Categories: PETS

Crawfish found walking down Mesa sidewalk


Crayfish are an invasive species in Arizona but you wouldn't expect to find one walking down a sidewalk.

MESA, Ariz. — You expect to see rattlesnakes, javelina, and mountain lions while living in the Valley. For one Mesa woman, she came across a creature no one would expect.

“I didn’t even think they lived here honestly,” Davies said. 

She was out on a walk with her dog when they came upon, believe it or not, a crustacean.

“I just saw the crayfish walking on the sidewalk,” Davies said. 

She found it near Mesa Drive and Broadway Road and knew she couldn't leave the little guy there. 

“I thought it wasn’t going to have any chance of surviving so I picked it up and brought it home,” Davies said. 

She expected to just throw it in a nearby pond but then her kids learned of the creature. 

“Then he just ended up staying,” Davies said. “His name is Nathan.”

Caelan Drago named the crayfish and told 12News he is pretty friendly but does get a little feisty. 

“Ow… ouch,” Drago said while showing 12News the little guy.

Crayfish, crawfish, crawdads, mudbugs… whatever you want to call them, officials with the Arizona Game and Fish Department said they are an invasive species in State 48. Officials said they were brought here a long time ago and the population grew out of control. 

“Now they are in several of our reservoirs and streams and rivers,” Alexandra Flickinger with the department said. “So crayfish are present it’s just not common to find them walking down the street.” 

It is possible that the crawdad found his way through a nearby irrigation system, officials said. 

While we may never know exactly how Nathan ended up walking the streets of Mesa, we do know that he has found his forever home. 

Up to Speed

Catch up on the latest news and stories on the 12News YouTube channel. Subscribe today.



Source link

Doggone Well Staff

Recent Posts

It’s going to the dogs: Marietta resident Autumn Hughes raises funds for HSOV | News, Sports, Jobs

(Photo provided by HSOV) Averi Weppler, left, and Autumn Hughes raised money for the Humane…

35 minutes ago

Expert shares what dogs are likely to dream about – and it’s very sweet

When your dog is snoozing away and their paws are twitching as if they're having…

58 minutes ago

Canine behaviorist shares advice to protect community from dog attacks

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) - From a 7-year-old boy in Chilton County to a 50-year-old woman…

2 hours ago

Probe launched after woman filmed dragging dogs by necks in shocking clip

Kiki Sutherland is filmed dragging two pets around a garden in the horrifying clip recently…

3 hours ago

Pet photo contest winners – Merrill Foto News

By Tina L. ScottEditor The winners of our Merrill Foto News 2025 Pet Photo Contest…

4 hours ago

CBD Dog Treats for Anxiety: Best To Calm Hyperactive Dogs | Cannabis

Is your dog more anxious than usual? Do they behave more erratically compared to other…

5 hours ago