The Red Swamp Crayfish is a deep red crayfish native to the south-central US that has become a major invasive species on multiple continents, disrupting aquatic food webs with its burrowing, herbivory, and predation. It is commercially harvested in Louisiana in enormous quantities and is the primary crayfish of Cajun cuisine. It tolerates poor water quality better than most crayfish.
Best time to see a Red Swamp Crayfish
The best time to see a Red Swamp Crayfish is March–August, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,582 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Red Swamp Crayfish? What bug is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Red Swamp Crayfish sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a Red Swamp Crayfish?
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