Most of the planet is covered in water, with 97 percent of it being saltwater and 3 percent being freshwater. The world is filled mainly with seas; the planet also contains numerous lakes.
We can all quickly write the various animals that reside on the landscape, But how many of them can you name when asked the kinds of animals that reside in lakes?
Let us assist you in answering this question. The species of animals living in lakes vary in their variety. When we refer to lakes, we refer to freshwater ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, streams, creeks, and ponds.
This is the freshwater containing 3% that we discussed earlier. It’s a bit of a mystery, even though it seems like a small number, and it is over 100,000 different species of plants and animals within freshwater ecosystems!
What are the reasons animals can live in lakes?
Many animals depend on the lakes for mating and raising their children. This is why lakes are crucial ecosystems and are the home to a wide variety of wildlife species.
In addition, they provide the same water source, which is crucial for the survival of all living things. Furthermore, lakes are generally awash in wildlife and plants and offer plenty of opportunities for food.
They also provide more protection in the face of predators than some other types of ecosystems since the water serves as an obstacle that predators have to be able to cross to get to their prey.
Additionally, lakes provide various microhabitats for different species based on the needs of each species. These factors make lakes the ideal habitat for various animals.
Vertebrate Animals That Live In A Lake
Fish That Live in Lakes
There are too wide varieties of fish in lakes, and they are not listed here. Fish species in lakes include trout, salmon perch, catfish, bass, and more. The northern pike is a popular freshwater fish found in all lakes around the globe. In the United States, significant northern pike populations reside throughout areas like the Great Lakes Basin, New England, Alaska, Arizona, and even in northern New Mexico.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Pikes is found in nearly every state’s stream and lakes. They are meat-eaters and are a popular choice for fishermen due to being so ferocious that they readily take the lure of an enticement. Pikes typically weigh between two to three pounds. However, some trophy-sized pikes have been caught at over 20 pounds.
Water Snakes
Many snake species are found close to lakes. Most feared is the poisonous water moccasin, also known as the cottonmouth. They are the sole poisonous snakes found in North America and are a pit viper type.
It is important to note that the Lake Erie water snake should not be confused with the dangerous water moccasin. While this Lake Erie water snake will defend itself by biting when threatened, it’s nowhere far from being as deadly. Adults can be between 18 to 42 inches. Most of them have gray-colored hair that has white underneath, but it can be brown or green.
It is important to note that the Lake Erie water snake does not actually reside in the lake but instead at the edge of the lake. Its preferred spots for sunning are rocks, as well as another surface on the shore. Lake Erie water snakes can and will swim, but they are not able to swim. They can swim on the water’s surface and plunge too deep into the lake’s depths. Lake Erie water snakes usually consume fish and can crossbreed with Northern aquatic snakes.
BEAVERS
The semi-aquatic rodents make their homes in freshwater habitats such as lakes. Beavers use branches, rocks, and other plants around lakes to construct dams that create habitats for other animals too can call home. While beavers are most commonly found on lakes within North America, they can be located in Eurasia.
Caddisflies
Caddisflies are aquatic bugs that dwell near or in lakes and streams. They lay eggs on plants, rocks, or other things in the water so that larvae can hatch near algae, a source of food under the water.
Herons
The grey-backed bird, easy to recognize, has long legs, a long neck, and a bill that is as bright as the sun! Herons can be found on every continent except for Antarctica; most species are found in water.
Herons are not swimmers; they are at the edges of rivers, lakes, oceans, ponds, and swamps.
Herons’ habitat consists of wetlands and waters, and they are carnivore birds. Their diet consists of aquatic prey such as reptiles, amphibians and crustaceans, fish and aquatic insects, and Mollusks.
Herons usually sat still in the water. They are waiting for their prey, like a frog, or fish, to get close enough and use their necks long to capture the prey.
GREATER FLAMINGO
Of all the different species of flamingos found on the planet, The Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) is the most well-known and widely distributed member of the family known as the flamingos.
It is believed that the Greater Flamingo is an easily recognized, colorful, wading bird and is commonly seen in a flock along with Lesser Flamingo within the giant salt lakes throughout Africa. These iconic pink birds are in watery, warm regions across many continents. They can also be found in Asia on the coasts, including India, Pakistan, Central America, South America, the Caribbean, and Southern Europe. If flamingos congregate, they are known as a ‘colony,’ or”stand.”
The closest relatives of the Greater Flamingo are those of the Chilean Flamingo, Caribbean Flamingo, and Lesser Flamingo. There aren’t any subspecies of this species. Greater Flamingo.
FROGS
There are over 5 000 species of frogs worldwide; however, most do not live in lakes. There are 63 species of semiaquatic and aquatic Frogs. A few of them, such as Pacific tree frogs and true frogs, are found in lakes. Many species of frogs begin as tadpoles and then develop limbs once they reach the age of maturity.
SWANS
Swans are among the giant flying birds on the planet currently. They are often located in lakes as well as other wetlands. They utilize their long necks to reach out to plants below that water’s surface. There are a variety of species of swans to be found worldwide, and they play an essential role in the folklore of a variety of communities.
Invertebrates That Live In A Lake
The term “invertebrates” refers to species that don’t have any spinal or backbone structure within their bodies. Invertebrates usually possess an exoskeleton or a shell that covers their bodies and offers protection. Invertebrate animals in lakes are an integral part of the larger ecosystem of lake food chains and ecosystems.
Zooplankton. Zooplankton is animals with one cell. They are either temporary (one portion of an animal’s lifespan) or permanent. The four main categories of zooplankton comprise rotifers protozoa and two species of micro-crustaceans, copepods, and cladocerans.
Sponges. Spongilla lacustris is one of the most popular freshwater lake sponges. Saline lakes house golf-ball sponges, such as Tethya Aurantium (orange puffball sponge), along with a variety of Porifera species of sponge.
Worms. Three major species of worms are found in lakes, such as planaria (flatworms) as well as Nematoda (roundworms), and annual (leeches).
Mollusks. Mollusks have soft bodies which aren’t segmented. They could or might not contain shells. The three most common mollusks are gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods. Bivalve mollusks, including snails, mussels, and clams, are the most frequent species in lakes.
Arthropods. Arthropods have segmented bodies with hard outer shells and many legs. Lake arthropods comprise millipedes, mites, spiders, fleas, midges, and beetles. Lobster, brine shrimp, crayfish, water striders, mosquitoes, and others.
To Wrap up on Animals That Live in Lakes
The animals that live in lakes are remarkably adapting to their environment. They have bodies with smooth surfaces and webbed feet, aiding in underwater swimming and breathing.
They can flourish and thrive in their amphibian habitats.
The Animals live in lakes. Fish are among the enormous aquatic creatures and play crucial roles in the ecosystem.
Creatures of water and land, like lizards and frogs, are regular and usually use lakes as favorable spots.
Reptiles, like snakes and turtles, can also be observed in lakes. Some are excellent swimmers. They are well-developed creatures such as beavers and otters, also reside in lakes, and make their habitats on beaches.
Animals living in lakes help maintain the lake’s cleanliness and provide food to other animals. They also play an essential part in the food chain and are crucial to the lake’s health.
