Shrimp

ocean · crustaceans · tiny swimmers

Bendy body builders. Shrimp have long, curved bodies made up of segments that bend and flex like a spring. This shape helps them dart through the water super fast to escape danger.

Swimming superstars. Unlike many other crustaceans that walk on the ocean floor, shrimp are champion swimmers. They use their fan-shaped tail to propel themselves backwards through the water with quick, powerful flicks.

Ten walking legs. Shrimp belong to a group called decapods, which means they have ten legs total. Some of these legs are just for walking, while others have special claws for grabbing food.

Live almost everywhere. You can find shrimp in almost every ocean on Earth, from shallow coral reefs to the deepest, darkest trenches. Some shrimp even live in fresh water rivers and streams.

Tiny but mighty. Most shrimp are pretty small creatures, but there are thousands of different species. Some are barely bigger than your pinky nail, while giant varieties can grow to be more than a foot long.