Gastrotrich
Gastrotrich
Invertebrate
The gastrotrich is a microscopic water creature that lives its whole life in only about three days, swimming among grains of sand on tiny beating hairs.
💡 Fun Facts
- A microscopic aquatic worm that lives a very fast life.
- They go from birth to natural death in just three days.
- Covered in tiny hairs that help them swim.
Name Story
Gastrotricha (phylum)
means “the hairy-bellies”
What does its name mean?
- Gastrotricha — belly-hairs, hairy bellyGreek (gastēr, 'belly' + thrix, 'hair')
- hairyback — a friendly English nickname for the groupEnglish
Far too small to see without a microscope, these tiny water creatures glide along on dense rows of waving "hairs" beneath their bellies — which is exactly what their comical name says.