Crayfish
Crayfish are crustaceans that are also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs. The scientific name is called Cambaraus.
They are closely related to lobsters, shrimp and crabs. They are invertebrates which means they have no backbones.
Crayfish are found anywhere in the world. There are about 150 crayfish species in North America, and over 540 species worldwide.
The complete life cycle of a Crayfish.
Crayfish have a hard exoskeleton that protects and supports the body. The Crayfish has 8 jointed walking legs, a segmented body.
2 pairs of sensory antennae, and compound eyes. It has 2 large pincers/claws called chelipeds.
Crayfish have the ability to regrow a leg if they loose it. A Crayfish usese gills to breathe oxygen that is dissolved in water.
Small Crawfish are light tan, but adults are deep red. Their color also depends on diet. As crayfish grow, they often molt (loses its old shell and grows a new one). It eats the old shell.
Crawfish in North America range from 2 to 6 inches and Crawfish in Austrailia are usaully much bigger.
Adult Crayfish
Immature Crayfish