UKH

As a bit of a wildlife dunce, I didn't even know that Crayfish lived in the UK so I was slightly astonished when my partner said she'd spotted one during a post-climb dip in Wolfscote Dale yesterday. But there it was, and it turned out to be a curious little critter. I thought it would scarper as soon as I approached but it held its ground and even gave an outstretched finger a very thorough inspection for edibility. A full hand reaching for it did scare it off but it soon returned, brought a friend along as well and even clambered onto my foot?

Can anyone identify the species? Google tells me we do have a native variety that's now largely supplanted by American imports. Photography not exactly up to UKC's usual standards but hopefully interesting anyway.

Its a signal crayfish, an invasive species. 

Notoriously difficult to ID the difference between native and non-native species, particularly before they reach full size. The underside of the claw is probably the easiest indicator. Size is a less reliable way of distinguishing species, native White-clawed tend to be a bit smaller when fully grown.

Careful regarding taking from the water as there are particular laws around taking/releasing non native species.

Helpful sheet from buglife here; https://cdn.buglife.org.uk/2019/07/Final-Crayfish-ID-distribution-and-Legis...

Its pretty straight forward to identify Signal Crayfish over White Clawed Crayfish. 

For a signal crayfish - the key bits are the white patch near the finger joint and the size of the claws compared to the body size. and the smooth body and claws.

That's a shame, but it did seem likely. Thanks for the identification. Still pleased to have seen them and learned a little bit.

Kind of you to say so, because I had found an identification guide on Google and still wasn't totally sure.

He wasn't keen on having the underside of his claw examined and I didn't want to disturb it too much.

Not gonna lie, we did briefly ponder a side of crayfish with dinner, but decided it might not be a good idea.

You have weird ankles 

If you think my ankles are weird, you should see my face.

Go on then; I'm intrigued.

I was just being generically flippant in response to an odd comment. My face is pretty unremarkable and I'm not inclined to share a portrait. Sorry to disappoint.

It's a pretty good size from the photo with it perched on your shoe!

Whilst walking down the river Mells near Frome (rhymes with zoom) I came across a little camp fire with the remains of several crayfish to one side, I looked into getting a permit to fish/pot for Signals but never got round to it.