'Alien' shrimp emerge in Australia after heavy rain

A small, strange-looking creature has been spotted in increasing numbers around central Australia.

They belong to a crustacean species called Shield Shrimp which Australia's ABC News describes as "an alien tadpole with a double-pronged tail."

And, as a Facebook post by Northern Territory Parks and Wildlife explains, the reason for their recent uptick in numbers is because heavy rains have caused their dormant eggs in the desert to come alive.

In fact, one expert says that these hearty eggs have adapted to survive with little to no moisture for as long as seven years.

Once hatched, these creatures can reach a maximum length of about 3.5 inches, notes The Telegraph.