Wetland Animals

Wetlands are important to wild animals in ways you might not think of at first. Of course, many animals live in wetlands. In addition, other animals live near wetlands and go there to find food and water. These include minks, moose, falcons, otters, bears, raccoons, deer, reindeer, wolves, kangaroos, rats, and some fish. Migrating birds, including ducks, geese, and swans, also use wetlands. Some stop there to rest and feed during their migration. Others use wetlands for nesting and breeding. Animals such as frogs, toads, salamanders, and some insects spend the first stage of their lives in wetlands.

Freshwater marsh animals include fish, alligators, crocodiles, eagles, beavers, bobcats, egrets, cranes, worms, mosquitoes and other insects, spiders, snails, frogs, turtles, jaguars, and monkeys. All these animals are not found in the same marshes.

Saltwater marsh animals include fish, snakes, alligators, crocodiles, frogs and other amphibians, insects including beetles and flies, birds, mice, and seals. Different animals live in different marshes.

Animals found in various freshwater swamps include alligators, crocodiles, turtles, fish, beavers, bobcats, eagles, egrets, cranes, worms, frogs, mosquitoes and other insects, spiders, snails, and crayfish. Animals that live in saltwater swamps include alligators, crocodiles, fish, oysters, crabs, worms, pelicans, wading birds, bats, and insects. Bog and fen animals include beetles, butterflies, mosquitoes, geese, owls, ducks, hawks, frogs, and salamanders.

Frogs are animals that need wetlands to live. They lay their eggs in water, and the tadpoles that hatch live in the water.View Larger Image

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