This is a female Parkhill Prairie Crayfish. Often people think of crayfish as strictly aquatic animals but there are actually several species that are adapted to living away from bodies of water.
The Parkhill Prairie Crayfish is one such example. Instead of living in ponds, lakes, or streams, this crayfish constructs a burrow which extends deeply enough to reach the water table. The gill breathing crayfish then spends the majority of its time in the water-filled lower chamber.
The crayfish can emerge at night when the humidity is high to hunt for food. Cool days and rain showers can also bring the subterranean crayfish to the surface.
It was actually a combination of conditions that encouraged this Parkhill Prairie Crayfish to leave its burrow. Cooler temperatures and recent rains allowed this crayfish a lot of latitude for exploring.
David Mimlitch discovered this individual on Carrollton’s Blue Trail while on a nighttime bike ride. One item of note about this big female is that she is ladened with eggs. Notice the clutch she is brooding under her curled tail.
Observations Details
| County | – | Denton |  |
| City | – | Carrollton | |
| Date | – | Oct 17, 2013 | |
| Time of Day | – | Night | |
| Temperature | – | Cool (50-69°F/10-21°C) | |
| Weather | – | Overcast | |
| Habitat | – | Recreation-Park | |
| Type of Behavior | – | Roaming | |
| Gender | – | Female | |
| Maturity | – | Adult | |
| Observer | – | David Mimlitch | |
| Main Article | – | Parkhill Prairie Crayfish | Observation Location |
Hello . I am going to raise crayfish in kiddie pools ( using heaters in cold weather ) .
What species are you raising?