Selected images for red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii )

Description

Adults of Procambarus clarkii are typically dark red in color. Juveniles are often more grey. The claws are narrow and long and often covered in tubercles. The areola, which runs along the carapace is extremely narrow and is not separated by a space. The rostrum (crown-like structure above the eyes) is deeply excavated and has lateral spine near the tips.

Size

Adult length: ~2.25 to 4.75 in. (5.7-12.1 cm)

Habitat

Very abundant in standing bodies of water, ponds, swamps, sloughs, sluggish ditches and slowly flowing streams. It tends to prefer muddy or sandy substrates where there is plenty of organic debris, such as leaves, logs, sticks, etc.