Types of Shrimp
Alabama Gulf Coast

Although white shrimp are usually found in less than 90 feet of water, they can be found occasionally in waters as deep as 300 feet. Young shrimp can be found in estuaries and areas with marshy grasses because they are protected from most predators there. White shrimp prefer waters that have muddy bottoms and decomposing vegetation.

They grow very quickly and can become up to eight inches in length. The lifespan of a white shrimp is less than one year. White shrimp have ten long and slim walking legs. They also have five pairs of legs for swimming. The antennas are long and about three times the length of their bodies. They are pale gray and the tail has a green hue to it. There is a yellow band across the abdominal area.

• Types of Shrimp: Pink Shrimp

Young pink shrimp are usually found in estuaries. When the water gets cold, they bury themselves into the water’s floor for protection from the cold. Adults can normally be found in hard sand or shell bottomed areas.

The lifespan of a pink shrimp is only about one year. They grow rather quickly to a length of more than eight inches. Pink shrimp have grooves on the dorsal area. They have ten walking legs and ten swimming legs. They usually have a dark pink or reddish spot on either side of the abdominal area. The tail has a blue band on it.

• Types of Shrimp: Brown Shrimp

Brown shrimp prefer living in shallow water of less than 180 feet deep. However they can be found in waters as deep as 350 feet. They prefer soft bottomed areas that are sandy or muddy in nature.

With a life expectancy of about a year and half, brown shrimp grow rather rapidly. They can usually grow to seven inches in length.

The back of the shell on brown shrimp is grooved. There are ten walking and ten swimming legs. Brown shrimp have tails with a red or green tint to them and have a purple colored band.

• Types of Shrimp: Royal Red Shrimp

Royal red shrimp are usually found in waters that are six hundred feet or more deep. They prefer murky waters that are a cool, fifty degrees.

Royal red shrimp do not have a very long lifespan. As with other shrimp, they grow and mature quickly. Royal red shrimp have been caught as large as 10 inches in length.

Usually, the royal red shrimp have a deep crimson color however; they can also be gray with a pink tint to the body.

It is an interesting fact that most of the shrimp sold in the United States is imported from other countries. If you have never eaten freshly caught Alabama Wild Shrimp, you are missing out on a delicious treat. Once you have tried it, the imported shrimp from the grocery store might taste like cardboard to you. Nothing is better than fresh Alabama Wild Shrimp!

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