- Numerous volcanic-like structures appeared in Quintana Beach County Park
- The mounds are made by crustaceans called ghost shrimp, which are crucial to the ocean's ecosystem
- Park staff said this happened because of the low tide
Sand hills have emerged along a Texas beach that resemble “mini volcanoes” that staff say play a crucial role in the ocean's ecosystem.
Images of the intriguing sand hills appeared scattered throughout Quintana Beach County Park, about 70 miles south of Houston.
The staff shared the bizarre video on Sunday morning, explaining that these miniature volcanoes were built by ghost shrimp and appeared as a result of “extremely low tides.”
Ghost shrimp, also called glass shrimp, are crustaceans known to burrow deep into the sediment on the seabed. As they do this, they push oxygen into the sand.
Mini-volcanic-like structures were laid Sunday morning on the beach of Quintana, Texas, about 70 miles south of Houston
Park officials said the structures were built by ghost shrimp, small and translucent crustaceans known to burrow deep into seafloor sediment.
The short video of these interesting sand creations first shows two volcano-like hills, each with a small hole at the top.
On the right side, sand begins to push up, opening and closing the hole. The video then cuts to a shot of the rest of the beach where there were numerous mini volcanoes.
The small and transparent shrimp are often found at the water's edge, just before they burrow deep into the sandy soil in search of food.
Ghost shrimp are seven to ten centimeters long and can dig holes up to one meter deep.
According to a post from Quintana Beach County Park, as these creatures dig their holes and distribute oxygen, they help break down organic matter, enrich the sediment and provide food for other creatures.
The shrimp were discovered in the 19th century and were usually used to feed other animals.
The holes they dig are also used as protection for the creature's soft, fragile bodies.
National Park Service reported discovering four “different species” of ghost shrimp commonly found in the waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
“Despite their shrimp-like appearance, they are actually more closely related to crabs,” says the National Park Service said.
Fishermen are also known to suck the shrimp out of the ground to use as bait, but they are only allowed to hunt 20 shrimp per day.
You see the right sand hill blowing sand out of a hole that kept opening and closing
Ghost shrimp are an essential part of the ocean's ecosystem as they drive oxygen into the sand through the holes they dig, which can go up to a meter deep
Even with that restriction, some national parks and beaches strictly prohibit the fishing of these shrimp. Birds also eat the crustaceans from the ground as a natural food source.
Interestingly, the shrimp that push oxygen into the sediment can survive for up to six days without oxygen.
The small volcano-like structures that create a bumpy appearance along sandy beaches are known to appear at low tide.
In addition to being found on beaches like those in Texas, ghost shrimp are also kept as pets that can be housed in freshwater aquariums.
The crustacean also has the ability to clean aquariums as they forage for food, leftover scraps and algae, according to The aquarium guide.