Wildlife
White-clawed crayfish, Britain's only native freshwater crayfish, are under serious threat from an American invader. The introduced signal crayfish has had devastating effects, both out-competing the natives and carrying a deadly fungus against which the white-claw has no defence. Looking much like minature lobsters, they hide away under rocks and logs during the day, emerging at night to prey on larvae, snails and plants. Despite the threats, large populations can still be found in clean, well-oxygenated rivers and lakes across Europe.
Scientific name: Austropotamobius pallipes
Rank: Species
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Rare natives
Isolated streams are the last refuge of the native British white-clawed crayfish.
Isolated streams are the last refuge of the native British white-clawed crayfish.
Crayfish whisperer
A lucky dip for Bill Oddie as he nets a female crayfish.
A lucky dip for Bill Oddie as he nets a female crayfish.
The White-clawed crayfish can be found in a number of locations including: Europe, United Kingdom, Wales. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the White-clawed crayfish distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Austropotamobius pallipes is an endangeredEuropean freshwater crayfish, and the only species of crayfish native to the British Isles. Its common names include white-clawed crayfish and Atlantic stream crayfish.
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Helpless young
Predation defence
Courtship display
Maternal care
Moulting
Nocturnal
Egg layer
Scavenger
Chemical communication
Sexual dimorphism
Territorial
Visual communication