SAEDNEWS: Usually, the heart of most creatures is located in the chest or the middle part of the body, but for this colorful creature, the situation is different.
According to SaedNews’ Society Service, for most creatures, the heart is located somewhere in the chest or midsection. Just like humans, most animals protect their hearts with ribs, a chest cavity, or something similar.
Typically, many other vital organs are clustered there as well. Evolution has ensured that these organs are shielded by whatever natural defenses the body can provide. But not in the case of shrimp! In shrimp, the heart is located inside the head. And it’s not the only vital organ perilously close to the brain.
This crustacean also houses several other organs in its head, including the stomach and the ventral nerve cord. The reason is a bit complex. Essentially, instead of a “normal” chest, shrimp have a structure called the cephalothorax—a fusion of head and thorax. This occurs when the thorax merges with the head, creating a new region to host and sustain the animal’s body.
The cephalothorax is critical for the shrimp because its position and size allow the animal to maintain balance while swimming. All of this is protected by an exoskeleton, common among insects, crustaceans, and other creatures.
But the most fascinating part about the shrimp heart is this: they have three valves instead of two! While humans and many terrestrial species have just one inflow and outflow from the ventricle to pump blood, crustaceans need more to survive underwater with sufficient oxygen. In short, the shrimp’s heart is remarkably complex!
