Where do beach fleas inhabit? - briefly
Beach fleas are typically found in the upper intertidal zone of sandy shorelines, residing among seaweed debris and damp sand close to the water’s edge. They thrive in moist, organic‑rich environments where tidal action periodically inundates their habitat.
Where do beach fleas inhabit? - in detail
Beach fleas, commonly known as sand hoppers, occupy the supralittoral zone of marine shorelines. They concentrate in the narrow band between the high‑tide line and the first line of vegetation, where sand remains damp but is not regularly submerged.
Their microhabitat includes:
- Moist sand particles that retain humidity after wave splash.
- Accumulations of seaweed, kelp, and other wrack where organic material provides food and shelter.
- Crevices between sand grains, under shells, and within small burrows they excavate.
- The uppermost layer of dune grass litter, where shade and moisture persist longer.
Geographically, these amphipods are found on temperate and subtropical coasts worldwide. Populations thrive along the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America, the Pacific shores of Asia and the United States, as well as on the southern coasts of Australia and New Zealand. In colder regions they retreat to sheltered coves where the sand stays warm enough during the summer months.
Environmental parameters governing their distribution are:
- Salinity gradients low enough to avoid direct immersion but high enough to sustain marine‑derived detritus.
- Temperatures between 10 °C and 25 °C, which support metabolic activity and reproduction.
- Periodic moisture from tide splash or precipitation, preventing desiccation.
- Presence of organic detritus, such as decaying algae, which supplies the primary food source.
Behaviorally, beach fleas emerge at night to feed on decomposing plant material and microalgae, retreating into the sand or under wrack during daylight to avoid predators and drying. Their burrowing activity aerates the upper sand layer, influencing the micro‑ecosystem of the shoreline.