Did you know that shrimps can grow back their limbs?  

If you are a seafood lover, chances are that you must have enjoyed quite a few delicious shrimp dishes by now. Well, shrimps are more than just a tasty treat. They are a truly unique species that live in oceans, rivers and lakes all around the world. Despite their small size, shrimps are packed with interesting and quirky characteristics that set them apart from other sea creatures. With their incredible swimming abilities and regeneration abilities, they are truly one-of-a-kind. Let’s take a deep dive into the world of shrimps, exploring some fascinating facts about these amazing creatures.  

Shrimps have a cancer fighting mineral 
Do you know that a shrimp can help fight cancer? It's true! Shrimps have a special property that can help reduce the growth of tumours and lower your risk of getting cancer. This amazing ability is due to a mineral called selenium, which shrimps have in abundance. Selenium is an antioxidant that helps your body fight off harmful cancer-causing agents. When you eat shrimps, the selenium in them helps stimulate your body's natural defences against cancer-causing agents. So, not only are shrimps tasty and fun to eat, they are also really good for you! Adding shrimp to your diet can give you that extra boost you need to stay healthy and strong.  

They can regenerate their limbs! 
Shrimps have a very special talent. They can grow back their limbs! This means that if a shrimp loses a leg or an antenna, it can regrow that all by itself. This amazing ability happens during the shrimp's growth phase. As a shrimp grows, it periodically sheds the old exoskeleton, which is like a hard outer shell that protects their body. This process, called moulting, removes the old exoskeleton and develops a new one underneath it. During this process, the shrimp can also regrow its missing limbs. However, sometimes one moult is not enough, and the shrimp needs to moult 2 or 3 times in order to fully recover.  

A shrimp’s heart is in its head 
The heart of a shrimp is in its head! Well, actually, it's in the thorax, which is the part of the shrimp's body right next to its head. Because the head and thorax are covered by the same hard outer shell called an exoskeleton, some people think of them as one big head. Even though the heart of a shrimp is in an unexpected place, it works just like a human heart. It pumps blood throughout the shrimp's body and helps in keeping it healthy and alive. Shrimps may be small, but their bodies are full of amazing surprises like this! 

The many colours of a shrimp 
Shrimps come in different colours and shapes. This is which makes them really interesting to look at. Interestingly, shrimps can even change colour. When they need to hide from danger or predators, some species of shrimps have the ability to change their colour to match their surroundings. So, if they are in a place with lots of green plants, they can turn green too. It's like wearing a camouflage suit to stay hidden. In tropical and subtropical areas, shrimps can have really bright and colourful patterns. But in muddy riverbeds, they may be brown or green to blend in with the environment. And did you know that some shrimps are transparent? This means they are see-through, making it hard for predators to even notice them!