More on Crawfish

In the recent posts on crawfish on Winnie, I came across an article about them. This info was provided by a US Dept of Interior biologist, who was doing his masters thesis on freshwater crawfish: here are some of the highlights, major crawfish activity begins when water temps reach about 50degs, probing rock crevises for females,depending on rising water temps. Crawfish are light sensitive, water clarity and penatrating sunlight are key ingredients.
After mating females burrow into holes or caves, the males "molt" and quickly hide. After the "molt" the males return to their reclusive habits, after the molt they often change color.
The females eggs hatch in 30days or so, again depending on water temp. Once the young leave the female, she too, goes into a low light feeding cycle like the males.
During summer growth periods, young crawfish are more at threat due to bottom feeders, ie chubs and other species, as they try to hide in small rock crevices.
As the article states much of the life and activitys of a crawfish depends on water temp, water clarity, when the water temp is up they are active, when it drops below 45degs they are less active.
Like all creatures of nature,crawfish want to eat,mate and protect themselves from predators. Actions of crawfish depend on their location as northern craws may and do act differntly than their southern cousins.

I am relating this article not as a final word on crawfish but to show the many varied activities of them and perhaps help explain why the crawfish population may increase or decrease depending on each different year.