General Description

Body dark blue, green or brown. First pair of limbs are large with claws. Spines along the side of the abdomen and on the claws. Up to 30 cm long (head to tail tip).

Biology

Female Spiny Crayfish carry eggs underneath their abdomen in spring; the young hatch in summer. There are nearly 49 species of Euastacus, including some of the largest crayfish in the World. Some species can live over 30 years. Many species of Euastacus are listed as endangered.

Distribution

Eastern mainland Australia.

Habitat

Flowing water, from small creeks to large rivers.

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