freshwater+facts

Eastern water dragon; usually live on banks of rivers and streams. They can grow up to 48 inches in length and are excellent swimmers so they use the water to escape predators.

Muscrat; A semiaquatic mammal native to north america. Is a successful animal over a large variety of climates.

Chorus frog; can be found in a large variety of climates including marshes, meadows and other open areas. Adult length is from 19 to 39mm and is distinguished by 3 dark stripes running down the back.

Northern water snake; They can grow over 4 feet long. They, unlike many snakes hybernate and share their dens with cottonmouths or copperheads.

Freshwater Snails: These are similar to garden snails, some breathe air through 'lungs', others have gills. Snails use their thin tongues to scrape plant leaves and algae of rocks into their mouths. They lay eggs in jelly on stones or attached to water plants. They move by gliding on their 'foot' and possess eyes and other sensory organs on stalked tentacles. They are generally much smaller than the garden snails, 0.5 cm is a typical size.

Roundworms: This group is also known as nematodes. They are found in freshwater or moist soil and are either parasites or free living.

Tubifex worms; Live in the mud in ponds or slow-flowing streams. They are up to four cm long. They bury their head in the mud, extracting organic materials from it, and wave their tails in the water to extract oxygen. The presence of large numbers of tubifex worms indicates that the water is highly polluted with organic material, resulting in low oxygen levels. Leeches; Are normally found in still or slow-moving waters attached to rocks or plants. They are parasites, feeding on the blood of many animals including vertebrates, fish, turtles and frogs. When full, the leech will drop off its host. One meal is usually enough for the leech to survive for several months. They are close relatives of the other segmented worms. The common Bush leech may be up to 10 cm long in its contracted form.

Pond Striders and Skaters ;These are easily seen on the water's surface. They usually have very long middle legs and rapidly skim across the surface using a rowing movement. When disturbed, they will try to find shelter or even leap into the air and change direction. They are predators, catching insects which have been trapped in the water. The platypus; Along with several species of Echidna, are the only animals which belong to the group of mammals called Monotremes or the "Egg-laying Mammals". The most obvious adaptation is its beak which it uses to "feel" for its food on the muddy bottom. A platypus' diet consists mainly of crustaceans, larger insects, and even worms. Like the Water Rat, the Platypus has thick waterproof fur, small ears, high-placed eyes and nose and a long, flattened head. The female constructs an elaborate nesting burrow, often up to 20 metres long, in which she lays her eggs.

Freshwater Crab; Grow up to a diameter of 5 cm. They are scavengers, eating a wide variety of both dead and decaying food. Usually are found in burrows in the banks, some species can seal their burrows and survive for several months if the pond or stream dries up.

Eels; The two common species are the Long-finned and Short-finned Eels. Eels have a very slimy skin and no scales. An unusual feature of an eel's life cycle is that it needs to return to the ocean to breed. They have been observed even moving over land in their attempts to return to the sea to spawn. Tadpoles; begin life as herbivores, eating decayed vegetable matter in the water and scraping algae from rocks. They breathe through gills. As they metamorphose, they develop legs, their tails disappear, gills are replaced by lungs and they change to carnivores.

Gambusia; These were introduced to control mosquito larvae but they are aggressive and fast breeders and will eat most aquatic insects, rotting debris, fish eggs and fry. Gambusia are 'live-bearers', that is, they give birth to fully developed, active young. Up to 80 can be born at one time and, with favourable conditions, a further hatching can take place in eight or nine weeks. Adult females grow up to 5 cm in length males 2.5 cm with a grey-blue body. It is an aggressive fish frequently tearing at the fins of larger fish when kept in captivity. Tad Pole Shrimp; These small, transparent, fast-moving animals can be difficult to see although they are widespread in ponds and slow-flowing streams. During the day, they often hide under banks, weeds or rocks. Some grow up to 2 or 3 cm in length.

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