Crabs, Crayfish & Other Crustaceans of New Zealand

New Zealand has a diverse range of crustaceans, including marine crabs, freshwater crayfish, shrimps, amphipods, and many other lesser-known species. They occur in habitats ranging from rocky shores and estuaries to streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Two species of freshwater crayfish, known as kōura, are found only in New Zealand. Like many crustaceans, they play an important role in food webs, acting as scavengers, predators, and prey within both freshwater and coastal ecosystems.

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