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

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

Aug 4, 2025 16:51 PM

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
More News
British Airways aircraft taxiing at Heathrow Airport

Heathrow Charges to Rise Over Third Runway Plans

Jul 29, 2026 21:55 PM
Backlit bottles behind a cocktail bar

Paris’s De Vie Wins Major New Cocktail Bar Award

Jul 29, 2026 21:42 PM

Pensacola Gets a New Hilton Hotel for Longer Stays

Jul 29, 2026 21:39 PM

New 12-Seat Ferry Links Shoreham with Normandy

Jul 29, 2026 21:26 PM
easyJet aircraft taxiing at an airport

easyJet Opens Summer 2027 Bookings with 14 Million Seats

Jul 29, 2026 03:43 AM
Sunset over Málaga harbour and city centre

Spain’s Tourism Boom Contrasts with Holiday Cuts at Home

Jul 29, 2026 03:37 AM
Exterior rendering of a planned Marriott hotel in Egypt

Nine New Marriott Properties Planned Across Egypt

Jul 29, 2026 03:24 AM
Volotea aircraft flying with landing gear down

Volotea Drops Several Limoges Flights from September

Jul 29, 2026 03:11 AM
flydubai Boeing 737 MAX in flight

Direct Dubai–Budapest Flights Return This Week

Jul 29, 2026 03:08 AM

Riverside Cabin Retreat to Open at Scottish Castle

Jul 29, 2026 02:55 AM

Antwerp Gets Its First Direct Eurostar from London

Jul 28, 2026 22:02 PM
Entrance to The Venice Times Hotel

IHG’s First Vignette Hotel Opens in Venice

Jul 28, 2026 21:59 PM
Lufthansa Airbus A350 approaching the runway

Five Airlines End Free Seat Swaps on Long-Haul Flights

Jul 28, 2026 21:46 PM
Rocky trail on Mount Olympus at sunrise

Mount Olympus and D-Day Beaches Gain UNESCO Status

Jul 28, 2026 04:53 AM
Historic church in Faro under a clear blue sky

More Faro Flights Take Off from Glasgow Prestwick

Jul 28, 2026 04:47 AM

Marriott Adds a Stargazing Hotel Near Joshua Tree

Jul 28, 2026 04:34 AM

London’s 22-Day Station Shutdown Has Begun

Jul 27, 2026 23:21 PM
Close-up of an easyJet aircraft fuselage

easyJet Opens 14 Million Summer Seats Tomorrow

Jul 27, 2026 23:18 PM
Edinburgh skyline with the castle at sunset

Edinburgh’s Tourist Tax Is Now on the Bill

Jul 27, 2026 18:55 PM
Great Sphinx and pyramid at Giza, Egypt

The Egypt Passport Rule Catching Families at the Gate

Jul 27, 2026 18:42 PM
People sitting beneath mist cooling system

Where Europe’s Holiday Weather Is Turning Dangerous

Jul 27, 2026 18:39 PM
Condor Airbus A320 at Münster/Osnabrück Airport at night

Condor Brings Chania to Münster for the First Time

Jul 27, 2026 18:26 PM

The Passport That Opens More Borders Than Any Other

Jul 27, 2026 18:13 PM

Ryanair Warns Passport Queues Won’t Hold the Plane

Jul 27, 2026 18:07 PM
Harare city centre at dusk

London Gets Its Harare Link Back After 14 Years

Jul 27, 2026 00:14 AM
Confiscated liquids, tools and toys at Manchester Airport

Why Manchester Airport Is Confiscating Yoghurt and Toy Guns

Jul 27, 2026 00:01 AM