Crayfish. Three? Five? Fifty!

I'm sure many of you like to eat crayfish, but few have seen more instances of 5-10 centimeters. In the rivers of Tasmania can find the largest freshwater invertebrate in the world. Their average size is 50 cm with a weight of 3-4 kg. We offer to learn about them in detail.

That eating the biggest crayfish? They feed on the biggest crabs in the world all that is found in the aquatic environment. This decaying leaves and wood, fish, as well as aquatic invertebrates. Sidestep arthropods platypus, big fish and water rats. All of them are the natural enemies of the Tasmanian cancer. This animal is waiting to capture its prey, and its bite can tear off a finger. Having a black shell, being merged with a rocky bottom of rivers and it is not so easy to see any predators or his victim. But do not worry, they are quite rare.

Astacopsis gouldi are long-lived. Age Tasmanian cancer up to 40 years. In addition, these individuals are very long reproductive process. Male rats reproductive age begins about 9 years old, female, and that later - in 14 years. By the way, the male crabs tend to give birth to a "harem" of several females. Well breeding offspring happens only once in two years. Females on their abdominal legs lay eggs fall. And the young, the length of which does not exceed 6 millimeters, only hatch next summer.

Not surprising is the fact that the biggest crabs in the world are on the verge of extinction. This happened due to intensive agricultural activity of man (which resulted in rapidly declining water quality in rivers and crayfish are losing because of this part of the habitat) and over-fishing in the rivers.

By the way, this kind of rare cancers already recognized in Australia and even passed a law that prohibits catch Astacopsis gouldi without special permission. Well, violators will be punished dollar. A fine of up to 10 thousand. By the way, the name referring to the crayfish given in honor of the naturalist from Australia named John Gould.






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