Hi. I am doing some research and investigation into the possible problems and benefits of raising the Australian Red Claw, or perhaps one of the other large Australian crayfish species. Im not a scientist, or scholar, so all please forgive the bad spellings on occasion. I am currently on SSI, and as my choices of fancy cuisine is rather limited on my income- I started looking into raising, for my own benefit and entertainment some of these very curious creatures. Some very interesting facts did pop up if i was to ever get permission to raise some, either in my own home, or a connecting greenhouse type situation-that may, or may not, make raising them difficult or cost prohibitive. Important to me is how/if my chosen species could survive in my neighborhood , causing harm, without human intervention. some of the facts that put my mind best at ease regarding the possibilities of Crawfish escapees: (I will use Red Claw as my example as it is the species most adaptable and most under commercial consideration) Missouri Climate: Death will occur at temps below 60 or above 90. growth and reproduction stops at more restrictive temperatures. Nonviable / Non Typical behavior for surviving a trek on land- Non Burrowing behavior.= open and vulnerable to our own natural crawfish predators-and anything that would be attracted to its movements. INTERESTING: gills that become dry enough to breath on land, can now no longer support life in the water. Red Claw may now live up to 3 wks above ground,save predation, but will drown. Hypothetical direct release in water: Temperature restrictions still apply: Death will occur on release depending on depth of water or season - Non burrowing behavior is Non Typical behavior for survival in Missouri waters, its coloring is also bold - attracting immediate attention to itself.The Australian species do not hibernate. Adaptations are VERY DIFFERENT for survival in temperate Australia or our own gulf coasts, than in the state of Missouri. It appears to me they would make a great project for sheltered aquaponics or home aquaria.. and any reasonable management in that direction can be easily inspected for safety, if needed.
