Science & Life Skills

Learn amazing facts about crabs, lobsters, shrimp and other crustaceans that live in oceans and on land.

Crustaceans are ancient animals that have lived on Earth for over 540 million years. They include crabs, lobsters, shrimp, and barnacles, and live mostly in water but some can live on land.

Crustaceans come in many different sizes, from tiny microscopic ones to giant Japanese spider crabs with 13-foot leg spans. Many of the larger crustaceans are decapods.

Crustaceans have hard outer shells called exoskeletons and jointed body parts called appendages. These appendages can be used for moving, eating, breathing, and sensing their environment.

Crustaceans are cold-blooded and breathe using gills. Some swim freely while others walk on the bottom. Many live alone but some form huge swarms that move up and down in the water.

Crustaceans have different ways of eating - some are scavengers that eat dead things, others are hunters with strong claws, and some filter tiny food particles from the water.

Most crustaceans reproduce by laying eggs, and their babies go through different stages before becoming adults. Climate change is threatening many crustaceans like Antarctic krill.

Facts: Crustaceans