Whale lice

I was asked what Whale lice were... or rather a Whale louse... because that would be one...

They are little critters that live on whales.  Now, the person that asked me what they were is a fellow homeschool mom, and I am confidant that she already has looked up what they are....  but for the rest of you who may not have looked it up........ and were too chicken to ask what in the world it was, here it is...

 whale louse is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cyamidae. They are related to the better-known skeleton shrimp, most species of which are found in shallower waters. Whale lice are external parasites, found in skin lesions, genital folds, nostrils and eyes of marine mammals of the order Cetacea. These include not only whales but also dolphins and porpoises.

SO..... there is your more than you needed to know definition........

Here is what they look like. ( yes this is an acutal family photo :) )

It is the little critter on the left.   When you have boys, that also happen to like bugs, these things are like the rolly-pollies of the sea during the times the whales migrate between their fishing grounds and their mating grounds....

Any-hoo.... that's what they are.  Don't you feel smarter now?