|
| Author | Topic: Could it have been? |
| Alison |
posted 6/7/08 3:37 AM
Okay, I just moved into Lebanon Ohio. New area of newer subdivision - on top of a ridge. A few small creeks (rain dependent) behind some of the houses, a few mud/rain puddles. Last night we were admiring the frogs in a puddle next to the house. Tonight, I am walking my dogs to the intersection with the next street and see something moving in the middle of it - under the streetlight, away from the streetlight. First reaction: Tarantula. Then I remember, I'm in Ohio. Next reaction: Scorpion?? Again - Ohio. It definitely looked lobsteresque - but it was in the middle of the ROAD!!!! It was about 5-6" long, 1.5" to 2" wide. Looked like a lobster WALKING DOWN THE STREET! Could this have been a crayfish (this happened at 11:30pm at night) or am I crazy from studying for my MBA too much?? Any help is appreciated! |
| Dale Westaby |
posted 6/8/08 2:31 AM
Given your area, it was most likely Cambarus (L.) diogenes 'The Devil Crayfish.' Devil Crayfish are burrowing crayfish the burrow holes in the ground down to the water table. They live in ditches, damp fields and also often burrow along river banks. There burrows often have chimneys on them made out of small mudballs. On rainy spring nights, these crayfish will come out of there burrows to wonder the earths surface for potential mates, food, or a new place to burrow. There are many burrowing species but very few in your state, so Cambarus (l.) diogenes is probably what you have. If you ever see the crayfish again, catch it and take photos and then ask people at the blue crayfish forum in the species identification section, were pretty good at identifying when you have a photo. http://www.bluecrayfish.com/forum/ http://s16.photobucket.com/albums/b14/dewcrayfish/Cambarus%20Diogenes/?action=view¤t=0001234985555.jpg |
|
|