Blue Crayfish
It’s bold, bright, beautiful coloring makes it pop when it shows itself in the open. More often, though, they are underground in self-burrowed tunnels. This species of crayfish give away tunnel entrances by the mud chimneys they build. These chimneys have the unique capability to keep the tunnels humid and moist in times of drought. This is important because, although terrestrial, blue crayfish have gills! Luckily, as long as their gills are wet, they are able to obtain oxygen from the air.
Because blue crayfish require water to survive, they are found near saturated environments. They also burrow a chamber that allows access to the nearest underground water table. Their burrowing habits aerate the soil, recycle nutrients between the topsoil and subsoil, and provide habitat to other species. Blue crayfish are not only lovely to look at, but helpful to their environment!
Credit: USFWS. Original public domain image from Flickr