Crayfish

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Crayfish

Crayfish (pronounced: /ˈkreɪfɪʃ/), also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, or mudbugs, are freshwater crustaceans resembling small lobsters, to which they are related.

Etymology

The term "crayfish" comes from the Old French word crevice, which evolved into the Middle English crevis, before becoming the modern English "crayfish". The word has been modified to "crawfish" in certain regions, particularly in the southern United States.

Anatomy

Crayfish are characterized by a joined head and thorax, or midsection, and a segmented body, which hides a pair of large pincers. They have a hard exoskeleton that protects and supports their body.

Habitat and Distribution

Crayfish are found in a variety of freshwater habitats including rivers, streams, ponds, and swamps. They are widely distributed around the world and are particularly prevalent in North America, with over 330 species found in the United States alone.

Diet

Crayfish are omnivores, feeding on a variety of food sources such as plants, insects, snails, fish, and even other crayfish.

Related Terms

  • Exoskeleton: The external skeleton that supports and protects an animal's body.
  • Omnivore: An animal that eats both plants and animals.
  • Thorax: The midsection of an animal's body.
  • Crustacean: A large, diverse group of arthropods which includes crabs, lobsters, crayfish, shrimps, prawns, krill, woodlice, and barnacles.

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