A deluge of murky waters, trees of all kinds, and leaves littered all over. With eerie sounds and reptiles that wouldn’t refuse a free lunch, swamps have unearthly reputations.
Although many people think of swamps as gross, dirty, and disease-ridden places (everybody avoided Shrek and his swamp, right?), they are vital to the ecosystem, humans, and the various species that draw from their rich resources.
Swamps are also called marshy areas. Their name comes from the type of trees found in them. Swamps are home to thousands of species. From birds, fishes, and amphibians to reptiles, these species have found their dwelling place in this rather undesirable place.
What is a swamp:
Swamps are such fascinating ecosystems! A swamp is an area of land characterized by flooding or saturation of the soil, and it is also a portion of land in water.
Swamps feature mineral soil with poor drainage and plant life dominated by trees. They are regarded as transition areas because they contain both land and water.
Swamps are present in every continent around the world except Antarctica. North America has a high concentration of them, with 30% of the world’s swamps.
Additionally, swamps come in different sizes. The largest swamp in the world is the Amazon River Floodplain. It is famous for its large number of trees and fish and its large surface area of 150,000km.
On that note, you may wonder which kind of animals thrive in swamps, and that’s something we’re going to talk about in this article.
10 Animals that thrive in Swamps
There are many animals that thrive in swamps. These animals have adapted to the unique conditions of swamps and play important roles in the ecosystem. Some of them are:
1. Mangabey
Mangabeys live only in African swamps and are among the rarest monkeys on the planet.
They come in many colors, from gold to black. Some have markings that look like beards while others have crests of fur on their heads.
These true swamp animals have webbing between their fingers that makes it easier for them to swim.
2. Platypus
Unlike the vast majority of mammals, the platypus gives birth by laying eggs. It is also a highly venomous animal, capable of delivering venom that contains more than 80 types of toxins.
The platypus has a bill that is soft and bird-like, a reptilian body shape, and the ability to dive or dig for food. It lives exclusively in the Australian swamps.
3. Fishing Cat
The fishing cat lives up to its name. A swamp-dwelling feline, it has webbed paws that make it easier to swim, and of course, they live largely on fish.
Fishing cats live in both freshwater and saltwater wetlands and can be found in many parts of Southeast Asia, particularly Burma and the Himalayas.
4. Crocodilians
There are 23 species of crocodilians including alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gharials. All are iconic wetlands species living in every continent except Antarctica and Europe.
They grow to varying sizes, can swim up to 20 miles per hour, and can crush their prey using up to 500 pounds of pressure from their impressive teeth.
5. Red Swamp Crayfish
Crayfish are a delicacy in Louisiana, and the red swamp crayfish is easy to catch and cook.
Red swamp crayfish originated in the wetlands between the Florida panhandle to Mexico, but they have spread to other areas, and because they are omnivorous, they are reducing the number of local native crayfish in many locations.
6. Great Blue Heron
If you visit any of the wetlands of the United States, you’re likely to catch a glimpse of the great blue heron.
These big graceful birds migrate from northern areas, including Alaska and New England, all the way to the Caribbean and Mexico.
Great blue herons are easy to spot as they stand in shallow water waiting for fish or crustaceans to come along for dinner.
7. Black Bear
The American black bear is a well-known inhabitant of the Okefenokee Swamp and other wetland areas. At full maturity, these powerful mammals weigh about 300 pounds and stand over six feet tall on their hind legs.
Though black bears can and do eat fish and other mammals, they are also satisfied with nuts, fruits, and berries.
8. Mosquito
Notwithstanding their minute size, mosquitoes are responsible for the death of millions of people. Research has it that 627,000 people died of malaria in the year 2020.
Mosquitoes inhabit forests, marshy areas, and stagnant water bodies, and this is because their larvae and pupae thrive in stagnant water.
Mosquitoes feed on a wide range of animals. Reptiles, birds, mammals, and even fishes make a good blood bank for mosquitoes. You should protect yourself from them if you want to visit any swamp.
9. Snowy Egret
Snowy egrets are immaculate birds found along coastal marshes and swamps. They wade slowly through the water and feed on small snakes, shrimps, fishes, and invertebrates.
The snowy egret has a powerful vision that helps it see even in swampy water. It also has long, skinny legs that don’t disturb its prey while it aims for them.
10. Hippopotamus
The hippo, also called the “river horse,” is a gigantic animal that lives in mangrove swamps. It also lives in streams and rivers and remains in water during the day to cool down while it feeds on grasses at dusk.
This animal prides itself as the largest land animal and is territorial in water. As such, it is highly aggressive.
Despite their colossal size, hippos are herbivorous animals, do not eat meat, and feed on leaves, fruits, and insects. Though they do not eat meat, they occasionally feed on dead carcasses.
Conclusion
Swamps have an undesirable reputation. However, they are incredibly beneficial to human life and house several animals. They also keep the carbon content of our ecosystem stable and make the earth inhabitable.
These animals that thrive in swamps are well adapted to survive the harsh conditions of this environment.
