Biologists are monitoring an Australian crayfish that surprisingly showed up in Texas, fearing it could threaten local wildlife and ecosystems. How did it get there?

The invasive Australian Redclaw “Crayfish” — identifiable by its large size and the red patch on its claws — is currently only found in the Brownsville area.

Invasive Australian crayfish invading Texas water causing concern for wildlife - ‘Given the size it’s definitely a threat.. ‘It’s a top predator,’ a researcher said

Researchers have in some ways only just begun to study the Australian redclaw crawfish's effects on South Texas, but do suspect their range may be limited.

Locals in southern Texas reported an “interesting-looking critter” that officials found to be an invasive crayfish species that is “not supposed to be in Texas,” Texas Parks and Wildlife Department biologist Archis Grubh said in a PBS segment on Feb. 9.