Skip to the content
Discovering Kwilakm
  • Discovering Kwilákm
  • About
  • Get Involved
  • Changing Climate
    • Hotter Ocean Temperatures
    • Changing Ocean Chemistry
    • Rising Sea Levels and Intensifying Winter Storms
    • When Seashore Temperatures Spike – Killer Heat Dome 2021
  • Terminal Creek
    • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
    • Signal Crayfish
    • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery
  • The Lagoon
    • The Tidal Inlet that became the Lagoon
    • Aquatic Plants
    • Chum Salmon
    • The Beaver
    • Canada Geese
    • Three-Spined Stickleback
  • Shores
    • Nearshore Forests
    • Beaches
    • The Terminal Creek Sand Flats
    • The Curious Clay Beds of Kwilákm
    • Blue Mussels
    • Clams
    • Purple Stars
    • Oysters in Kwilákm
  • Shallows
    • Eelgrass
    • Young Chum Salmon
    • Winter Bay Birds
    • Year-Round Bay Birds
  • Deeper Waters
    • Plankton
    • Northern Anchovy
    • Harbour Seal
    • Octopus
Conservancy logoBowen Island Conservancy
    • About
    • Get Involved
  • Discovering Kwilákm
    • About
    • Get Involved
  • Changing Climate
    • Hotter Ocean Temperatures
    • Changing Ocean Chemistry
    • Rising Sea Levels and Intensifying Winter Storms
    • When Seashore Temperatures Spike – Killer Heat Dome 2021
  • Terminal Creek
    • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
    • Signal Crayfish
    • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery
  • The Lagoon
    • The Tidal Inlet that became the Lagoon
    • Aquatic Plants
    • Chum Salmon
    • The Beaver
    • Canada Geese
    • Three-Spined Stickleback
  • Shores
    • Nearshore Forests
    • Beaches
    • The Terminal Creek Sand Flats
    • The Curious Clay Beds of Kwilákm
    • Blue Mussels
    • Clams
    • Purple Stars
    • Oysters in Kwilákm
  • Shallows
    • Eelgrass
    • Young Chum Salmon
    • Winter Bay Birds
    • Year-Round Bay Birds
  • Deeper Waters
    • Plankton
    • Northern Anchovy
    • Harbour Seal
    • Octopus
Female signal crayfish on rocks underwater.

Photo: Astacoides, Creative Commons

Terminal Creek

Signal Crayfish

(Pacifastacuc leniuscuslus)

On this Page

  • Introduction
  • Explore Further
Discover Kwilakm » Story » Terminal Creek » Signal Crayfish

by Bob Turner

Until I stuck my facemask into Terminal Creek, I had no idea we had crayfish on Bowen Island.

Crayfish underwater
Crayfish in lower Terminal Creek. Photo: Bob Turner

But there it was, a reddish brown fresh-water cousin of the lobster, crawling out from under a rock, claws held high. Signal crayfish are BC’s only native crayfish. They range from southern BC to northern California and east to the Rockies.

Signal crayfish on land
Photo: Will Husby

Crayfish are fascinating crustaceans, cousins of shrimp, prawns and crabs. They live inside hard exoskeletons that they shed and rebuild (molt) as they grow, leaving them vulnerable during the molting process. They are omnivores, eating a variety of foods such as decaying roots, leaves, stream bottom insects, smaller crayfish, and fish.

Crayfish in someone's hand
Photo: Will Husby

Signal crayfish are solitary animals, living alone in crevices or in burrows under rocks. They breathe through feather-like gills, have compound eyes on the ends of long stalks, feel their way along with antennae, walk on their many feet, but can dart quickly if alarmed, with a flick of their tail.

Crayfish close-up on eyes
Photo: Will Husby

Adult crayfish are on the lookout for predatory mink and otter, while juvenile crayfish can be prey to larger crayfish, merganser ducks, and larger trout. The presence of crayfish in Terminal Creek is a sign that the water quality is good, as crayfish are very sensitive to pollution.

More About Terminal Creek

  • Terminal Creek
  • Where does Terminal Creek’s Water Come From?
  • Signal Crayfish
  • Terminal Creek Fish Hatchery


Menu

  • About us
  • Our work
  • News/events
  • Contact us
  • Resources
  • Join us!

The Bowen Island Conservancy is a BC society and registered Canadian Charity.

Our charitable registration number is 867.261.299.RR001.

Mailing address: P.O. Box 301, Bowen Island, BC  V0N 1G0
Email address: info@bowenislandconservancy.org
Phone number: 604.612.6572

Please support our work

Donate Now Through CanadaHelps.org!

© 2023 Bowen Island Conservancy

Site map | Terms of use | Privacy policy

Go to top ↑ Up ↑