Theoretically, no. Within the lobster family, prawns are a distinct species. However, big shrimps are considered prawns in some areas of the world. Yet they're not the same thing! The way the parts of the abdomen or tail overlap is a major contrast between prawns and shrimps. In prawns, the sides of all sections cover the section behind, the same as roof tiles, and have the distinctive round, curved form whereas shrimps have tiny bodies that curve far less.