What is Crayfish?
{{Taxobox | name = Crayfish | image = Crayfish.jpg | image_width = 250px | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Arthropod]]a | classis = [[Crustacea]] | subclassis = [[Malacostraca]] | ordo = [[Decapod]]a }} '''Crayfish''' are [[crustacean]]s that are also known as crawdads, crawfish, kriddly wigs, and freshwater lobsters.<ref>{{cite journal |author=C. W. Hart Jr. |year=1994 |title=A dictionary of non-scientific names of freshwater crayfishes (Astacoidea and Parastacoidea), including other words and phrases incorporating crayfish names |journal=Smithsonian Contributions to Anthropology |volume=38 |issue=38 |pages=1–127 |doi=10.5479/si.00810223.38.1 |hdl=10088/1372}}</ref> they are closely related to [[lobster]]s, [[crab]]s, and [[shrimp]]. There are about 150 crayfish species in North America, and over 540 species worldwide. Most live in freshwater habitats such as rivers. == Anatomy == The body of a [[Decapoda|decapod]] [[crustacean]], such as a [[crab]], [[lobster]], or [[prawn]] ([[shrimp]]), is made up of twenty [[body segment]]s. They are grouped into two main body parts, the [[cephalothorax]] and the [[abdomen]]. Each segment may have one pair of [[appendage]]s. In some groups these may be reduced or missing. On average, crayfish grow to {{convert|17.5|cm|in}} in length, but some grow larger. Walking legs have a small claw at the end. == Habitat == Crayfish live in [[stream]]s, [[river]]s, [[swamp]]s, [[pond]]s, and other freshwater habitats. Most crayfish are strictly aquatic but some live in semi-aquatic environments. The semi-aquatic crayfish burrow into the soil to get to water (so that they can breathe). Some can also be put in private aquarium to be used as pets == Diet == Crayfish are omnivores; they eat [[plant]]s, [[animal]]s, and decaying organisms. They are nocturnal (most active at night) and eat fish, shrimp, water plants, [[worm]]s, insects, [[snail]]s, and [[plankton]]. Larval crayfish are very tiny; they eat plankton. == Name == Crayfish might be sometimes be called crawfish in parts of