KōURA/FRESHWATER CRAYFISH

Kōura can be found in lakes and streams throughout New Zealand and are masters at blending into their environment, making them very hard to spot in the wild.

Kōura have five pairs of legs however the first pair are pincers and not used for walking. They wave these pincers around to capture food, fight with each other and to ward off predators.

If frightened, they flick their tail forward hard and fast, scooting backwards out of trouble.

A female Kōura can carry between 20-200 eggs, under the side flaps on her abdomen and the hatchlings cling to her underside with their tiny pincers for several months until the reach about 4mm when they finally leave home.

An adult Kōura can reach 70-80mm depending on the species.

Our hook-less catch and release pond allow both kids and adults to interact and have fun while also feeding these lazy crustaceans.

Kōura /Freshwater Crayfish or Crawly as the locals call them are hard to spot as they like to hide among rocks and debris on the creek bed.

What do Kōura eat?

Being scavengers, the Kōura is quite happy to stay in place and let snacks float towards it.

Their main food source are water snails, midges and other aquatic insects.

Young Kōura need to eat more protein as they shed their shell-like skin several times until adulthood.

They can moult up to nine times in their first year and it takes four years for a juvenile to reach 2cm and to be considered an adult.

Did you know?

There are two types of Kōura in New Zealand.

Northern Koura

Lives mostly in the North Island but can also be found in the South Island in Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast.

Southern Koura

Is only found in the Eastern and Southern regions of the South Island and on Rakiura (Stewart Island).