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Tiny creature ID

FritillariaScotlandFritillariaScotland Posts: 67
in Wildlife gardening
Hi all, I wonder if anyone could ID this wee beastie for me? I've found it in my micro pond today. 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I'd guess it's a nymph of some kind, or a water louse, or something similar.
    Dragonflies spend a lot of time as nymphs before becoming adults, so it could be something of that sort, although they usually have a more elongated body. They have six legs, but I can't really tell from your pic if that's the case. 
    Someone else may be able to give you a better idea though  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    Freshwater shrimp. https://www.naturespot.org.uk/species/freshwater-shrimp
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    I knew someone would ID it properly  :)
    Just don't be in a hurry to 'throw it on the barbie'... ;)

    I wonder if it's come in on a plant. It seems a bit random that you have it @FritillariaScotland. We've previously had minnows in ponds which have been introduced by bought-in plants. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • FritillariaScotlandFritillariaScotland Posts: 67
    This is a micro pond my daughter and I  made from an old washing up bowl about 5 weeks ago! No idea how this freshwater shrimp got there, maybe an egg stuck to a bird's leg and it dropped in the water as the bird landed for a drink? Our dunnocks and sparrows really like a drink from the "pond", they don't really use the bird bath at the other end of the garden. 

    But I'm chuffed we now have a whole shrimp living in the pond, thank you all for your help! 
  • wild edgeswild edges Posts: 10,497
    You'll soon have enough for a cocktail :)
    If you can keep your head, while those around you are losing theirs, you may not have grasped the seriousness of the situation.
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