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  • Crayfish

    Date: Oct 06, 2018 at 4:00 pm

    Location: Walter C. Best Wildlife Preserve

    Wildlife Seen: 1 Rusty Crayfish

    Behavior Observed:

    I wish I had taken a picture when this happened but I was on one of the benches in Walter C Best and I looked over and there was the BIGGEST crawdad I have ever seen. I was not concerned of it at the time but I heard someone saying that they are an invasive species. I am not 100% sure that it was the rusty crayfish but from the pictures I have seen and the size of it I think that it was one.

    Naturalist's Response

    Without seeing a picture, it is hard to know if, in fact, it was a Rusty Crayfish.  You are correct that they are an invasive species and entirely possible that you saw one; we do have them in Geauga County.  According to Ohio’s crayfish expert Dr. Roger Thoma, “The rusty crayfish is the most numerous species in Ohio. It has greatly expanded its range in the past 50 or 60 years.”  Thanks for letting us know about your sighting.  –Naturalist Linda Gilbert   Here are a couple links with additional information:

    http://www.ohionatureblog.com/2007/09/rusty-crayfish.html

    http://wildlife.ohiodnr.gov/species-and-habitats/species-guide-index/insects-spiders-and-other-invertebrates/crayfish