Crawfish undergo a complex life cycle, consisting of various stages. Adult crawfish mate in the early spring, with the female carrying fertilized eggs under her abdomen. These eggs hatch into tiny larvae known as "swampers" or "craylings." The larvae molt multiple times, gradually developing into juvenile crawfish. Juveniles resemble miniature versions of adults and continue to grow and molt until they reach maturity, which usually takes one to two years.
