by Sylvia Harrison

Created on: November 26, 2011   Last Updated: November 27, 2011

Green Snapping, (or Pistol), Shrimp are members of the crustacean family called Alpheus Euphrosyne. Usually green in color, they grow to only about two and a half inches long. They are unique in the sound they make which is a popping, snapping sound, similar to a pistol shot. Although crackling might be a better synonym.

Green Snapping Shrimp are also knows as Mangrove Pistol or Snapping Shrimp. They are salt-water creatures that live in temperate or tropical waters, most often found in the southern half of Australia. though usually an olive green in color, they can also have brown undertones.

Becoming quite noisy, at times, is one of their endearing traits. They make the loud popping sound by quickly opening or closing their "large" claw. This claw is very muscular and, when snapped together, sends out a water jet that is very strong. The snapping, or pistol, sound has a twofold purpose: It frightens predators and also stuns prey, which is usually much smaller than they are.

When the tide is low in coastal areas, these snapping, popping sounds can be heard. Walking along the beach, late night or early morning and being a bit quiet, one can hear the "snap" of the main claw as the Green Snapping Shrimp stuns its prey or fights off a predator.

This variety of shrimp is carnivorous. Being scavengers, they can also be good additions to some saltwater fish tanks. (Provided the owner of said tank doesn't mind the "snapping"). It is said that they cohabitate well with most other fish but should not be kept with other crustaceans like lobsters or other shrimp. There are incidences when the aquarium Green Snapping Shrimp can surprise, and sometimes startle, the owner of said aquarium by "snapping" so loudly that the owner fears he hears glass breaking. The pistol sounds, late at night, should definitely be considered before adding the Green Snapping Shrimp to an aquarium!

In the wild, the Green Snapping shrimp will burrow as far as eleven inches into the mud. They try to find protective surfaces to live beneath, like rocks or overhangs. Their diet in the wild consists of plants and animals. They forage at night, keeping mostly to their burrows during the day.

Being small in a big ocean, Green Snapping Shrimp have many predators. It is said that there are some fish species, like the Gobi fish, that stay close to the Green Snapping Shrimp and warn it of impending danger. In return, the Green Snapping Shrimp may allow somewhat of a cohabitate with the fish.

One of nature's most interesting creatures, the Green Snapping Shrimp can be entertaining to watch in an aquarium or diving off the coast of Australia.

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