Invertebrate
Everglades Crayfish
Procambarus alleniAlso known as Florida Crayfish, Blue Crayfish, Electric Blue Crayfish, Sapphire Crayfish
Everglades crayfish dig deep burrows into the wetland mud to survive dry periods, emerging when seasonal rains restore standing water to the marshes. They play a pivotal role in the food web of southern Florida, recycling detritus and supporting populations of wading birds and reptiles. While wild individuals typically show mottled tan or brown coloration with subtle blue accents, captive lines have been bred into intense cobalt varieties.
FreshwaterCrustaceanAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyAquatic Vegetation, Insect Larvae, Freshwater Snails
Predators
- White Ibis
- American Alligator
- Largemouth Bass
ThreatsWetland drainage, altered hydrological cycles, and aquatic pollution
HabitatsSwamps, wet prairies, sawgrass marshes, roadside ditches, and slow-moving canals
Life span2–5 years
Classification
- OrderDecapoda
- FamilyCambaridae
- GenusProcambarus
- SpeciesProcambarus alleni
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance, though chelae can pinch if handled.
Responsible observation
- Viewing Time: Look in shallow marsh edges and ditch banks at dusk or night when active.
- Water Quality: Polarized glasses help spot camouflaged individuals resting near vegetation stems.
- Field Etiquette: Avoid disturbing mud burrows or chimneys during seasonal low-water periods.
Predator (c) unnormalized, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Oak Ridge National Laboratory, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Predator no rights reserved, uploaded by Vijay Barve · cc0
Close Relative No machine-readable author provided. MikeMurphy assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Mila Turov, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Keep collecting in Fauna
Found in Collections
Species set Pro
Shore Life
Everglades Crayfish is found in this collection. Identify it in Fauna to fill this slot and continue your progress.
Unlock to track progress
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.