Water Flea — printable fact sheet

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Water Flea

Daphnia pulex

Daphnia, commonly known as water fleas, are small planktonic crustaceans found in freshwater bodies around the world. These transparent organisms are known for their jerky, flea-like swimming motion, which is created by the rapid beating of their large antennae. Daphnia play a v…

Classification

Invertebrate

Family

Daphniidae

Habitat

Freshwater ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams

Diet

Herbivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

1-3 months

Weight

0.001–0.003 grams

Scientific name

Daphnia pulex

Did you know?

Daphnia can enter a dormant state by producing hardy eggs that survive harsh conditions, allowing populations to persist even in temporary water bodies.
Daphnia have a translucent body, allowing you to observe their beating heart and internal organs under a microscope. They are widely used in scientific research to study the effects of toxins and environmental changes. Daphnia can reproduce both sexually and asexually, depending on environmental conditions.

What I learned

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