Hairy Snapping Shrimp

Alpheus villosus

Systematics: Caridea Family Alpheidae

Distinguishing Characters:
This species of snapping shrimp is covered with short stiff hairs all over the body and cheliped. The orange body grows to 65 mm long.

Habitat and Distribution:
The hairy snapping shrimp lives under stones and corals from the low intertidal and subtidal down to 43 m depth throughout Australia.

General Biology:
Nothing is known of the biology of this species but it is not rare. The fingers at the end of the larger claw are used to make a loud snapping noise to stun prey. The Alpheidae are the most diverse of all shrimp families in southern Australia with almost 50 species known.

Feedback and queries should be sent to the Discovery Centre at Museum Victoria.
Please note, the Discovery Centre can help you only with questions about crustaceans from southeastern Australia. It can not advise on the care of pet hermit crabs or on crustaceans from other regions.