Austria 3 Euro 2019 Crayfish

This is the twelfth and last coin of the series of Austrian coins that have the theme of animals of the night. The subject of this twelfth coin is the crayfish. This bluish lobster is an endangered species that has become very rare in Central Europe. The European crayfish lives exclusively in fresh water and can grow to a length of 20 centimetres. Crayfish have feelers that they use to explore their neighbourhood, and large claws with which they can defend themselves and use to easily break open shells. What is special about these animals is that the crayfish breathes with its legs. Unfortunately, non-native American lobsters have reached European waters. They carry a parasite called Aphanomyces astaci. The parasite causes a fungal infection for which the American lobster itself is immune. Entire populations of European crayfish can be completely eradicated by this parasite. On the face of the coin a, luminescent, European crayfish is depicted. In the background are a number of aquatic plants and a swimming fish. At the bottom of the coin is the word 'FLUSSKREBS' (crayfish). The reverse side of this series of coins is always the same, i.e. a picture of the animals represented on this series of coins. The country name Republik Österreich (Republic of Austria) and the value indication of 3 Euro encircle these images. The coin is packed in a printed coin holder.