Prawn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dendrobranchiata |
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Dendrobranchiata
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Dendrobranchiata is a special group of crustaceans that includes many types of shrimp and prawns. These amazing creatures are a kind of decapod, which means they have ten legs. You might have seen them in seafood restaurants or at the grocery store!
Shrimp and prawns are very popular around the world for cooking. They are often caught by fishing boats or raised on farms. While they look quite similar, there are some cool differences that scientists use to tell them apart.
Prawns usually live in calm waters. They often hide among water plants to lay their eggs. While many prawns like warm, tropical waters, some kinds can be found in cooler areas, even in the Northern Hemisphere. Prawns eat tiny bits of food by filtering water. This is why you often find them near rocks or on the sea floor.
What's the Difference Between Shrimp and Prawns?
The words shrimp and prawn first came from Great Britain. Generally, shrimp is used for smaller types of these creatures. These smaller ones often look flatter from top to bottom and have a shorter nose-like part called a rostrum.
On the other hand, prawn is usually used for larger types. Prawns often look taller than they are wide and have a longer rostrum. But it can be a bit confusing because people don't always use these words the same way! For example, some people call a certain species an "Aesop shrimp," while others call it an "Aesop prawn."
How Different Countries Use the Words
Countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, which are part of the Commonwealth, usually follow the British way of using these words. So, in these places, "shrimp" means small, and "prawn" means large.
However, there are some exceptions. In Australia, some small species are called "prawns," and some larger ones are called "shrimp." A simple rule of thumb in New Zealand is: "Shrimp are small, usually less than three inches long, and caught in shallow water. Prawns are larger, up to twelve inches long, and caught by trapping or trawling."
In North America, especially the United States, "shrimp" is the more common word for almost all types. The word "prawn" is used less often. When it is used, it usually refers to very large shrimp or those that live in fresh water.
