Hobbies And Interests
Mammals
Depending on the location of the wetlands, animals such as raccoons, squirrels, rabbits, beavers, minks, mice and muskrats can be found in large numbers. Mammals are most frequently found in swamps and bogs. Mammal life is most prevalent in swamplands due to the abundance of food sources, such as birds and insects. Swamps also provide adequate hiding and nesting places. Bogs are largely composed of dead plant material and moss and offer a much smaller variety of population of animals, though some small mammals, such as beavers and muskrats, may still thrive.
Birds
Birds are very populous in marsh and swampland areas due to the abundance of insects, plants and fish in these regions. Herons and other birds, such as wrens, warblers, seagulls, owls and pelicans, are common. Birds are most likely to thrive in areas with open water. They often display physical adaptations that suit them to these environments. An example of such an adaptation is that of the boat-billed heron. Unlike other herons, the boat-billed heron has an very sensitive, scoop-like bill for catching fish and shrimp in open water.
Insects
Insects of many kinds can thrive in any environment with pools of water and vegetation. Marshes, swamps and, to a lesser extent, bogs are all ideal environments for insects. Swamps and marshes are home to many aquatic insects, such as dragonflies, water bugs, gnats, grasshoppers, butterflies, mosquitoes, spiders, crickets and water scorpions. Some species of dragonflies and damselflies are found only in bogs.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Many water-dwelling reptiles and amphibians call swamplands and marshes home. As for most aquatic animals, the abundance of vegetation and standing water in these areas create an environment ideal for life. The most common types of reptiles and amphibians include spotted salamanders, frogs, painted and box turtles, water snakes and alligators. Bogs support a much smaller variety of life and support only smaller reptiles and amphibians, such as ribbon snakes and salamanders.
Fish and Crustaceans
Fish and crustaceans are especially well adapted to life in marshes. Varieties of catfish, flounder, minnows, pike, snails, shrimp and crabs make up most of the water-dwelling fauna in marshes. Sea catfish and minnows are quite common in tidal areas. Shrimp larvae move into marshes on ocean tides where they develop away from most predators present in the wider ocean. Other common marsh and tidal plain members are crabs. Marshes are ideal places for crabs to lay their eggs and also to find food.