There are more than 70 species of salps worldwide, with Salpa fusiformis being the most common. Salps can be found from the ocean surface down to around 2,600 feet (800 meters) deep. They are barrel shaped, ranging from 0.08 inches (0.2 centimeters) at birth to about 4 inches (10 cm) in adulthood. They can join together in long chains that drift in the sea, following the tides.
Salps can also propel themselves via jet propulsion. They pump seawater through their bodies with bands of muscles that surround their bodies. As the water is pushed through their bodies and out of their rear, food is collected and they are propelled forwards. Because of this, they are members of a group known as “sea squirts.”
These weird little balls of jelly have incredibly fast life cycles, reaching maturity in just 48 hours. They are believed to be the fastest-growing multicellular animal on Earth, increasing their body length by up to 10% per hour.
“Writer Fuel” is a series of cool real-world stories that might inspire your little writer heart. Check out our Writer Fuel page on the LimFic blog for more inspiration.
