Prairie Crayfish (Procambarus gracilis) is a State Special Concern species. This primarily burrowing crayfish restricted to prairie regions of southeastern Wisconsin, is the rarest crayfish in the state. It frequently burrows in banks of ponds, roadside ditches, small sluggish creeks, marshes, swamps, and small artificial lakes, as well as wet pastures and flat fields in prairies. The burrows can be quite deep and branching, with a characteristic mud chimney. This species spends most of its life in its burrow habitat, coming out at night and during rain events. Breeding occurs and young hatch in spring, as early as March, juveniles are present through spring and summer. Females move to open water for a relatively short period in the summer where the newly hatched young are released.
