Audubon Kern River Preserve Crayfish

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WILDLIFE PLANTS NATIVE PEOPLE GEOLOGY CLIMATE PHOTOS

Checklist of Wildlife on the Kern River Preserve

Mammals Birds Reptiles Amphibians Fish Insects Spiders Dragonflies Grasshoppers Butterflies Crayfish

NOTE: There is no collecting, fishing, or hunting on the preserve. If you see any animal or plant on the preserve, please take only pictures and memories. Do not disturb nesting birds. Do not go off trail.

Crustaceans of the South Fork Valley

Phylum Arthropoda - Arthropods

Subphylum Crustacea - Crustaceans

Class Branchiopoda - fairy shrimp
Class Malacostraca - crabs, lobsters and shrimp

http://iz.carnegiemnh.org/crayfish/

http://crayfish.byu.edu/

RED SWAMP CRAWFISH - Procambarus clarkii

Find these introduced crustaceans crawling through the flooded grasslands on and around the Kern River Preserve. The native range of the red swamp crawfish (crayfish, crawdad) extends from northern Mexico to the Florida panhandle and north to southern Illinois and Ohio. This crawfish has been widely introduced outside of its range through accidental and deliberate releases. It is now found in parts of Africa, Asia and at least 15 states outside its natural range in the United States. Two similar species are raised for "Cajun" crawfish meals. The white river crawfish (P. acutus) can be told by the absence of a blue vein under the tail which is present in the red swamp crawfish. California populations of introduced crawfish have caused numerous problems including the decline of California newts and destruction of rice crops. Crawfish are used as bait in sport fishing.

About Audubon Kern River Preserve

The Kern River Preserve is managed by Audubon California for the preservation of one of California’s largest contiguous cottonwood-willow riparian forests and the wildlife it supports.

Audubon Kern River Preserve supporters provide financial and volunteer support for Preserve outreach, education, wildlife habitat protection & stewardship.

Since 1905 Audubon has been protecting birds and other wildlife and the habitat that supports them. Our national network of community-based nature centers and chapters, scientific and educational programs, and advocacy on behalf of areas sustaining important bird populations, engage millions of people of all ages and backgrounds in positive conservation experiences.

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This site was created on October 21, 1998. Please Email to make comments or offer suggestions.