An unexpected miracle: Burning Man festival turned into a desert of dinosaur shrimp

By Tychyna TetianaOct 9, 2023 14:53 PMNews
Share:
An unexpected miracle: Burning Man festival turned into a desert of dinosaur shrimp
Triops. Source: wikipedia

The famous Burning Man festival in 2023 was marked by several surprises. First, torrential rains turned the usually arid Black Rock Desert into a wet hellish landscape, with thousands of people trapped in water.

But that's not all, as the powerful downpours caused three-eyed "dinosaur shrimp" to emerge from the ground. These creatures are also known as tadpole shrimp, or triops, according to the NewYorkPost article.

The unexpected guests created an amazing landscape. When they began to appear from the ground in front of the dumbfounded festival visitors. The swamp that the desert had turned into turned out to be an oasis for these unusual shrimps.

Experts emphasize that triopes can stay underground for years before being stirred up by rainwater. They are waiting for a favorable opportunity to suddenly appear on the earth's surface.

The most noticeable features of tadpole shrimp are their shield-like body and a third eye used to detect changes in light and infrared waves. This makes these creatures look extremely futuristic.

However, triopes are among the oldest creatures living on earth today, as they have evolved since the time when the planet was dominated by the former supercontinent Gondwana. That's why the story about the appearance of prehistoric shrimp hatching during one of the largest festivals in the United States has made a lot of noise.

Some even compared the situation to a plot from a bad horror movie. However, experts say that these creatures pose no threat to humans. Instead, they prefer to feed on plant material, algae, and even mosquito larvae.

Top Articles
Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Top 10 reasons for flight cancelation by airlines: a clear algorithm of actions to get compensation

Oct 16, 2025 16:22 PM
Smartphone with eSIM logo surrounded by travel essentials like flowers, map, camera, and sunglasses

Where to Buy eSIM at the Best Price: A Full Review of Tariffs and Options

Aug 8, 2025 10:54 AM

Internet on a Cruise: How to Avoid Huge Bills for Connectivity

Aug 6, 2025 09:14 AM

No More SIM Swaps: The eSIM Travel Solution You’ll Actually Use

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM
More News
View of Helsinki Cathedral and waterfront buildings seen from the shoreline

New Beijing–Helsinki Link Takes Flight in Spring 2026

Jan 17, 2026 01:33 AM
Daytime cityscape of Malaga with cathedral and residential buildings

LOT Opens Direct Warsaw-Malaga Route

Jan 16, 2026 23:56 PM

Canadians Urged to Pre-Pay Entry Fee for Colombia

Jan 15, 2026 21:06 PM

New Iberian Links as Air Europa Expands

Jan 15, 2026 20:33 PM
Fine dining-style plate with fish, beetroot and vegetables on a white table

Air France Adds Michelin Flair on African Routes

Jan 15, 2026 19:31 PM
Panoramic view of Istanbul’s skyline with ferries crossing the Bosphorus

New Gdańsk–Istanbul Route Adds a Useful Baltic Link

Jan 15, 2026 18:32 PM
View of Alicante coastline, marina and historic fortress under clear skies

New Nonstop Belgrade–Alicante Flights Set for Summer

Jan 15, 2026 07:31 AM
TAP Air Portugal aircraft landing at Porto Airport

Porto Gains New Long-Haul Links and TAP Investment

Jan 15, 2026 06:18 AM
Austrian Airlines Airbus taxiing on runway

Austrian Airlines Sets Plan for Free High-Speed Wi-Fi

Jan 14, 2026 20:04 PM

Summer 2026 Brings New Ryanair Links for Ancona

Jan 14, 2026 19:04 PM

Zurich Joins Glasgow’s Summer Flight Map

Jan 14, 2026 18:17 PM
Line of Ryanair passengers boarding a Boeing 737 at an airport.

Ryanair Calls Out OTAs for Inflated Fees in New Price Survey

Jan 14, 2026 04:37 AM
EU flag displayed on historic brick building.

EU Lawmakers Back Stricter Air Passenger Rules, Airlines Push Back

Jan 14, 2026 03:08 AM
Lufthansa Airbus aircraft taxiing at an airport.

Lufthansa Group Plans Fast Free In-Flight Wi-Fi Across Entire Fleet

Jan 14, 2026 02:32 AM
Emirates aircraft taxiing before departure.

Helsinki Gets Year-Round Dubai Link With Emirates

Jan 14, 2026 02:02 AM

Taxi Strike Slows Airport Access in Rome

Jan 13, 2026 19:05 PM

Ice Disrupts Flights Across Central Europe as Airports Halt Operations

Jan 13, 2026 16:03 PM
Panoramic view of Naples with Mount Vesuvius and the Gulf of Naples under a partly cloudy sky

Wizz Air Links Naples With Palma de Mallorca Ahead of Summer 2026

Jan 13, 2026 15:24 PM
Husky team pulling a sled through a snowy forest trail.

Spring Lapland Becomes Easier to Plan for Snow-Lovers

Jan 13, 2026 02:33 AM
Museum exterior of the Guggenheim Bilbao beside the river on a clear day

New Milan–Bilbao Route Boosts Northern Italy’s Direct Links to Spain

Jan 13, 2026 01:34 AM
Finnair aircraft parked at snowy Helsinki Airport apron

Finnair Refreshes Long-Haul Business Class With Nordic Flair

Jan 13, 2026 00:31 AM
Aerial view of Santander coastline in northern Spain

Wizz Air Adds New Summer Links From Bulgaria to Spain, Greece and Poland

Jan 12, 2026 23:35 PM

KLM Restores Regular Schedule After Severe Winter Disruption

Jan 12, 2026 22:37 PM

Weather Warning Grounds Loganair Flights Across Scotland

Jan 11, 2026 16:20 PM
Passport control sign at a European airport

EES Expansion Triggers Calls to Ease Border Bottlenecks

Jan 10, 2026 03:37 AM
In-flight meal with charcuterie and red wine

TAP Brings Portuguese Wine Culture On Board in 2026

Jan 10, 2026 02:32 AM