The brown shrimp blends perfectly with its seabed home and is found all around the coasts of the UK.
Species information
Statistics
Length: Up to 8cm
Conservation status
Common
When to see
January to December
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.