A Shrimp's Heart Is Located in Its Head
Unlike humans, shrimp have their heart located in their head region. They also have an open circulatory system and blue blood due to copper-based hemocyanin.
About this fact
Shrimp have several fascinating anatomical differences from humans, starting with their heart location. A shrimp's heart is positioned in its head, specifically in the dorsal part of the cephalothorax (head-chest region). This might seem strange, but it's actually efficient for their body structure. Shrimp have an open circulatory system, meaning their blood (called hemolymph) flows freely through body cavities rather than being confined to blood vessels. Like octopuses, shrimp have blue blood due to hemocyanin, a copper-based protein that carries oxygen more efficiently than hemoglobin in their marine environment. Shrimp also have compound eyes that can detect polarized light and see colors humans can't, and they can swim backward by rapidly flexing their abdominal muscles. Their unique anatomy makes them perfectly adapted to their aquatic lifestyle.