Most of the shrimp you’ve ever eaten—or seen in a documentary—come from saltwater environments. They’re especially abundant in the Gulf of Mexico, the South Atlantic, and the warm coastal waters of Southeast Asia. Ever heard of the “Shrimp Capital of the World”? That’s the Gulf Coast, baby!
But don’t think they’re just lounging on sandy beaches. Deep-sea shrimp live thousands of feet down, where it’s pitch-black and freezing. They’ve got massive eyes and glow-in-the-dark bodies—basically, they’re the ocean’s coolest nightclub dancers.
Freshwater Surprises
Wait—did you think shrimp were only ocean dwellers? Nope! There are thousands of species that live in freshwater rivers, lakes, and even swamps. The famous Malaysian prawn is actually a giant freshwater shrimp that can grow as big as your forearm. (Yes, you read that right. Imagine that on the grill.)
You can find these little guys in places like the Amazon River, the Mississippi Delta, and even in the rice paddies of Thailand. It’s like they’re on a mission to colonize every drop of water on Earth.
The BC spot prawn. A relatively rare species. #sealife #oceanfloor #
