Discover the real differences between prawns and shrimp from shell structure to size. A marine biologist's complete guide to the prawn vs shrimp comparison. Are Prawns and Shrimp Interchangeable? There are taxonomic differences between prawns and shrimp, but they taste similar and can be used interchangeably in cooking. The flavor of both prawns and shrimp is dependent on the breed and whether they were freshly caught, farmed, or frozen. Prawns and shrimp both possess claws, but prawns have claws on three pairs of legs, while shrimp have claws on two. The structure of their segments (head, thorax, and abdomen) overlap in unique ways depending on whether they are prawns or shrimp. As a result of these differences, shrimp can bend their bodies more easily. While prawns and shrimps look similar, they differ in anatomy, habitat, and culinary use. Prawns usually have straight bodies, branching gills, and larger claws on their front legs, whereas shrimps feature curved bodies, lamellar gills, and one pair of larger pincers.
