Crayfish
Classified as a crustacean, which means “hard shell”. Also known as crawfish, crawdads, freshwater lobsters, mountain lobsters, mudbugs, or yabbies.
They live in freshwater, such as streams, swamps, ditches, and paddy fields and build homes under water. Most species cannot tolerate polluted water.
They breathe through feather-like gills, taking dissolved oxygen out of the water.
They have up to 20 appendages: 4 antennae and 8-10 legs.
Snakes and racoons eat them.
Main diet is decomposing matter, decaying vegetation, and plants. They will also eat small fish if they swim by close enough, or even cannibalize other crayfish.