Comprehensive Description

Traskorchestia traskiana (formerly known as Orchestia traskiana) is a beach-dwelling amphipod found along the Pacific coast of North America (Bousfield 1982). Amphipods are small crustaceans, the vast majority of which are marine. Traskorchestia traskiana, however, is among the many amphipod species that have adapted to life outside the sea. These are sometimes known as "beach fleas" as a consequence of their bouncy agility, but they are not fleas and they do not bite.