The pet crayfish hobby. Do people own them because they are cute, or because they are a fascinating part of nature? Or because their kid simply found one in a nearby creek and now they have to take care of it?
Well, either way, there are some very interesting facts about crayfish.
These little critters are definitely fascinating and quite quirky, to say the least. There are many interesting things about crayfish that the average Joe might not know about.
So let’s take a look.
Below are six interesting facts about crayfish.
1. Crayfish Will Eat Each Other
Crayfish are super aggressive. They are omnivores. And let me just tell you, these little guys will eat each other if they can. I learned this the hard way.
When I first got started with pet crayfish, I kept a white crayfish and a blue crayfish in a 10-gallon tank. And well, that was a mistake. After work one day, I came home, and there was just one white crayfish with a very blue tint.
2. Crayfish Have Worms
Yes, crayfish are very pretty little creatures, even though they are so aggressive and stuff. However, did you know that worms live in crayfish pinchers? Don’t ask, but yes, it’s a thing.
3. Crayfish Urinate to Attract a Mate
Yes, this is true. Crayfish literally urinate to try and attract a mate. It seems like the whole peeing thing would have potential mates running the other way, but it must work for crayfish. No appetizers, no drinks, just pee (don’t try this yourself).
4. Crayfish Will Eat Their Babies
Yep, sick. How could they?
Well, crayfish have no shame? These little things will even eat their babies. That’s why babies must be separated from the mother shortly after they arrive into the world.
5. Crayfish are Millions of Years Old
They may look pretty good for their age, but crayfish have been around for millions of years.
Fossils have been found in the Northern Hemisphere showing that crayfish are 150 million years old. Also, scientists in the southern hemisphere have found fossils showing crayfish in that region to be 106 million years old.
6. The Largest Crayfish in the World
The Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish, also known as Astacopsis gouldi, is the friggin’ largest freshwater cray in the entire world.
These guys are only found in Northern Tasmania and are actually on the endangered species list. So if you see one, don’t pick him up. Just keep walking!
7. Crayfish are Related to the Lobster
Just like people are related to other people, well, crayfish are related to other crayfish. And crayfish, like my blue crayfish even, are cousins of the lobster. That’s the word on the street anyway.
8. The Largest Crayfish in the World
There are literally 200 species of crayfish in North America, that’s pretty impressive actually.