The lowly krill averages only about two inches in length, but it represents a giant-sized link in the global food chain. These small, shrimp-like crustaceans are essentially the fuel that runs the engine of the Earth's marine ecosystems. Role in the Food Chain. read more
Krill feed on phytoplankton, which are microscopic, single-celled plants found on the ocean’s surface. Phytoplankton have chlorophyll with which to capture sunlight and undergo photosynthesis to convert it to energy. read more
Many animals feed on krill, ranging from smaller animals like fish or penguins to larger ones like seals and baleen whales. Disturbances of an ecosystem resulting in a decline in the krill population can have far-reaching effects. read more
Krill are eaten by whales, penguins, seals, squid, fish and people. Although krill are also eaten by hundreds of other animals, these are their greatest predators. Whales eat the larges amount of krill; the blue whale can eat up to four tons of krill each day. read more