Wednesday, June 22, 2016

Wildlife Quiz - Black Crappie

The Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) exists as a species native to the eastern United States and Canada. Due the popularity of the Black Crappie as a sport and commercial game fish, illegal stocking efforts quickly expanded the Black Crappies range to all 48 contiguous United States, including Maine. Also known as Calico Bass or just plain Crappie, the Black Crappie possesses a rich silvery-olive to golden brown coloration overlaid with a pattern of dark black blotches. The laterally compressed body and dorsal fin spines makes the Black Crappie closely resemble bass and sunfish species.

The largest Black Crappie ever caught in Maine was a 3 lb. 4 oz specimen pulled from Sibley Pond in 1986 by Wayne Morey Sr. Breeding typically occurs in spring in nests built by the male. Males build nests by using their tails to create shallow depressions in sheltered waters near shore. Female crappies deposit eggs in these depressions. Males release milt to fertilize the eggs and eggs and sperm become randomly mixed. After spawning, the male guards the nest until eggs hatch 2-3 days after initial fertilization occurs.

As fry grow into fingerlings and finally adults, they feed on a progressively larger and wider array of plankton, crustaceans, insects and small fish. Black crappies reach sexual maturity between 2–4 years, with those hatchlings fortunate enough to evade predators living for up to seven years in the wilds and fifteen years in captivity.

Wildlife Quiz Questions:
1. What is the native range of the Black Crappie?
2. Due to illegal stocking, where can Black Crappies now be found?
3. What other names does the Black Crappie go by?
4. How much did the largest Black Crappie caught in Maine weigh?
5. When do Black Crappies breed?
6. What do Black Crappies feed on?
7. How long does it take for Black Crappies to reach maturity?
8. How long do Black Crappies live?

Wildlife Quiz Answers:
1. The native range of the Black Crappie includes the eastern United States and Canada.
2. Due to illegal stocking, Black Crappies can now be found in all 48 contiguous United States, including Maine.
3. The Black Crappie is also known as the Calico Bass or just plain Crappie.
4. The largest Black Crappie ever caught in Maine was a 3 lb. 4 oz.
5. Black Crappies breed in the spring.
6. Black Crappies feed on a wide array of plankton, crustaceans, insects and small fish.
7. Black crappies reach sexual maturity between 2–4 years.
8. Black Crappie hatchlings fortunate enough to evade predators living for up to seven years in the wilds and fifteen years in captivity.

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