Freshwater white-clawed crayfish  (Austropotamobius pallipes)

Learn about the scientific name of this species and how it fits into the tree of life at Nature Navigator.

Range

This crayfish was once widely distributed across Europe, but has undergone a severe decline, and remaining populations are increasingly fragmented (2). Before 1980 this species was also widespread throughout Britain and Ireland (2), but a large number of populations have since been lost (3). It is currently still fairly abundant in central and northern areas of England (2).

You can view distribution information for this species at the National Biodiversity Network Gateway.

Habitat

Tends to prefer clear, well-oxygenated, alkaline water (2) and occurs in small streams, lakes, rivers, water-filled quarries and reservoirs (2).

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