This large freshwater crayfish (also called crawfish) is a plain preserved specimen. It is approximately 4-6" in length and is commonly used to teach late-elementary, middle, and high school students about Arthropod and crustacean anatomy. All crayfish specimen will include at least one cheliped (leg that carries a claw or pincher) to dissect; although, in some cases, it may be detached from the body. Genus and species is typically Procambarus clarkii.
When you place your crayfish on your dissection tray, first observe the external anatomy of a crayfish to observe the exoskeleton and structures such as the carapace, pairs of walking legs, cephalothorax, antennae, antennules, swimmerets, abdomen, cheliped, compound eyes, maxilliped, maxillae, cervical groove, uropod, telson, rostrum, and more.
As you begin your dissection to learn more about crayfish anatomy, specifically the internal anatomy of a crayfish, identify internal structures such as the digestive glands, ventral nerve cord, parts of the circulatory system and nervous system, parts of the reproductive system (ex. sperm duct openings), and more!
Get everything you need to dissect a crayfish (tools, dissecting guide, dissection tray & a crayfish) with our Crayfish Dissection Kit!
Note: Specimens are initially preserved with a formaldehyde solution, the best animal tissue fixative. The formaldehyde is then displaced first with water and finally with a glycol solution to produce a moist, low-fume specimen which will not decay over time.
HST Specimen Guarantee
In sealed, original packaging, our preserved specimens are guaranteed to remain fully preserved and free of decay for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Once the original package is opened, use specimen within one month. For best results, observe the following storage procedures:
- Store specimen in heavy-duty, zip-lock bags to minimize drying between dissections.
- Specimen will slowly dry out or become contaminated in zip-lock bags; add a teaspoon of Specimen Holding Fluid to retain moisture.
- Freezing or refrigeration is not necessary and may damage fragile tissues.
Warning