Austrothelphusa transversa

The inland crab is thought to estivate into the deep underground burrows in which the crab builds in clay or sediment banks as a way of dealing with prolonged droughts, waiting for the rain to restore the creeks, rivers, and water holes, allowing them to exit estivation.[6] The burrowing habit of the crab is vital for its survival as it allows them to find moist substrate closer to the water table in which it with remain, keeping them alive during the drier winter months, that much similar to the common yabby.[4] The burrows range on average of 50–100 cm (20–39 in) in-depth and contain a plug over the top, this creates a chamber in which the moisture remains trapped in preventing the crab from drying out, prolonging the time the crab can remain in the burrow.[1]

The restoration of water in the ephemeral rivers throughout the wet season supports a temporary abundance of aquatic life in these creeks, such as algae, and fish.[6] Though the inland crab being an omnivore, they feed primarily on algae that accumulates in these rivers when the water returns.[6][5] The Inland crab is an opportunistic scavenger that can feed on decaying animals in which it encounters.[6]

Modified gills of A. transversa work as lungs when exposed to the atmosphere allowing them to become amphibious, this is also a common trait amongst some other crustacean species.[7] This adaptation allows the inland crab to leave the water helping it thermoregulate, as small pools of water can fluctuate throughout the day becoming intolerable, hence the crab can leave the water and seek shelter amongst roots, leaf litter, and other debris.[6]

The female crab carries the fertilized eggs under the abdomen plate, which itself is tucked under the thorax of the carb and can lay anywhere from 100 to 350 eggs.[8][9] The eggs are held throughout the development of the egg stage and into early the juvenile stage, where the mother will then disperse the young into the close surroundings where they will then fend for themselves.[8] The mother crab is believed to hold onto her young during the estivation period in the burrows, releasing the young crabs when she exits the estivation period taking full advantage of this estivation, giving the young optimal chance for success as waterways return.[6]

Urbanization and modifications to natural rivers are a few factors that are threatening A. transversa. Altering the natural flow of creeks and modifying the structure of the banks, replacing natural substrate with concrete channels has a direct impact on the specie's ability to burrow and aestivate.[8] Along with prolonged drought, agriculture, and climate change, it is of consideration that the inland crab could further have to face even longer periods without water.[6]