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Brown shrimp

Brown shrimp ©Alex Mustard/2020VISION

Brown shrimp

The brown shrimp blends perfectly with its seabed home and is found all around the coasts of the UK.

Scientific name

Crangon crangon

When to see

January to December

Species information

Category

Statistics

Length: Up to 8cm

Conservation status

Common

Habitats

About

The brown shrimp, also known as the common shrimp, lives in shallow, sheltered waters of muddy and sandy shores. It is especially common in estuaries, such as The Wash. It is mottled brown in colour, blending perfectly with their home on the seabed. They will bury themselves in the sand to escape predators such as birds and fish.

How to identify

There are several, very similar species of shrimp around our coasts. This is the most common, found in large numbers in estuaries. It is practically translucent with brown mottling and antennae almost as long as its body.

Distribution

Found in on sandy or muddy seabeds all round our coasts, particularly common in estuaries.

Did you know?

Brown shrimps can change colour to better match their surroundings using special cells called chromatophores.