Nature Notebook

It crawls out of the swamp at night and scuttles over the mud searching for unsuspecting victims! Beware its dangerous pinching claws!

No, it is not the Creature from the Black Lagoon. It is the Devil Crayfish.

Rather than inhabit streams and rivers, the devil crayfish species burrow into the muddy soils of the wetlands. The results of their excavations are tall mounds of mud called crayfish chimneys or crayfish castles, which can be found throughout Sarett’s wetlands.

The burrows are deep enough to reach groundwater. The crayfish gills, located under their abdomens, extract oxygen from this water. The burrows are also deep enough for the crayfish to avoid freezing winter temperatures. Biologists believe that they become much less active in winter but don’t truly hibernate.

During warmer months the crayfish emerge from their burrows at night to hunt for food. As opportunistic omnivores they eat whatever they can find including aquatic plants, small invertebrates and freshly deceased animals.

Join the Present Pillars group at Sarett Nature Center this Saturday Nov. 1 at 10 a.m. as we walk, jog, or run together to support youth outdoor programs! This 5K-style Fun Run/Walk invites families, friends, and community members of all ages to explore the trails and celebrate nature (and get a t-shirt)! After the race we will enjoy treats, homemade soup, tea, and coffee. Sign up online through www.sarett.org.