Kingdom : Animalia Class : Crustacea Family : Caridea Scientific Name : Caridea Size : 0.3 - 5cm (0.1 - 2in) Life Span : 1 - 2 years Skin Type : Shell Special Features : Transparent shell and beady eyes
- Shrimps are marine crustaceans found in water all around the world.
- They are mostly found at the river beds and ocean beds worldwide.
- They are very small in size measuring between 0.3cm to 5 cm.
- There are around 2000 species of shrimp in the world.
- They are very closely related to prawns.
- Shrimps and prawns distinguish themselves from other crustaceans by their ability to swim.
- The major difference between shrimps and prawns is in their gill structure.
- Though they are invertebrates, they have an exoskeleton which is the shell of the shrimp.
- Their shells are colorless and transparent making them hard to spot in water.
- Shrimps are known to filter sand and particles in water.
- They are omnivores feeding on algae, plankton, tiny fish and other plant particles.
- Interestingly, a species of shrimp is known to stun its prey by making a loud snapping noise with its claws.
- Shrimps are preyed upon by many animals like- fish, crustaceans, starfish, sea birds, whales and humans.
- The female shrimp is known to lay up to a million eggs at once which hatch after 2 weeks.
- The tiny shrimp after hatching are a part of plankton till they are big enough to hunt.
- Shrimps stay in large groups called schools and are very adaptable to the change in water conditions.