Faxonius virilis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Faxonius virilis |
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Faxonius
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| Species: |
virilis
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The Northern Crayfish (scientific name: Faxonius virilis) is a type of crayfish. It is also called the virile crayfish, eastern crayfish, lake crayfish, or common crawfish. Scientists changed its official group name from Orconectes to Faxonius in 2017. This crayfish naturally lives in the eastern United States and southeastern Canada.
Where Northern Crayfish Live and What They Eat
Northern Crayfish like to live in lakes, streams, and wet areas. You can often find them hiding under stones and logs. These hiding spots keep them safe from animals that might want to eat them, like fish.
This crayfish has a brown or rust-red body, called a carapace. It also has large claws, called chelipeds, which are usually blue. The Northern Crayfish eats many different things. Its diet includes various plants and small animals without backbones, called invertebrates. They also eat tadpoles and even small fish.
Where Northern Crayfish Are Found
The Northern Crayfish is found in southern Canada, from Alberta to Quebec. It also lives in the northern United States. However, it has spread to other parts of North America where it is not native. In these new places, it can become an invasive species. This means it can cause problems for the local plants and animals. For example, it was found in the United Kingdom in 2008.
The Northern Crayfish is listed as a species of Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This means that scientists are not worried about it becoming extinct right now.
How People Use Northern Crayfish
People use Northern Crayfish in a few ways. They are often used as bait for fishing. They are also eaten by humans in some places. Sometimes, they are even used as food for pet fish that eat meat.
