Section 2 Aquatics Envirathon 2023

What are crayfish?

• vertibrae

• crustaceans

• mammals

• fish

Answer explanation

some people call crayfish crawdads crawfish or mud bugs. crayfish are a type of crustacean. a crustacean is an animal that has an exoskeleton, segmented body, jointed legs and live in or near water. invasive crayfish are crayfish not native to an ecosystem that causes harm. there are 13 native crawfish living in Pennsylvania.

How many legs do a crayfish have?

Answer explanation

crayfish have 10 legs. a crayfish front two legs are Pinchers or claws. these are used to dig into fend. the first two pairs of walking legs are tipped with small pinchers. the first two legs are also used for eating and grooming. crayfish can move in any direction forward sideways or backwards. when startled a crayfish quickly moves backwards by rapidly flicking it's fan shaped tail.

how many pairs of antennae do crayfish have?

Answer explanation

crayfish have two pairs of antennae. the first short pairs are called centennials. and tenules are used to taste the water and food. the long antennae are used for the sense of touch and helps the crayfish find food and filled vibrations of predators swimming nearby. when faced with danger, a crayfish will hide, when unable to hide a crayfish will stand tall and raised his open Pinchers in the air to look as big as possible.

Where are crayfish eyes located?

• stalks

• head

• body

• antenna

Answer explanation

crayfish have compound eyes made up of thousands of tiny eyes. a crayfish's eyes sit on short stalks instead of on on its head. this gives crayfish the ability to look around without moving. they also breathe with gills located under the carapace.

Name a burrowing crayfish found in Pennsylvania

Answer explanation

crayfish chimneys are made out of mud balls that the crayfish brings to the surface when it digs its bro. lots of animals use the crayfish's burrows. like the eastern Mass of wine and the kirtland snake are too endangered species that rely on the crayfish burrows to hibernate. 500 other animals, such as leopard frogs dragonflies and jumping mice use crayfish burrows.

Name a surface dwelling crayfish found in Pennsylvania

Answer explanation

crawfish are main food item for many fish, birds, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. in fact, scientists have found that over 240 species of wild animals in North America eat crayfish. crayfish eat plants and animals that are both dead and alive. by eating dead matter crayfish help improve water quality.

name an invasive crayfish found in Pennsylvania

Answer explanation

invasive crayfish are crayfish not native to an ecosystem that causes harm

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-4

The largemouth bass is the largest number of the _____ family?

Answer explanation

the largemouth bass has other nickname such as bucket mouth and big mouth. they performed to swim in warm water about 68° or warmer and can be found in the United States Southern Canada and most mexico. largemouth bass are game fish. the average size of an adult is two to 4 lb. but the state record is 11 lb 4 oz. baths are creatures of cover or structure. they hide while waiting to ambush their prey. they eat insects like dragonfly nymphs and diving beetles but any bug that falls into the water like grasshoppers Japanese beetles and caterpillars maybe munched on too. as they get bigger they also begin eating other small fish. once they become adults they are top predators. critters such as fish crayfish frogs snakes mice and even small birds have been rumored as providing a meal.

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

What is the name of Pennsylvania's state fish?

Answer explanation

the brook trout are one of Pennsylvania's most colorful fish that are found in clean cold water streams ponds and lakes, they are members of the trout and salmon family. they have nicknames such as Eastern brook trout speckled trout square tail and brookie. they have worm track markings in the backs and white lines of long their fins. they like water with temperatures less than 68° and lots of oxygen. you can find them around tree roots fallen trees undercut banks in the edges of large rocks. sometimes you can catch them trying you can find them around tree roots fallen trees undercut banks in the edges of large rocks. sometimes you can catch them trying to sip a hatching mayfly. they live a short life of about 2 years, 5 years maximum. they grow to be 12 inches long. you can find them in the fall. females construct the nest on the gravel below the stream. a young brook trout eats small aquatic insects while large bookies add crayfish worms and small fish to their diet. they are eaten by Kingfishers mergansers raccoons or fishermen.

what are limiting factors?

• limiting factors may keep certain fish species out of a habitat

• limiting factors may keep certain fish predators out of a habitat

Answer explanation

VOCAB:

hydrology: study of water movement and distribution

riparian: the area of land or Banks next to a stream or river

riparian buffer: streamside vegetation that protects Banks in high water

stabilization: efforts to reduce erosion of stream Banks or lake shoreline

shelf: a projecting layer of rock on land

grading: to level or smooth to a desired slope

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

NGSS.MS-LS2-4