Crayfish

Crayfish are small crustaceans. A crayfish has two large claws. The claws are strong. They help the crayfish defend itself. There are more than 500 species of crayfish.

Crayfish have exoskeletons. A crayfish has ten pairs of legs. Five pairs are used for walking. Five shorter pairs are used for swimming. Crayfish have antennae. The antennae help them find food.

Crayfish live all around the world. Most live in freshwater. They can be found in rivers and streams. They also live in lakes and swamps. Some crayfish species live in salt water.

Crayfish eat many kinds of food. They eat small fish. They eat insect larvae. They eat plants. Crayfish hunt for food at night. During the day, they rest and hide.

Female crayfish lay eggs. They carry the eggs with their shorter legs until they hatch. Baby crayfish molt each time they grow. They reach their adult size in three to four months. Crayfish can live to be eight years old.

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Crayfish Classification: Malacostracan
Diet: Omnivore
Endangered Status: Most are Least Concern, but some are Endangered.
Average Length A crayfish is longer than a baseball.
Maximum Weight The largest type of crayfish is heavier than a textbook.

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