Wetlands: Animals

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You have learned so much about wetlands!

• Can you name the four types of wetlands?

That's right! Marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens are all types of wetlands. Plants found in the four types of wetlands have special ways to survive in wetlands.

For example, some plants have thick waxy leaves blocking salt in saltwater wetlands.

• Can you name another way plants can survive in wetlands?

Great job!

The wetlands worldwide serve as an interesting environment for wildlife. Birds, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals can all be found in wetlands.

In this lesson, explore the different types of animals found in the four types of wetlands, like the birds pictured above.

By the way, if you guessed it is a blue heron, you are right!

Marshes

There are many different types of marshes. Tidal freshwater marshes, tidal saltwater marshes, and inland marshes are home to various types of animals.

Tidal freshwater and saltwater marshes are home to birds, fish, crustaceans, insects, reptiles, and amphibians. Blackbirds, ducks, herons, and wrens feed on the many insects found in tidal marshes.

Inland marshes are home to many insects as well. Frogs, snakes, and birds feed on the insects of inland marshes. In the denser inland marshes, you may spot crocodiles and hippopotamuses!

Swamps

Swamps make great homes for animals similar to those found in marshes. Insects thrive here. Birds, frogs, and snakes feed on large amounts of insects.

Crustaceans, like crabs, are found in saltwater swamps. Alligators can be found swimming in freshwater swamps among the woody trees.

Both swamps are home to birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, insects, and reptiles.

Bogs

Bogs, like all other wetlands, are home to tons of insects! These insects attract birds, mammals, reptiles, fish, and amphibians. One interesting insect found in bogs is the hairy canary fly. This type of insect can only be found in bogs!

Salamanders, newts, and frogs live in bogs. Bogs are a great place for them to lay their eggs. Some mammals, like raccoons and otters, can be found living in bogs as well!

Fens

Fens are very similar to bogs. They share nearly all the same types of animals. The animals that live in fens include mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and birds.

An example of a type of bird that lives in fens is a fern bird. You may also spot green geckos laying out in the sun on a sunny day!

One characteristic many animals found in wetlands have in common is their ability to camouflage. Many wetland animals have earth tones that allow them to blend in with their surroundings.

This helps some animals hide from predators. Camouflage helps other animals stay hidden while hunting for prey!

Look at the animals below that blend in with their surroundings!

Great work! Move to the Got It? section to continue learning about wetland animals.