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TIFS Investigates: Oklahoma Cave Crayfish struggles to avoid extinction in Delaware County drainage cave system

Writer's picture: Dennis McCaslinDennis McCaslin

Eastern Oklahoma is home to a diverse array of wildlife, but several species are facing the threat of extinction. Conservationists are raising alarms about the precarious state of these animals and plants, urging immediate action to protect them.


Among the most vulnerable species in the region are the Oklahoma Cave Crayfish . The Oklahoma Cave Crayfish (Cambarus tartarus) is a fascinating and critically endangered species.


The Oklahoma Cave Crayfish is found exclusively in subterranean streams within limestone caves in the Ozark Highlands of Oklahoma, specifically in the Spavinaw Creek drainage in Delaware County. It inhabits only five cave in he entire county.


This crayfish is nearly white due to its lack of pigment and has significantly reduced external eyes. It can reach up to 30 millimeters in length.


: It is a completely aquatic species, spending its life on the substrate within subterranean streams and pools. It does not construct burrows. While specific details about its diet are limited, it is presumed to be an opportunistic feeder, consuming both plant and animal matter found on the floor of underground streams.


Very little is known about the reproductive habits of this species, but it is presumed to be long-lived, similar to other cave-obligate species.


In 2023, a female Oklahoma cave crayfish produced a clutch of 47 hatchlings at the Center for Conservation and Research – San Antonio Zoo, a groundbreaking step for researchers studying the reproductive biology of the species.    


“Successful husbandry and captive propagation of such a rare and cryptic species, that is endemic to Oklahoma, is a huge milestone,” said Curtis Tackett, threatened and endangered species biologist for the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation. “Understanding the life history traits of this species opens up so many opportunities to help us ensure the future conservation of the Oklahoma cave crayfish.” 


The primary threats to the Oklahoma Cave Crayfish include groundwater pollution, habitat degradation, and direct disturbance of cave habitats by humans. These factors have led to its critically endangered status.


Conservation efforts are underway to protect the species, but challenges remain. Pollution, habitat degradation, and the introduction of invasive species like zebra mussels have significantly impacted the natural habitats of these creatures.


The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) are working together to implement conservation strategies and raise public awareness about the importance of protecting this aquatic speciman.


The fight to save these endangered crayfosh is a race against time, but with collective effort and dedication, there is hope for a brighter future for the wildlife of Eastern Oklahoma.



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