Crayfish

White-clawed crayfish (Austropotamobius pallipes)

The White-clawed crayfish is small and bronze-coloured, with pale cream or rose undersides on its claws.

Habitat

It inhabits small freshwater streams of a depth less than 1 metre, hiding underneath stones and rocks and in small crevices where they forage for food.

Statistics

Length: 6-12cm
Weight: up to 90g
Average lifespan: 8-12 years

Threats

As the UK's only native freshwater crayfish, the White-clawed crayfish is in decline due to the introduction of the non-native North American signal crayfish.

Distribution

Widespread in England and Wales, but rare.

Diet

An omnivorous crustacean, the White-clawed crayfish eats invertebrates, carrion, water plants and dead organic matter.

Status

As the UK's only native freshwater crayfish, the White-clawed crayfish is in decline due to the introduction of the non-native North American signal crayfish. This invasive species has brought disease to which our indigenous crayfish has no natural resistance.

Protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Listed as Endangered on the global IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Family facts

The White-clawed Crayfish needs mineral-rich water to fortify its exoskeleton, the same way we need calcium to enrich our bones.

Wildwood inside info

Wildwood Devon is successfully breeding crayfish for reintroduction into rivers in Devon. This groundbreaking project started in 2023 and is one of many conservation projects that Wildwood is in involved in.