An important behavioral trait, from a culture standpoint, is that red claw are relatively gregarious and tolerate crowded conditions to an unprecedented degree for a
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large-clawed crustacean. Even at densities greater than 50 per square yard, adults show limited cannibalism. This trait may reflect an adaptation to the environmental conditions this species experiences in tropical Australia, where pronounced wet and dry seasons cause them to congregate at relatively high densities in water holes during the dry season. Under these conditions nonaggressiveness is a critical adaptation to survival and repopulation. Once the rainy season begins they disperse by migrating into newly flooded areas. Juveniles are more aggressive and display a degree of cannibalistic behavior.