Our earth’s 3/4th part is covered with water. Out of this huge amount, 97% is seawater and 3% is fresh drinking water. As there are myriad oceans and lakes on the earth, a question pops up in everyone’s mind: ‘which animals live in lakes?’ If you still have the same question, this blog will help you get your answer.
Everyone knows about the animals that live on the ground. However, when there comes a point of the animals that live in the lake, almost everyone gets confused. Let us eliminate your confusion through this article. We have listed down some animals that live in the freshwater ecosystems such as lakes.
1. Water Snakes
The scientific name of water snakes is Nerodia. They fall in the category of carnivores. Water snakes are generally non-venomous. However, they can bite you because of their forceful nature. People usually kill these types of snakes because they can’t differentiate between the noxious ‘cottonmouths’ and the water shoes.
Water snakes gulp down their food as an entire. They generally feed on creatures of land and water like amphibians, frogs and lizards, and fish. There are nearly 10 unique types of water snakes:
- Diamond water snakes
- Brown water snakes
- Branded water snakes
- Northern water snakes
- Yellow-bellied water snakes
- Red-bellied water sankes
- Green water snakes
- Concho water snakes
- Brazos water snakes
- Lake Erie water snakes
2. Herons
The scientific name of herons is Ardeidae and they are carnivores. This type of bird has long legs, a more extended neck, and a yellow bill. The herons are tracked down in all landmasses excluding Antarctica. All the species of Herons are related to water. These birds are non-swimmers. They feed on the waterways, lakes, oceans, and marshes.
The living space of herons comprises wetlands and water. Their eating routine incorporates sea-going prey that incorporates creatures of land and water, reptiles, shellfish, fish, oceanic bugs, and mollusks. They wait for the animals such as fish and frogs. When they find their food, they grab them with their neck.
3. Flamingos
The scientific name of flamingos is Phoenicopterus ruber and they are omnivores in nature. There are a total of three breeds of flamingos that occupy America and Europe. These creatures usually favor saltwater but they can likewise adjust themselves in lakes as well. They need enormous shallow waterways to construct their homes.
Flamingos are perhaps the most beautiful creature tracked down on earth with pink, red, orange, and white plumes. They can be perceived by their descending bending bills and long legs which permit them to swim through shallow water for little fish or amphibian plants. The three species of flamingos are:
- Caribbean flamingo
- Old World flamingo
- The Chilean flamingo
4. River Otters
The scientific name of River otters is Lontra Canadensis and they fall in the category of carnivores. River otters are related to Mustelids. These creatures eat fish as a majority of their eating routine. River otters live in both freshwater bodies and seawater like lakes, lakes, waterways, swamps, and streams. These well-evolved creatures are perceived as one of the most brilliant semi-oceanic species. Furthermore, they are great swimmers as they can go up to 430-450 yards in water in a solitary jump. These amazing water animals eat up to 20% of their absolute weight each day. You will be amazed to know that river otters burn through 12 hours in the water, chasing after water food.
5. Painted Turtles
The binomial name of painted turtles is Chrysemys picta and they are omnivores in nature. These water creatures are generally found in various waterways including lakes, lakes, and streams. They essentially eat plants, however, sometimes gulp little spineless creatures like snails and bugs. Painted turtles are generally found in lakes of North America. They spend no less than 5-6 hours daily partaking in the sun. After sunbath, they consume a healthy feast that incorporates sea-going plants, worms, fish, and bugs.
6. Alligators
The scientific name of Alligators is Alligator mississippiensis and they belong to the category of carnivores. These cutthroat reptiles are freshwater creatures and can’t be tracked down in seas. If you try to keep them in salty water, they will move to the freshwater bodies by themselves. You might correlate alligators with crocodiles because of their similar look. Well, both are different but they both belong to the Crocodian family. However, the major difference is that crocodiles exist both in salt water and fresh water but alligators can’t.
Alligators are speedy creatures that can run 35 miles each hour. Apart from it, they are perfect at swimming and utilize their tails to swim quicker. Yes, alligators are carnivores and usually eat meat but they also consume natural products as well!
7. Frogs
The binomial name of frogs is Anura and they fall under the category of carnivores. There are more than 5000 species of frogs all over the world and some of them live in lakes. Frogs are such a creature that needs moisture to survive. That’s why they are highly found around water. Let us tell you a fact related to frogs. Rather than drinking water like humans, frogs absorb water via a ‘drinking patch’ on their skin. The species of frogs that live in water are:
- Bullfrogs
- Green frigs
- Leopard frogs
- Pickerel frogs
- Wood frogs
- Western clawed frogs
- Zaire Dward Clawed frogs
- Green puddle frogs
8. Ducks
The scientific name of ducks is Anas Platyrhynchos and are omnivores in nature. There is an assortment of species of ducks, some of them live on land while most of them live in lakes. Ducks can be found everywhere excluding Antarctica. The majority of the duck species live in freshwater while only a few of them can be found in seawater. The fun fact about ducks is that they can poop around 90 times a day. The various types of aquatic duck species are:
- Dabbling ducks
- Diving ducks
- Goldeneye
- Merganser
- Perching ducks
- Scoter ducks
- Sea ducks
- Stifftail
- Teal
- Whistling ducks
- Domestic ducks
- Eider
9. Beavers
The binomial name of beavers is castor and they fall in the category of herbivores. They are mostly found in the range of North America. These creatures belong to the group of mammals called Rodent.
These unique aquatic animals live close to the lakes, streams, ponds, and wetlands. They construct dams to make a home for themselves. Let’s talk about their eating habits. They generally eat plants including leaves, twigs, bark, foundations of sea-going vegetation as well as grasses when they are on the ground.
10. Aquatic Salamanders
The scientific name of Aquatic Salamanders is Caudata and they are carnivores in nature. They fall under the category of reptiles and look somewhat similar to lizards. These creatures are mostly found in the united states along the Atlantic coast. There are around 100+ varieties of Aquatic Salamander but only a few of them live in lakes. Here is the list of Aquatic salamanders that live in lakes:
- Axolotl
- California newt
- Dunn’s salamander
- Eastern newt
- Fire belly newt
- Fire salamander
- Marbled salamander
- Tiger salamander
Final Thoughts
Lakes, a great source of freshwater, are home to many aquatic animals. Although there are numerous artificial ponds on the earth too, aquatic animals can be highly found in natural water bodies. So, these are aminals that thrive in water and make lakes their permanent habitats.
