Spinycheek Crayfish

Also known as Spiny-cheeked Crayfish, Kamberkrebs, Spiny Crayfish

Spinycheek crayfish thrive in murky streams, lakes, and slow-moving rivers where they hide under rocks and submerged logs during the day. Small sharp spines on the cheeks in front of the carapace groove and dark reddish-brown bands on the tail segments make them distinct. In Europe, where they were introduced in the late 19th century, they act as carriers for crayfish plague, severely impacting native European crayfish populations.