Aim: to identify current sites for White-clawed crayfish using public survey cards
White-clawed Crayfish are Britain’s only native crayfish. They play an important role in the aquatic food web, providing a food source for a variety of animals such as fish, birds and mammals such as the otter. They like clean water and shelter in crevices under submerged stones, tree roots and plants.
White-clawed Crayfish have suffered a dramatic decline since the 1980s and have disappeared from many parts of the country. Should the current trend in the decline continue, the species faces extinction in Britain within 30 years. Part of the problem has been the release of non-native American Signal crayfish. These larger animals compete for food, feed on White-clawed Crayfish themselves and can carry a lethal fungal disease called ‘crayfish plague’.
What can you do to help?
To help save our native White-clawed Crayfish, we need to know where they are located. The new information cards contain information on their ecology, identification and what individuals can do to help. We need help in distributing these cards, and help in telling people about the importance of these animals. If you are able to distribute copies, we would be very grateful.
Download the Crayfish Card (PDF 613KB)