Examples of animals that live in wetlands include Alligators, Banded Water Snakes, Beavers, Beetles, and Bullfrogs.
Wetlands are some of the most important ecosystems on Earth, and they are home to a wide variety of animals. These habitats are crucial for preserving biodiversity, and they provide many benefits for humans as well. Unfortunately, wetlands are often threatened by development and other human activities.
In this article, we will take a closer look at some of the animals that call wetlands home.
Examples of Animals that Live in Wetlands
1. Alligators
| Scientific Name | Alligator |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | the United States and China |
Alligators are large reptiles that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are carnivores, which means that they eat other animals. Alligators use their sharp teeth and strong jaws to catch and kill their prey. They typically eat fish, but they will also eat mammals, reptiles, and birds.
2. Banded Water Snakes
| Scientific Name | Nerodia fasciata |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | along the Coastal Plain of the US from southwest Alabama to North Carolina |
Banded water snakes are non-venomous snakes that can be found in wetlands all over the United States. They get their name from the distinctive bands of color that run across their bodies. These snakes are good swimmers and often hunt for fish in the water.
3. Beavers
| Scientific Name | Castor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
Beavers are rodents that build dams and lodges out of sticks, mud, and plants. These structures help to keep the beavers safe from predators and the weather. Beavers live in wetlands all over the world, including in North America, Europe, Asia, and South America.
Related Article: Do Beavers Eat Wood?
4. Beetles
| Scientific Name | Coleoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
There are many different types of beetles that live in wetlands. Some common wetland beetles include the water scavenger beetle, the whirligig beetle, and the firefly. These beetles are important predators of other insects and play a role in controlling the population of these pests.
Wetland beetles also help to decompose dead plants and animals, which helps to keep the ecosystem healthy.
Read Also: How Many Legs Does Beetles Have?
5. Bullfrogs
| Scientific Name | Lithobates catesbeianus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | North American |
The bullfrog is a large frog that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are known for their loud, deep calls, which can be heard from up to a mile away.
6. Caimans
| Scientific Name | Caimaninae |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | central and South America |
The caiman is a type of alligator that lives in wetlands. It is a reptile, which means it is covered in scales and lays eggs. The caiman is a predator, meaning it hunts and eats other animals. It has sharp teeth and powerful jaws that can crush its prey.
7. Cicadas
| Scientific Name | Cicadoidea |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Cicadas are a type of insect that is found in many different parts of the world. They are known for their loud, buzzing noise, which they make by rubbing their wings together. Cicadas typically live in trees, but they can also be found in wetlands. In wetland habitats, cicadas help to aerate the soil and provide food for other animals.
8. Crabs
| Scientific Name | Brachyura |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
One type of animal that is commonly found in wetlands is the crab. Crabs are small, hard-shelled creatures that typically live in salt water. However, some species of crab can also be found in fresh water. Wetlands provide a ideal habitat for crabs, as they are filled with the mud and sand that these animals need to build their homes.
Related Article: Do Crabs Crawl?
9. Cranes
| Scientific Name | Gruidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
Cranes are a type of wading bird that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are tall birds with long legs and necks. Cranes eat a variety of food, including insects, fish, and rodents. Some species of crane are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Read Also: Can Cranes Sleep While Standing?
10. Crayfish
| Scientific Name | Palinuridae |
| Type of Animal | Crustacean |
| Range | Worldwide |
Crayfish are small, freshwater animals that are closely related to lobsters and crabs. They can be found in ponds, streams, and other wetland habitats. Crayfish are important members of the food chain, providing food for fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
11. Dragonflies
| Scientific Name | Anisoptera |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Dragonflies are found all over the world, but they love wetland habitats. In fact, many species of dragonflies live near bodies of water their entire lives.
Related Article: Do Dragonflies Play Dead?
12. Garter Snakes
| Scientific Name | Thamnophis |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | North America |
One of the most common animals found in wetlands is the garter snake. These snakes are not venomous and are actually quite harmless to humans. They can be found in a variety of colors, but are typically green or brown. Garter snakes eat insects, frogs, and other small animals.
13. Gharials
| Scientific Name | Gavialis gangeticus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Bangladesh, India and Nepal |
The gharial is a long-snouted crocodilian that is native to the rivers of India and Nepal. It is one of the rarest crocodilians in the world, and it is estimated that there are only about 2,500 left in the wild. The gharial is an endangered species, and its population has declined by about 98% since the 1970s. The main threat to the gharial is habitat loss and fragmentation, as well as hunting and fishing pressure.
14. Great Egrets
| Scientific Name | Ardea alba |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | north in North America and south in South America |
The Great Egret is a type of heron that can be found in wetlands all over the world. These birds are large, with a wingspan of up to seven feet. They are white with black legs and yellow feet. Great Egrets eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals. They nest in trees near water.
Related Article: Do Egret Eat Crabs?
15. Grebes
| Scientific Name | Podicipedidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Canada through California, and sometimes in Mexico |
Grebes are a type of waterbird that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are excellent swimmers and often dive underwater to catch fish and other small prey. Some species of grebes are also known to eat amphibians, reptiles, and insects.
