<%@language = "javascript"%> AWAKE Crayfish
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Home / Curricula / UK Community Based Science Projects / Crayfish

AWAKE Crayfish

Crayfish Image Credit: Rick Hill

Students are investigating the unique characteristics of Crayfish in freshwater ecosystems Crayfish eat both plant and animal material (omnivore). They are an important food source for many aquatic and terrestrial organisms.. They are also important for breaking down dead material that does not decompose easily. Crayfish are also known as crawfish, crawdads, or mudbugs. They swim backward using large abdominal muscles and walk forward using legs. Some crayfish live their entire lives underground in burrows. Over 80 percent of the annual U.S. commercial harvest of crayfish are from one species, the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii, found in western Kentucky. All crayfish in Kentucky belong to the Family Cambaridae.

CURRICULUM

  • 2007-08 Instructional Plans for Wolfe County High School
  • 2007-08 Instructional Plans for Woodford County High School

    • Community Partners

    Many thanks to the University of Kentucky, Department of Biology, especially Dr. Robin Cooper for helping to make this project a success.

    PARTICIPATING SCHOOLS/TEACHER 2007-08

    Wolfe County High School
    P.O. Box 790
    189 N. Johnson St., Campton 41301
    (606) 668-8202
    Fax Number (606) 668-8250
    Beth Thompson, Cynthia Gullett

    Field Trip Photographs

    Woodford County High School
    180 Frankfort St., Versailles 40383
    (859) 873-5434
    Fax Number (859) 873-7731
    Mary Beth Rouse

    Field Trip Photographs

    Movie

    CONTACTS

    Dr. Carol Hanley
    Director of Education and Communications
    Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment
    University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
    107 Dimock
    Lexington, KY 40546-0076
    Phone: 859-333-8248
    chanley@uky.edu

    Blake Newton
    University of Kentucky
    Dept. of Entomology
    S-225 Ag. Science North
    Lexington, KY 40546-0091
    859-257-7453 | blaken@uky.edu

    Kandris Goodwin
    Program Coordinator
    Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment
    University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
    107 Dimock
    Lexington, KY 40546-0076
    Phone: 859-519-8515
    Kandris.wunderlich@uky.edu

    Brian Radcliffe
    Program Instructor
    Tracy Farmer Center for the Environment
    University of Kentucky, College of Agriculture
    107 Dimock
    Lexington, KY 40546-0076
    Phone: 859-608-5258
    Brian.radcliffe@uky.edu