Ready for a crayfish close-up? These are Big Sandy crayfish hatchlings undergoing their first molt! The Big Sandy crayfish is a freshwater crustacean found in streams and rivers in the Appalachian Region of Kentucky, Virginia and West Virginia. It was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2016. These juveniles originate from Dismal Creek, a tributary of the Big Sandy River in Virginia. We're collaborating with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to restore the popula

Mysterious Mounds Who is making these mysterious mounds of dirt? That’s right, the Crayfish! This small mound is actually an entrance to a crayfish burrow called a “chimney.” Like many chimneys found on land, it is constructed of stacked “pellets” of clay and mud with an opening in the middle for the crayfish to enter and exit the burrow. These burrows provide the crayfish with a refuge from predators, but they also benefit the environment by acting as pipes that can increase the mixing of water