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9 months ago
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Sandhills resembling 'mini volcanoes' have popped up along a Texas beach that staff said play a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem.
Footage of the intriguing sand mounds appeared scattered at Quintana Beach County Park, about 70 miles south of Houston.
Staff shared the bizarre video Sunday morning as they explained that these miniature volcanoes were built by ghost shrimp and appeared due to the 'extremely low tide.'
Ghost shrimp, also known as glass shrimp, are crustaceans that are known to burrow themselves deep in seafloor sediment. As they do this, they push oxygen into the sand.
Mini volcanic-like structures s laid across the beach in Quintana, Texas, about 70 miles south of Houston on Sunday morning
Staff members at the park said that the structures were built by ghost shrimp - small and translucent crustaceans that are known to burrow themselves deep in seafloor sediment
The short video of these interesting sand creations first shows two volcano-like mounds, each with a tiny hole at the top of them.
On the right side, sand starts to push up, opening and closing the hole. The video then moves onto a shot of the rest of the beach where countless mini volcanoes lay.
The small and transparent shrimp are commonly found on the water's edge just before they burry themselves deep into the sandy ground in search of food.
Ghost shrimp are three to four inches long and are capable of digging holes as far as four feet deep.
According to a post from Quintana Beach County Park, as these creatures dig their holes and spread oxygen, they help organic matter decompose, enrich the sediment, and provide food for other creatures.
The shrimp were discovered in the 1800s and were most commonly used to feed other animals.
The holes they dig are also used as a source of protection for the creature's soft, fragile bodies.
National Park Service reported that four 'distinct species' of ghost shrimp have been discovered and typically exist in the waters in the Gulf of Mexico.
'Despite their shrimp-like appearance, they are actually more closely related to crabs,' the National Park Service said.
Fishermen are also known to suck the shrimp out of the ground to use as bait, but they are only allowed to hunt 20 shrimp a day.
The right sand mound is seen puffing sand out of a hole that kept opening and closing
Ghost shrimp are a vital part of the ocean's ecosystem, as they drive oxygen into the sand through the holes that they dig that can go as far as four feet deep
Even with that restriction, some national parks and beaches strictly prohibit the capturing of these shrimp. Birds also eat the crustaceans out of the ground as a natural food source.
Interestingly, the shrimp that push oxygen into sediment can survive for up to six days without it.
The tiny volcano-like structures that create a bumpy appearance along sandy beaches are known to appear if there is a low tide.
Besides being found on beaches like the one in Texas, ghost shrimp are also kept as house pets that can be housed in freshwater aquariums.
The crustacean also has the capability to clean aquariums as they scavenge for food, leftover scraps and algae, according to The Aquarium Guide.
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