Yabbies are found in much of central western NSW, south western Queensland,
and the majority of Victoria and the eastern part of South Australia.
They inhabit freshwater creeks, rivers, lakes, farm dams, swamps, floodplains and irrigation channels.
They prefer to occupy turbid shallow water that is slow flowing or still.
Depending on the dissolved oxygen concentrations, they can be found at depths of up to 5 meters
Yabbies can reach up to 16 centimeters in total body length.
The yabbies characteristics are spade-like claws, a short smooth rostrum
and are generally pale to dark brown to light blue in colour.
Yabbies are vigorous burrowers and are very resilient,
they are able to with stand poor water quality and long periods of drought.
The scientific name "destructor" actually refers to the yabby's tendency to burrow into banks
and dam walls where they can cause considerable damage.
Yabbies are detritus feeders and opportunistic carnivores. They are also cannibalistic.
