Tuesday, August 27

Biologists Radio Tracking Wildlife: Crayfish in West Virginia

Biologists Radio Tracking Wildlife: Crayfish in West Virginia

Guyandotte Crayfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs, Mudbug, Monster Lobsters, West Virginia, Biologist radio track,

How cool is that? The once thought extinct Guyandotte Crayfish is alive and well and fit with transmitters. Having two years of data, the researchers have discovered female egg laying times, how fast the crayfish grow, and how big the crayfish tend to get. The Guyandotte River is their home, including the river's tributaries. Guyandotte River crayfish are freshwater Appalachian dwellers and listed as endangered.

The geographic area where Guyandotte Crayfish live in West Virginia is shown on a map on the FWS site. Crayfish are found in AL, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NY, OH, OK, PA, Puerto Rico, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, Virgin Islands, VT, WI, WV, Canada, and Mexico. Also referred to as mudbugs, the crayfish habitat is a medium or fast flowing, permanent streams or rivers on a sandy bedrock.

Guyandotte Crayfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs, Mudbug, Monster Lobsters, West Virginia, Biologist radio track,

The Crayfish are known as seasonal omnivores, basically eating what is there at the time. The average lifespan is about 5 to 7 years with some living to 10 years. Guyandotte Crayfish mature and mate in their third year.
Guyandotte Crayfish, Crayfish, Mudbugs, Mudbug, Monster Lobsters, West Virginia, Biologist radio track,
Guyandotte Crayfish

Monster Lobsters

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