Krill Facts for Kids
Krill are tiny shrimplike crustaceans that live in the ocean, often in huge groups. They may be small, but they are one of the most important foods for whales, seals, penguins, fish, squid, and many other marine animals.
Quick Krill Facts
- Animal Type: Marine crustacean
- Group: Krill order Euphausiacea
- Known For: Huge swarms, shrimplike bodies, open-ocean life, feeding on phytoplankton, whale food, larvae, and glowing organs in some species
- Habitat: Open ocean, cold seas, Antarctic waters, coastal waters, deep water by day, surface waters by night, and pelagic marine habitats depending on species
- Diet: Phytoplankton, algae, tiny plankton, detritus, and small organic particles filtered from seawater
What You’ll Learn
Learn 10 fun krill facts for kids with simple explanations, kid facts, quiz, glossary, and a krill activity.
These krill facts for kids are written in a simple way for kids, parents, teachers, and curious little fact-hunters.
10 Fun Krill Facts for Kids
1. Krill Are Animals
Krill are marine crustaceans, which means they are ocean animals related to shrimp and crabs.
Kid Decode: A krill is a tiny ocean snack with a giant job.
2. Krill Are Not True Shrimp
Krill look like shrimp, but they belong to a different crustacean group called Euphausiacea.
Kid Decode: They are shrimp-shaped, but not shrimp on the family paperwork.
3. Baby Krill Are Larvae
Krill hatch as larvae and pass through several young stages as they grow.
Kid Decode: A krill larva is a tiny drifting speck in the open sea.
4. Krill Can Form Huge Swarms
Many krill gather in large groups called swarms.
Kid Decode: A krill swarm can turn the ocean into a moving glitter cloud.
5. Krill Eat Phytoplankton
Krill feed on tiny plantlike plankton called phytoplankton and other small particles.
Kid Decode: They munch on the ocean’s microscopic salad.
6. Krill Feed Big Animals
Blue whales, penguins, seals, fish, squid, and seabirds may eat krill.
Kid Decode: Krill are the little lunch that supports enormous ocean neighbors.
7. Krill Live in the Open Ocean
Krill are pelagic animals, meaning they live in open water rather than on the seafloor.
Kid Decode: Their neighborhood is water, water, and more water.
8. Krill Have Gills on Swimming Legs
Krill have gills connected with their swimming legs, which helps separate them from true shrimp.
Kid Decode: Their breathing gear is parked near their paddling gear.
9. Some Krill Can Glow
Some krill have light-producing organs called photophores.
Kid Decode: That gives the tiny crustacean a little deep-sea sparkle trick.
10. Krill Help Ocean Food Webs
Krill connect tiny plankton to large predators, making them key animals in marine food webs.
Kid Decode: They are small links holding up a huge blue chain.
The Weirdest Krill Fact
Krill are tiny, but huge whales can depend on swarms of them for food.
Try This Krill Activity
Krill Drawing Activity
Draw a krill swarm in the open ocean. Add tiny shrimplike bodies, larvae, phytoplankton dots, a whale above, penguins and fish nearby, glowing photophore dots, blue water layers, and arrows showing krill moving through the food web.
Quick Krill Quiz
- What animal group are krill in? Answer: Marine crustaceans.
- What are baby krill called? Answer: Larvae.
- What tiny plantlike plankton do krill eat? Answer: Phytoplankton.
- What is a large group of krill called? Answer: A swarm.
- What huge ocean animals famously eat krill? Answer: Baleen whales, including blue whales.
Mini Glossary
- Marine Crustacean: An ocean animal in the same big group as crabs, shrimp, and lobsters.
- Larva: A young stage that looks different from the adult.
- Phytoplankton: Tiny plantlike organisms that drift in water.
- Pelagic: Living in open water away from the seafloor.
- Swarm: A large moving group of small animals.
Turn Krill Facts Into a Story
Turn these krill facts into a fun animal story with our free Animal Story Generator.
Try It FreeFact check note: Fact checked with Britannica krill resources, Britannica Kids krill resources, Britannica plankton resources, and trusted marine crustacean education references.