Some prawns are so shellfish!

PRAWNS have distinct personalities, scientists have discovered, with some recklessly adventurous while others have yet to come out of their shell.

A study examining the effects of character types found the more cautious crustaceans are the best hunters and most adept at keeping hold of any food they find for themselves, while the risk-takers often have their hoard stolen when they go exploring.

Scientists at the university of exeter looked at the behaviour of prawns to cast light on the question of why people and animals have differing personalities, and now believe they evolved as different ways of gathering food.

Dr tom Houslay of the Centre for ecology and Conservation, said: ‘the rockpools where these prawns live change with each high tide. In different conditions, either of these strategies might pay off, which might explain why evolution has not led to a single personality type.’