Crayfish are commonly know for living in creeks. But they also can live in damp ground far from a creek. They dig tunnels, and pile the dirt up in a tall chimney. At night they come out and hunt on the forest floor, looking for worms, slugs, and insects.

There are 34 species of crayfish in Virginia, which adapt to different habitats such as creeks, ponds, and marshy ground. Their big pincers on the front are obvious, but each leg also ends in a small pincer which they use for both walking and gripping food to pass to their mouth.

Depending on species, they can grow up to 7” long and live from 3 to 8 years. They are sometimes kept as pets in aquariums, which can be a bit difficult, although always interesting, because they eat just about anything, so no roommates or live plants! And they will climb out when they want to go exploring.

For a deeper dive into Crayfish, click this link to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy