The Obscure Species Club

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What do delta green ground beetles, valley elderberry longhorn beetles, Butte County meadowfoam, vernal pool tadpool and fairy shrimp, and fleshy owl’s-clover have in common? They’re all either threatened or endangered species found in California, and it’s their turn to feel seen! They may not be as big or fluffy as our most well-known listed species, but these species are important, too. Join Sprite, the vernal pool fairy shrimp, at the Obscure Species Club as the underdogs try to figure out how to get their share of attention and love. 

A 4 panel comic. Panel 1 says, At the Obscure Species Club. A delta green ground beetle says to a small group of species, Everyone, we've got an image problem. In panel 2 the beetle says, that is, we've got no image, but I have a plan. The species in the background say, oooh. In panel 3, the beetle is wearing fox ears and holding up four headbands with other animal ears. The beetle says, if there's one thing people love, it's the fuzzy ears of cuter animals. If we have these, people will love us too. Offscreen, someone is saying, Even me? In panel 4, the beetle has put a headband with deer ears and antlers on a plant in a pot with small yellow flowers. The beetle says, even you, fleshy owl's clover. Even you. The plant looks flustered somehow.
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A 4 panel comic. Panel 1 says, At the Obscure Species Club. A delta green ground beetle is wearing a fox ear headband and gesturing to a pile of animal ear headbands on the ground. The beetle says to a small group of other species, Everyone, pick a headband. We're doing a photoshoot. In panel 2, the beetle approaches a nervous looking vernal pool fairy shrimp while holding a rabbit ear headband. The beetle says, what's the matter, Sprite? The shrimp says, I don't think this will help. I mean, look at me. The shrimp is referring to its shrimpy face. In panel 3, the beetle says, I think you'll be surprised. Just try it! The shrimp is holding the rabbit ear headband and still looks nervous. I guess I can, the shrimp says. In panel 4, the vernal pool fairy shrimp is wearing the rabbit ears and blushing against a sparkly pink background. The shrimp says, am I cute?
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A 4 panel comic. Panel 1 has artwork of a moody Sierra Nevada red fox looking toward the viewer in sunset lighting in a forest. Text reads, The elegance. Panel 2 has artwork of a riparian brush rabbit sitting in grass on the edge of water with a flower in its mouth looking cute. Text reads, the fluff! Panel 3 has artwork of a black, red, and light blue San Francisco Garter Snake in grass. Text reads, the vibrancy! Panel 4 has a photo of a vernal pool fairy shrimp with words and drawings added over the photo like in a photo editor. Rabbit ears and wings have been drawn onto the shrimp. The words say, so cute! wow. There are drawings of flowers, hearts, sparkles, and a rainbow. There is a drawing of the eyes emoji looking at the shrimp and a number one hundred emoji.
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A 4 panel comic. Panel 1 says, at the obscure species club. A vernal pool tadpole shrimp says, maybe wearing cute animal ears would make more people notice us, but we shouldn't have to change ourselves just to be liked. In panel 2, the tadpole shrimp walks up to the fairy shrimp, who is wearing rabbit ears, and says, I like you just how you are, Sprite! The fairy shrimp says, Really? I think you're cool, too! Your family has been around for over three hundred million years! In panel 3, the fairy shrimp has taken off the rabbit ears and is looking hopeful. The fairy shrimp says, Maybe if I can learn to see what's cool about fairy shrimp, other people will see it, too. In panel 4, there is a photo of a fairy shrimp and four facts about fairy shrimp. The text reads, What's cool about fairy shrimp? One. Fairy shrimp live in temporary pools and puddles that fill with rain. Eggs can live for decades, maybe even centures, in dry, cracked soil like seeds waiting for water. Two. When there is water, only some eggs hatch so that if it dries too soon, there are still eggs for the next rain. Three. Fairy shrimp swim upside down with their twenty two legs kicking upward. Four. Scientists study fairy shrimp to understand how organisms might live on other planets with harsh conditions.
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Want to learn more about California's listed species that you may never have heard of? You can start here! 

Story Tags

Art
Endangered and/or Threatened species

Written By

Published

Edited By

Meghan Snow
Wildlife Wonders

Media Contacts

Cal Robinson

Facilities

Sacramento Fish and Wildlife Office

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