Steve Towler, age 9, of Montgomery, Ala., for his question:

HOW DOES A CRAYFISH DIFFER FROM A CRAWFISH?

Actually a crayfish is a crawfish and a crawfish is a crayfish. The only difference is in the name people use. The crayfish, alias the crawfish, is a six inch cousin of the larger lobster. The lobster lives in the salty sea. The crayfish enjoys life in freshwater lakes and streams  often where the water is quite muddy.

He has a pair of sharp pincer claws, plus eight skinny legs for walking. He also has four antennas, a short pair and a long pair, and usually a pair of beady little eyes. His suit of armor is a thin crispy shell, which may be white or brown, pink or orange, or a dark shade of green or blue. And, whether you choose to call him a crayfish or a crawfish, his meat is delicious.