Prawns and Shrimps

A Study of Crustaceans

Science experiment

We watched two documentaries on shrimps and prawns today. One was from the National Geographic and how these animals clean the waters and the other was from How It’s Done that explained how they are farmed.

At Spiny Babbler we study the arthropods on a regular basis. Prawns and shrimps are arthropods. We learned that there are over 2,000 different shrimp species. Their size varies from very small to as big as an arm. They are good at swimming.

Like all arthropods, these crustaceans have exoskeleton. Their bodies are divided into head, thorax, and abdomen. Shrimps have three pairs of legs and gills are plate-like.

A sample species is the Indian prawn and scientists call it the Fenneropenaeus indicus. Both prawns and shrimps belong to the order Decapoda. Shrimp belongs to suborder Pleocyemata prawn while prawn belongs to suborder Dendrobranchiata.

Shrimp species can make a snapping sound that is louder than any other marine noise by hitting their large and small pincers together. They do this to communicate or to stun their prey.

Shrimps are omnivorous. They consume microscopic plants and animal matter by filtering the water around them or sifting through the ocean floor. Certain types of shrimp also catch and eat small fish.

Both prawns and shrimps are considered gourmet food around the world. They are low in calories and high in protein. They contain a cancer-fighting mineral called selenium.