What is this odd stuff on the sides of these shrimps? Readers’ nature queries

We were shrimping on beaches in Connemara at the end of July and in August and noticed a greenish/grey growth on the sides of some shrimps.
Rebecca Keatinge, Dublin

What is on these shrimps caught in Connemara last month? The photo is clearer when they're cooked. Is it a parasite?
Sonja Masterson, Glenageary, Co Dublin

The shrimps are carrying parasitic isopods

The cat brought this creature to our door. It is about 12 inches from tail to nose. It seems too big and the wrong colour to be a rat.
Joseph Kelly, Wexford

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It is a young grey squirrel.

While moving leaves on a woodland floor to photograph mushrooms, I uncovered something that looked like frogspawn.
Donagh Cronin, Fermoy, Co Cork

They are slug or snail eggs.

I came across this startling-looking growth in the Devil's Glen wood in Wicklow. It was bright yellow, about 4 inches long and growing from a small cut tree.
Paddy Demery, Kilcoole, Co Wicklow

It is yellow staghorn fungus, which grows on stumps and decaying debris of conifer trees.

Here is a photo of a chough standing on the decking of a house in west Cork, overlooking the sea. Two or three choughs can be seen at this house from time to time. Anto Kerins, Clontarf, Dublin, 3

My son found this caterpillar while on holidays in Kerry.
Donna Gibson, Ranelagh, Dublin 6

It is the caterpillar of the elephant hawkmoth.

Ethna Viney welcomes observations and photographs at Thallabawn, Louisburgh, Co Mayo, F28 F978, or by email at viney@anu.ie. Please include a postal address.