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through the area. The soils here were
very moist which indicates the
presence of spring seeps. The darker
green grasses in this photo show the
area where the burrows are found.
BEHAVIOR
Little is known of their behavior outside of their burrowing.
REPRODUCTION
The annual breeding cycle begins in
late fall. Mating occurs in the burrow
in late fall or winter which may be the
only time more than one crayfish will
be found in a single burrow. The
female lays her eggs in the spring
while she is still in the burrow. In late
spring (March to May) she leaves the
burrow and stays in a nearby stream
until her young are released after
which she returns to her burrow. The
young can be found in open water
through the summer and will begin
digging their own burrows in late
summer.
54, 110
There are variations on the above
scenario. For instance, in Indiana,
pairs were found mating in April
whereas, in Kansas, a pair were
Pasture with many crayfish burrows throughout lower, wetter areas: Pawnee County, Nebraska
