Facts About Ocean Shrimp

Shrimp, like lobsters and crabs, are crustaceans in the Decapoda order, Decapoda referring to 10 legs. Shrimp are further classified as Caridea, of which there are over 2,500 known species. Most are marine dwellers.

  1. Confusion with Prawns

    • The word shrimp is often used as a catch-all word, referring to creatures like prawns that aren't true shrimp, though they are related. Shrimp and prawns have different plating arrangements on their abdomens.

    Distribution

    • Shrimp live in oceans all over the world: near shores, in cold waters, in tropical waters and in the deep sea on the ocean bottom.

    Reproduction

    • A female shrimp broods her eggs under her abdomen, the eggs glued to hair on her pleopods (legs). She carries the eggs around until they hatch. (Prawn release eggs into currents.)

    Swimming

    • With all their legs, naturally, shrimp walk around on the ocean floor. They also use their legs to swim, which is why pleopods are also called swimmerets. Shrimp use their tails to steer.

    Behavior

    • Ocean shrimp do interesting things. For instance, snapping shrimp burrow and make snapping sounds with their claws. Some shoot bubbles that stun prey with sound waves.