Burrowing Crayfish Hole

Entrance to a burrowing crayfish's burrow Photographer - John Broomfield Source - Museum Victoria

These small mud volcanoes, often found beside streams, surround the burrows of small crayfish. These crayfish look similar to the yabbies often collected in dams but are rarely seen above ground except during the breeding period in spring and summer.

The female crayfish carries eggs under her abdomen where the babies may stay for several days after hatching. Only one crayfish is usually found in each burrow but a family may share the burrow for some time after the babies are born.

They generally feed on plant material such as roots and decomposing leaves and rotting logs.

The burrows of the crayfish are sometimes considered nuisances as they are often thought responsible for the collapse of dam walls and drainage channels.