Animal identification plz

[fu1bar3]

last summer i took pictures at the pond near my apt. At that time i also took photos of some wierd holes in the ground, wondering who they belonged to. Well now its spring and the salamander threads on here inspired me to go looking for some myself. I found 3 rolly bugs, 2 worms, and 1 slug. Guess its still to cold here in NW Ohio. I also found new holes that look like the ones i have photos of.. Do you know what makes them? They are all within 7ish feet of the edge of the pond, some closer than others...

 

[airenlow]

The muddy ones look like crayfish holes but I don't know about the others.

 

[Shiari]

some might belong to voles.

 

[reptile_jones]

The muddy ones look like crayfish holes but I don't know about the others.

I 2nd that, crayfish holes

 

[fu1bar3]

REALLY???? Thats so cool!

Now for the stupid questions....
Would I have better chances of seeing them at night? with a flash light?
There are lots of new muddy holes i found today...

Im excited now... Im going out to look now, before I get my answers!

Ill take a container and camera for pics...

 

[fu1bar3]

I found...... new mud

one of the holes had fresh wet mud by the opening... but no critters...

 

[airenlow]

Here is a little tidbit I found on the subject...

Burrowing crayfish are rarely seen above ground during the daytime. Burrowing crayfish dig holes in stream banks and in moist soils. Crayfish usually dig tunnels from 1 to 5 feet deep or to the water table, so that they can stay moist even during droughts and dry periods.

When crayfish burrow into the ground they create "chimneys" made of mud balls that are excavated and rise above the tunnel. Burrowing crayfish may dig their tunnels on lawns and golf courses with moist soils that can be a long distance from surface waters. Lawn owners and golf course managers dislike burrowing crayfish creating holes and mounds on their turf. Pond owners worry that too many crayfish burrows can cause their dams to collapse.

Found here...
http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/fisheries/420-524/420-524.html

 

[vetusvates]

Yep. Crawfish (that's what we call 'em down here) holes, and what we call crawfish chimneys. I've seen 'em almost 10 inches tall. Although it is a different species, even down here, that will make a hole in a moist yard or meadow, moving yes even pebbles and stones. Usually a smaller, blue species....rather than the large commercially sold and eaten red ones.

 

[fu1bar3]

Thanks for the link... it does tell me that at night with a light is a good way to find them.. guess im just not very good at sneaking up on them...lol.. maybe another night.

 

[fu1bar3]

blue.. thats awsome.. im deffinatly going to monitor the holes...

 

[vetusvates]

blue.. thats awsome.. im deffinatly going to monitor the holes...

At least the species I've come across. Vivid deep blue.

http://www.southeasternoutdoors.com/wildlife/crustaceans/articles/red-white-blue-crawfish.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cherax_Blue_moon.jpg

 

[fu1bar3]

I used to own one that looked exactly like the blue one... but I have only seen them in pet stores. I had done some research years ago when I had "Claws" but I dont remember seeing that there were any cool blue ones like that in the U.S. Then again I wasnt looking on finding them in the wild, just how to take care of the one I was then going to purchase... I miss Claws...

 

[Em Wright]

That blue one in the first link is so pretty... it even has some purple along the tail. I like the white ones as well!

Good luck with your "Craw Hunting"... just remember to be very, very quiet.

 

[fu1bar3]

I get so excited... I try to be quiet... but them craws are smart... heck if i saw something 6 ft taller than me carrying a rubbermade and a flash light.. I wouldnt come out of my hole either...

*note: rubbermade is just to keep them in one spot above ground for photos, I dont want to keep the buggers...just get their smiles on film..

 

[Nanci]

I never knew they did that...