Exploring the Habitat of Shrimp

Shrimp are a species of marine crustacean. More than 2,000 subspecies of shrimp are found all over the world. Shrimp are small in size with a hard, transparent exoskeleton. Shrimp are found in different habitats around the world. Each habitat needs water and a good food source, although shrimp have to watch out for lurking predators.

Types of Habitat

Shrimp live in rivers, oceans and lakes. They are bottom-dwellers, which means they are found on muddy or sandy river beds and ocean floors. Some of the smaller subspecies live inside sponges. Others, like the mantis shrimp, burrow into the sand, mud, coral crevices and rocks along the sea shore.

Food

Shrimp are omnivorous and need a plentiful supply of food. Shrimp eat algae and other plant particles, plus tiny animals, fish and plankton. Some shrimp are predators. For example, the pistol shrimp kills or stuns its prey by emitting a loud sound with its claw.

Water

All shrimp are marine animals. They spend most of their time swimming; each shrimp has five pairs of pleopods and a pair of uropods used for swimming. Most subspecies live in salt water, while others survive in fresh water. The fairy shrimp is a subspecies that is native to fresh water and swims continuously on its back.

Predators

The shrimp is low on the food chain and has many natural predators. Predators include large sea-dwelling animals such as whales and sharks. Crabs, sea urchins, starfish and sea birds also prey on shrimp.

Body Color

The color of a shrimp is influenced by its natural habitat. Some subspecies are able to change color to fit in with surroundings. Shrimp in tropical and sub-tropical habitats are brightly colored. Others are transparent so that predators have a difficult time spotting them. Brown and green shrimp are found in muddy river beds.