Fairy shrimps are small freshwater crustaceans closely related to sea monkeys. They typically measure up to one inch in length, but some, like the giant fairy shrimp, can grow up to three inches. These intriguing creatures possess 11 pairs of appendages, which they use for swimming, respiration, and filter-feeding. Their diet includes algae, plankton, and bacteria found in their aquatic habitats, and they are adept at scraping food from rocks and debris. Fairy shrimp lifespans vary by species, ranging from a few weeks to several months. They typically mature in approximately two weeks, influenced by environmental conditions. Upon maturity, female fairy shrimps can lay hundreds of eggs known as cysts, which are resilient to extreme temperatures and can remain dormant in soil until favorable conditions for hatching emerge. Fairy shrimps are well-suited for temporary freshwater environments like vernal pools, seasonal ponds, and other shallow water habitats that appear during wet seasons but may dry up during the year. Their ability to enter a state of diapause enables them to survive adverse conditions in these ever-changing habitats.