Crustacea. 73 



The Enemies of the Crayfish. Various carnivorous 

 fishes, such as black bass, eat crayfishes, hence the fisher- 

 man also becomes an enemy of the crayfish by capturing 

 it for bait. Raccoons are very fond of crayfishes. Both 

 of these animals are nocturnal in their habits ; so when the 

 crayfish sets out in the evening to get a lunch, the raccoon 

 lunches on the luncher. One who frequents the woods 

 may see the raccoon tracks along the creeks where it has 

 been seeking this and other aquatic animals for food. 

 Muskrats and crows are also among the more important 

 enemies of the crayfish. 



How the Crayfish escapes its Enemies. In the first place 

 its nocturnal habits keep it out of sight of some enemies. 

 Second, its color is in close harmony with its surroundings, 

 so that it is very inconspicuous. Dull shades of green, 

 brown, and red are the prevailing colors. 



Though the senses of the crayfish are none of them very 

 acute, they plainly are useful in making the animal aware 

 of the approach of enemies. Then it is usually near the 

 bottom, where there are many places of refuge. And last, 

 but not least, this creature has one kind of locomotion that 

 is speedy, that of swimming. The hard covering may 

 make the crayfishes objectionable as food to many animals 

 that otherwise would eat them. The big pinchers, too, 

 which he knows so well how to use, are no mean defense 

 against his lesser foes. And further, the threatening atti- 

 tude which the crayfish assumes when cornered, may 

 intimidate some would-be assailants who do not like the 

 looks of the bristling claws, and fear that the " bite will be 

 as bad as the bark." 



The Eggs of the Crayfish. The eggs are extruded 

 as usual, but instead of being left in some place of de- 

 posit, are attached to the mother by being glued to the 



