A few species are found in brackish water – a mix of salt and freshwater – too! In some areas species like the Signal crayfish can be considered as invasive pests due to their abundance and the way they outcompete native crayfish species. These armoured crustaceans are relatively hardy, occupying many different freshwater habitats from flowing rivers and brooks to still lakes, ponds, swamps and marshes. For example, in North America there are more than 500 species of crawfish!
Each family contain several genera, and within those genera are many species. There are different species of crawfish spread across the world, with 2 families found in the Northern Hemisphere and 1 family found in the Southern Hemisphere. This group is characterised by hard body segments, their exoskeleton, with each section sporting a pair of appendages (legs!). So let’s take a deep dive into the dietary requirements and feeding behaviour of these intriguing crustaceans… What Are Crawfish?Ĭrawfish are technically crustaceans – arthropods in the same broad group as crabs, lobsters, shrimp, barnacles, krill, and woodlice amongst others. Their hunting, foraging and feeding techniques can be fascinating, and differ depending on the crawfish species and the habitat they live in. They are also detritivores – they feed on dead organic matter, decaying vegetation, animal waste, and dead animals. Some people may know them better as seafood, and in some places such as Sweden there are important cultural celebrations centred around crawfish cooked in different ways.īut what do these snappy, water-dwelling creatures eat? What do they survive on as they scout the muddy and rocky bottoms of water bodies? Crawfish are omnivores, consuming both plant and animal matter including algae and aquatic insects and invertebrates. These small, lobster-like crustaceans are unmistakable with their tough shells and tiny but perfectly formed pincers.Ĭrawfish can be found in many different freshwater environments including rivers and lakes, and there are several species inhabiting different areas of the world. In some areas they are even called freshwater, rock or mountain lobsters, mudbugs, and yabbies! In this article, we’ll continue to call them either crawfish or crayfish. Depending on where you are from, you may know crawfish as crawdads or crayfish.
0 kommentar(er)
