Bright blue, 8 legs, 60 years old and the size of a small dog – a monster? Nope, just the Tasmanian giant freshwater crayfish! While most people know about Tasmania’s bright red saltwater crayfish, Tasmania is home to over 30 species of crayfish that live entirely in freshwater! This includes the biggest freshwater crayfish in the world!
Freshwater crayfish are pretty cool. These guys live in streams, creeks, ponds, dams and rivers all across Tasmania. They eat plants, dead wood, animals and even each other. Tasmania’s crayfish are special, as they help break up leaves and wood that are below the water. They also have an important job of eating underwater bugs and fish species.
I’ve always had a love for the weird animals that most people find scary. So, I am currently studying the giant freshwater crayfish. This large crayfish is only found in Tasmania but is sadly endangered. It lives in lakes and rivers in Tasmania, all of which are different and special.
I grew up in a super remote area of Tasmania, so I spent all my spare time outside. I loved exploring the tidepools, climbing trees, and flipping over logs and rocks to see what was underneath. In my research, I get to flip over logs and rocks, and wade through beautiful Tasmanian rivers to chase crayfish.
Through my research I can help the Tasmanian freshwater crayfish by giving information to people that make important decisions about them. My goal in life is to look back at my work, and know that I’ve made the world a better place.
