Cherax is the most widespread
genus of fully aquatic
crayfish in the
Southern Hemisphere. Together with
Euastacus, it is also the largest crayfish genus in the Southern Hemisphere. Its members may be found in
lakes,
rivers and
streams across most of
Australia and
New Guinea. In Australia the many species of
Cherax are commonly known as
yabbies. The most common and widely distributed species in Australia is the
common yabby (
Cherax destructor). It is generally found in
lowland rivers and streams, lakes, swamps and impoundments at low to medium altitude, largely within the
Murray–Darling Basin. Common yabbies are found in many ephemeral waterways, and can survive dry conditions for long periods of time (at least several years) by
aestivating (lying dormant) in burrows sunk deep into muddy creek and swamp beds.
