Red Swamp Crayfish
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Scientific Name
Procambarus clarkii - Visit ITIS for full scientific classification.
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Description
Red Swamp Crayfish. UC Statewide IPM Project © 2000 Regents, University of California
Red Swamp Crayfish. UC Statewide IPM Project © 2000 Regents, University of California- Juveniles are grey, and adults are red to brown.
- Carapace and claws are bumpy, and carapace can get up to 5 inches long.
- 4 pairs walking legs, 1 pair claws, 5 other pairs of appendages.
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Habitat
- Prefers ponds, streams and creeks.
- Found in flowing and non-flowing waters.
- Prefers ditches with mud and sandy bottoms with plenty of organic debris.
- Also found in irrigation canals, and rice paddies.
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Invasion Pathways and Distribution
- Native to south-central U.S.
- Widely distributed in California and other east and west coast states.
- Intentionally introduced as food item, as well as through the aquarium trade, bait industry, and teaching and research laboratories.
- Visit USGS for a current U.S. distribution map.
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Life History
- Individuals are either male or female.
- Females carry eggs that hatch directly into juveniles.
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Impacts
- Competes with native predators, and will feed on larvae and juveniles of native fish and amphibians.
- Agricultural rice pest.
- Burrowing in mud banks contributes to erosion, and destroys important habitat for other native species.
- Sold as pets, for education, used as bait for sport fishing, and raised for human consumption.
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References and Useful Links
For references by category and links to other useful AIS sites see our Learn More page.
