Species Spotlight: Learn About the Snapping Shrimp
Across the world’s waterways there are some truly fascinating creatures that often have unique features and adaptations to help them thrive in their environments. In this blog, we’re going to walk you through just one of these species.
Known as the snapping shrimp, this little crustacean has a particularly interesting characteristic.
What is a snapping shrimp?
The snapping shrimp are part of the Alpheidae family, with hundreds of different species. They are primarily characterised by having one particularly enlarged claw, which we’ll reveal more about later!
Snapping shrimp are also known as pistol shrimp, and they are found in shallower coastal waters around the world. They dig small burrows and use them for shelter, amongst habitats like coral reefs, seagrass flats and oyster reefs.
Snapping shrimp are only up to 5cm long, with translucent shells in shades of green, brown, grey or even red and white patterns.
As their name suggests, they are known for making a loud snapping noise, but how do they do this and why?
How do snapping shrimps make their sound?
That enlarged claw we mentioned earlier plays the main role in the shrimp being able to produce this noise. But it’s not quite as simple as us clicking our fingers. Instead, the snapping shrimp closes that claw so fast that it forces out an incredibly powerful jet of water.
In its place, there is a cavitation bubble that acts like a vacuum. When the surrounding water pressure causes the bubble to collapse, the collapse produces a loud noise. It’s thought that this noise exceeds 200 decibels. To put this into perspective, a normal talking conversation is around 60 decibels and a jet taking off is around 150 decibels.
Why does the snapping shrimp make such a loud noise?
This loud noise has a number of purposes. Firstly, that jet of water we mentioned can actually stun its prey or kill it altogether. However, the snapping shrimp can make this noise to deter predators and even communicate with other shrimp too.
So, the noise isn’t just for fun. It has a job to do across the likes of hunting, protection and communication.
5 facts you should know about the snapping shrimp
What else should you know about the snapping shrimp? There’s so much more to this family of crustaceans than its impressive noise.
- They can regrow their claws: When a claw is lost or dropped to escape a predator, the shrimp can use the molting process to help restore a mismatched set of claws.
- They are thought to have a relationship with goby fish: While the shrimp digs its burrows, the goby will stand watch and look for threats. This is known as a mutualism partnership, where the animals trade survival skills.
- They can disrupt navy sonar: The loud noise from the snapping shrimp can create additional background noise in the ocean, which can scramble military sonar and tracking.
- The noise creates heat as well as sound: So much energy is produced when the bubble collapses that it actually creates a burst of heat. It’s thought this reaches up to 4,000°C.
- Snapping shrimp are scavengers: They are omnivores and will eat a variety of small fish, worms, crustaceans and shellfish.
See snapping shrimp for yourself at Deep Sea World
Want to put your new knowledge into practice? You can see snapping shrimp here at Deep Sea World! Don’t forget to buy your tickets in advance and you’ll be able to enjoy a day full of fascinating creatures from poison dart frogs to sand tiger sharks, not to mention seals, stingrays and piranhas!
