The Resilient Red Swamp Crayfish

The freshwater crustacean scurrying across the gravel is a Red Swamp Crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). In my decades of specializing in aquatic life, I have found this species to be one of the most remarkable for its adaptability and hardiness. Though often mistaken for a small lobster, this crayfish is a freshwater dweller, native to the southern United States but now found in diverse habitats across the globe.

Its reddish-brown body and large claws are well-suited for a life spent burrowing in mud and scavenging for food. Red Swamp Crayfish are opportunistic omnivores, feeding on a wide variety of plants, insects, and detritus. Their ability to tolerate poor water quality and thrive in a range of environments has made them both a commercially important food source and an invasive species in many regions.