Classification: Crustacean.
Level of endangerment: Most of the snapping shrimps are not listed among the endangered animals, except for the Crinoid snapping shrimp. It is threatened by reef destruction and siltation.
Population: The family is diverse and worldwide in distribution, consisting of about 600 species within 38 or more genera. The two most prominent genera are Alpheus and Synalpheus, with species numbering well over 250 and 100.
Habitat: Most snapping shrimp dig burrows and are common inhabitants of coral reefs, submerged seagrass flats and oyster reefs. While most genera and species are found in tropical and temperate coastal and marine waters, Betaeus inhabits cold seas and Potamalpheops is found only in freshwater caves.
Nourishment: Omnivores.
Breeding: The species Synalpheus regalis lives inside sponges in colonies that can number over 300 members. All of them are the offspring of a single large female, the queen, and possibly a single male. The offspring are divided into workers who care for the young and soldiers who protect the colony with their huge claws.
Peculiar habits: Pistol shrimps are known for having one disproportionately large claw that has evolved into a very specialized function – to be used as a sonic cannon against its prey. The shooting of a pistol shrimp can be described as a snapping noise. When the shrimp slams shut its claw a high-velocity jet of bubbles is emitted from the claw at incredible speeds. These bubbles are under such extreme pressure that when they burst it causes an effect known as cativation, creating temperatures hotter than the surface of the sun.
Other information: Some pistol shrimp species share burrows with goby fishes in a symbiotic relationship. The burrow is built and tended by the pistol shrimp, and the goby provides protection by watching out for danger. When both are out of the burrow, the shrimp maintains contact with the goby using its antenna. The goby, having the better vision, alerts the shrimp of danger using a characteristic tail movement, and then both retreat into the safety of the shared burrow.
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