We had our last MAPS session at Rock Ridge this morning. It was quite productive, our second-busiest morning there, with quite a number of dispersing young birds. Dan will likely write more about the birds in the next few days.
On our way out, as we were preparing to launch the canoe and paddle back to the car, I noticed a couple of small crayfish in the water just along the shore. They were only about two inches (5 cm) long or so, fairly small by crayfish standards, but were intriguingly washed with blue, and had red rings around their elbows.
I wanted to get a photo up close, but, perhaps due to my double-X genes, was reluctant to stick my hand near those pincers, despite Dan’s attempts at reassurance that even if they did pinch they were too weak to hurt. Dan tried crawling to the front of the canoe to catch one for me, but without any luck. They crayfish continued to sit in the leafy debris at the edge of the shore, so I plucked up the courage to try again; I was able to grab it with a quick snatch at the mud. However, startled that I’d actually succeeded, I reflexively tossed the handful of mud toward the open floor of the canoe – which was also where Dan was sitting. Fortunately, he and the crayfish were both fine.
Upon coming home and browsing the net, I discovered the website CrayfishOntario.ca, which seems to be a site/project set up with the goal of helping increase awareness of Ontario crayfish. It’s a joint project between the Toronto Zoo, Ontario Nature, and Bishops Mills Natural History Centre. There are 10 species of crayfish listed on their brochure, of which all but two are native. However, like so many non-native and invasive species, the two exceptions are causing some problems among native populations. Habitat loss and pollution are also contributing to the decline of some of our native species. However, even in areas where neither of these appear to be a factor, crayfish have disappeared from some lakes. The cause is unknown – disease? competition? pH changes? – and their brochure simply lumps these disappearances under “other mysterious causes”.
After studying their guide, I think this is a Northern Clearwater Crayfish, Orconectes propinquus. They indicate that one of the distinguishing characteristics of this species is the orange tips to the claws, which this one shows. It’s a native species, found through most of northeastern North America. It seems to be a bit of a generalist in the habitats it uses.
I wrote about crayfish last spring; for more on their general ecology and natural history, you can check out the original post.
seabrookeleckie.com 
thanks for the original writeup and observations on the crayfish. like the lobster relatives, i guess they are easily vulnerable to environmental changes and disturbances. i liked the double-x use! haha.
“even if they did pinch they were too weak to hurt”
Don’t fall for that one!
Populations of native Australian crayfish are going downhill rapidly due to a range of reasons too. Some of them have very restricted ranges. Not good news.
Do your crayfish have commensal temnocephalan flatworms? Fascinating little things.
Cool pics, Seabrooke! Snail – commensal temnocephalan flatworms sound like something we should ALL have… Talk about shattering the parasitic worm stereotype!
Very nice photos. I love these cool crustaceans, both visually and gastronomically.
Great sleuthing and sharing again, Master! :-) lb
“…due to my double-X genes…” LOL! Don’t feel that way. I know several men who have screamed like whipped children when pinched by these little critters, and they’re the kind of men who wear cowboy hats and drive pickup trucks and call themselves tough Texans.
Delightful post and photos!
hello, I like the information about the crayfish. I saw a big one today at the beach, I bring it at home, but I dont know what my little new friend nedd to stay alive?