Life Cycle of a Crayfish

When a crayfish hatches, it is fully formed and looks like an adult.

• True

• False

The baby crayfish stays with its mother for ________________.

​ ​ (a)  

• 1 week
• 2 weeks
• 3 week to 8 weeks
• 1 week to 2 weeks

Why does a crayfish stay out of sight for 1 to 2 days after it molts?

• The light from the sun burns its new exoskeleton

• The exoskeleton is too hard and needs to get soft before it goes out into the world.

• The exoskeleton must be in the mud and under rocks so it can harden.

• The exoskeleton is still soft and it is easy for a predator to catch and eat it.

When do crayfish reach their adult size?

• 3 to 8 months

• 3 to 4 months

• 1 to 2 months

• 6 months

Crayfish live in the water and are excellent swimmers.

• True

• False

The female lays hundreds of eggs and ____________.

• They are left in a nest

• They stick to the swimmerets under the female’s body and tail.

• The male crayfish takes care of them under his body and tail.

• The male carries them around until they hatch.

To escape danger, a crayfish ____________.

• Darts forward with a quick snap of its tail.

• Darts sideways with a quick snap of its tail.

• Darts backwards with a quick snap of its tail.

• Darts forward with a quick snap of its tail.

What do crayfish use if they are attacked?

• Claws

• Swimmerets

• Exoskeleton

• Tail

Where do crayfish live?

• Bottoms of ponds

• Along the banks of streams

• In the mud

• saltwater

• In an empty shell

The average life span of a crayfish is ____________.

• 3 to 8 years

• 3 to 4 years

• 1 to 2 years

• 6 years