Species · GBIF taxon 4312658
White-clawed Crayfish
Austropotamobius pallipesAlso known as Atlantic Stream Crayfish, White-foot Crayfish
White-clawed crayfish hide beneath stones and tree roots in clean, mineral-rich streams, emerging at night to forage. As the only native crayfish in the British Isles, they play a vital role in freshwater ecosystems by grazing on algae and recycling organic detritus. Their populations have plummeted across Europe due to habitat loss and the spread of crayfish plague carried by introduced species.
FreshwaterNocturnalEndangered
Licensed referenceDavid Gerke / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
- diet
- Omnivorous, feeding on fallen leaves, aquatic plants, small invertebrates, and detritus
- family
- Astacidae
- threats
- Crayfish plague, pollution, habitat degradation, and competition from invasive signal crayfish
- life Span
- Up to 10 to 12 years
EN
Can pinch with claws if handled; observe without touching to protect this endangered species.
Highly endangered and extremely vulnerable to crayfish plague, a waterborne mold carried by invasive signal crayfish that wipes out entire native populations.
Avoid handling entirely and practice strict biosecurity by cleaning, draining, and drying all footwear and equipment after visiting their habitats.- Look under stones: Search gently in shallow, clear streams during the day, always replacing overturned rocks exactly as found.
- Use a torch: Spot them active at night by shining a flashlight into quiet pools and stream margins.
- Clean your gear: Disinfect all footwear and pond-dipping equipment before and after visiting waterways to prevent spreading disease.