The least bittern is the smallest member of the heron family and can be found in wetlands throughout North and South America. These tiny birds are brown and white in color and have long legs that help them wade through the water in search of food.
16. Green Tree Frogs
| Scientific Name | Hyla cinerea |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | USA |
One of the most common animals that live in wetlands is the green tree frog. These frogs are usually green or brown in color, and they have large eyes and webbed feet. Green tree frogs are found in many different parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Africa.
17. Grouse
| Scientific Name | Tetraonini |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | North America |
The grouse is a bird that is found in wetlands all over the world. There are many different types of grouse, including the American woodcock and the Eurasian wigeon. These birds are usually plump with short legs and a stubby tail. They have strong wings that help them fly quickly and efficiently.
18. Herons
| Scientific Name | Ardeidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | almost any wetland habitat in North America |
The Great Blue Heron is a wetland bird that can be found in North and Central America. These herons are large birds, with a wingspan of up to six feet! They eat small fish, crustaceans, and insects. Great Blue Herons mate for life, and build their nests high up in trees.
Read Also: Blue Heron Spiritual Meaning & Symbolism
19. Kingfishers
| Scientific Name | Alcedinidae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Australia, Asia, and Africa |
Kingfishers are a type of bird that can be found near freshwater wetlands. They have brightly colored feathers and are known for their loud, distinctive calls. kingfishers eat fish, amphibians, and other small animals.
20. Lemmings
| Scientific Name | Lemmini |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America and Eurasia |
Lemmings are small, furry animals that live in wetland habitats. They are known for their ability to swim and dive, and they use these skills to escape predators and find food. Lemmings are an important part of the wetland ecosystem, as they help to control the population of other animals by eating plants and small insects.
Read Also: Are Lemmings Arctic?
21. Mosquitoes
| Scientific Name | Culicidae |
| Type of Animal | Insect |
| Range | Worldwide |
Mosquitoes are one of the most well-known animals that live in wetlands. They are small, flying insects that feed on the blood of other animals. Mosquitoes are often considered to be pests because they can spread diseases like malaria and Zika virus.
22. Muskrats
| Scientific Name | Ondatra zibethicus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The muskrat is a small, semi-aquatic mammal that is found in wetlands all over the world. Muskrats are very good swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes at a time. They use their long tails to help them swim through the water.
23. Newts
| Scientific Name | Pleurodelinae |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | North America, Europe, Asia and north Africa |
Newts are a type of salamander that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are known for their bright colors and patterns, which can help them to blend in with their surroundings. Newts typically eat small insects and other invertebrates.
24. Northern Water Snake
| Scientific Name | Nerodia sipedon |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | central North America |
The Northern water snake is a type of non-venomous snake that can be found in wetlands across North America. These snakes typically grow to be about 3 feet long, but some have been known to reach up to 5 feet in length. They are brown or gray in color, with dark markings that help them blend in with their surroundings.
25. Nutria
| Scientific Name | Myocastor coypus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southeastern States |
The nutria is a large, semiaquatic rodent that is native to South America. It was introduced to North America in the early 1900s for its fur. However, the nutria quickly became an invasive species, as it had no natural predators in its new environment. The nutria has caused extensive damage to wetlands in the United States, as it feeds on the roots of wetland plants. This can lead to erosion and loss of habitat for other animals.
26. Plover
| Scientific Name | Charadriinae |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Sahara and the polar regions |
The plover is a small bird that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are known for their distinctive call, which sounds like “Plu-ver, plu-ver.” Plovers typically eat insects and other small invertebrates.
27. River Otters
| Scientific Name | Lontra canadensis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
The river otter is a common animal that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They are playful creatures that are often seen swimming and playing together in groups. River otters diet consist mostly of fish, but they will also eat frogs, turtles, and other small animals.
28. Salamanders
| Scientific Name | Urodela |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | Worldwide |
Salamanders are a type of amphibian that can be found in wetlands all over the world. They vary in size and color, but all salamanders have moist skin and live both on land and in water. Salamanders typically eat insects, worms, and other small creatures.
29. Shorebirds
| Scientific Name | Charadriiformes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Worldwide |
Wetlands are important habitats for many different types of shorebirds. These birds rely on the wetlands for food and shelter. Some of the most common shorebirds that can be found in wetlands include sandpipers, plovers, and oystercatchers. These birds are often seen wading in the water or searching for food along the shoreline.
30. Shrews
| Scientific Name | Soricidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | North America |
One of the most common animals found in wetlands is the shrew. There are over 385 different species of shrew, and they can be found on every continent except for Antarctica. Shrews are small mammals, and they have a long snout that they use to sniff out their prey. They also have sharp teeth and claws that help them to catch and eat their food. Shrews are important animals in wetlands because they help to control the population of insects.
More Examples Of Animals that Live in Wetlands
- Shrimp
- Snails
- Snapping Turtles
- spotted turtle
- Storks
- Swamp Rabbits
- Toads
- Volves
- Zebra Swallowtails
Conclusion
Wetlands are habitats that are home to many different types of animals. These animals include alligators, cicadas, manatees, caimans, bullfrogs, beetles, crustaceans, and beavers. Each of these creatures has adapted to life in the wetland environment and plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem healthy.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.