As vernal pool season approaches here in Vermont, the mystical fairy shrimp will also be making their yearly appearance. Yes, you read that correctly, Vermont shrimp exist but we don't suggest you eat them! This might be hard to believe as we have no ocean exposure. What we do have, are lots and lots of vernal pools! Fairy shrimp tend to be consistent in some locations and never appear in others. Mary Holland shares in her book Naturally Curious, the name fairy shrimp is thought to have come from their magical and unexplained appearance and then disappearance in vernal pools. Fossil records date fairy shrimp back to the Cambrian Period approximately 400 million years ago!
(Adapted from the Conservation Blog - Click here for the full version on fwcvt.org)