Marshland is a special world of flora and fauna. The nature of the swamp is such that various animals live here and amazing plants grow, many of which are listed in the Red Book. From a scientific point of view, a swamp is a kind of marshy piece of land with high humidity and acidity. In such places, there is constant dampness, powerful evaporation and a lack of oxygen (a photo of the swamp is presented in the article). In simple terms, this is an amazing microcosm with peculiar vegetation and no less unique inhabitants. Here we will talk about them in more detail.
How do swamps arise?
Soil is swamped through the activity of animals (for example, beavers) or through the fault of humans. When he erects dams and dams intended for the construction of special reservoirs and ponds, the soil inevitably loses its properties, loses its fertility, silts. One of the most important conditions for the formation of a swamp is a constant excess of moisture. In turn, excess moisture can be triggered by certain features of the local topography, for example, lowlands appear in which groundwater and rainfall constantly flow.
All this leads to the formation of peat. Soon there is a swamp. The inhabitants of these places are peculiar creatures. The fact is that not every living organism can adapt to life in such extreme conditions, because, as already mentioned, oxygen is constantly lacking here, the soil has a low degree of fertility, and the entire site is characterized by excessive moisture and, of course, increased acidity. Therefore, such animals need to be given credit! So, get to know these heroes better.
Amphibians
In general, all potential animals of the swamps are numerous, but for the most part inconsistent inhabitants of this area. Many of them stay here only for a short period of time, for example, for a season, after which they rush to leave this gloomy place. There are not so many permanent inhabitants of wetlands, but almost everyone knows them. Among them, the most famous and numerous are representatives of the class of amphibians, or amphibians: frogs, toads and newts.
Frogs
Frogs are perhaps the most famous and most numerous inhabitants of the swamp. Many herpetologists (specialists in amphibians and reptiles) consider these creatures quite charming creatures and classify them among the most beautiful animals in the world. Indeed, the body structure of frogs is peculiar and unique. Their head is quite large and wide. They do not have a neck. Therefore, the head immediately goes into a short but wide body.
Frogs are in a detachment of tailless amphibians, which has about 6, 000 modern and about 84 fossil species. As the name of their unit indicates, these creatures have neither a neck nor a tail. But they have two pairs of perfectly developed limbs. Herpetologists attributed to tree tail amphibians, frogs, frogs, toads, toads and garlic. Outwardly, they look like frogs, but they are not closely related to them.
In the daytime, these creatures bask in the sun, sitting comfortably on swamp lilies or on the beach. If a mosquito, bug or fly flies past, the frog throws its sticky tongue towards the insect with lightning speed. Having caught prey, the amphibian swallows it right away. Frogs breed by throwing eggs in a swamp. The inhabitants of such reservoirs are not averse to feasting on frog caviar, so only a few dozens of several thousand eggs thrown into the water survive.
This happens in early April. It was at this time that the frogs awaken after a winter suspended animation. Already on the fifth day, tadpoles appear from the surviving eggs. They turn into frogs after 4 months.
The largest frog in the world is the goliath that lives in the African Republic of Cameroon. This creature reaches a length of 33 cm and weighs up to 4 kg. However, the most common in the world is a green frog. Its habitat is all of Europe, northwest Africa and Asia. This species of tailless amphibians is found in our swamps more often than all the rest.
Toads
"Companions" of frogs are toads. This is another animal that lives in the swamps all year round. From time immemorial, these amphibians have been known as poisonous creatures. The inhabitants believe that the toads possess some kind of poisonous mucus, which is bestowed upon their enemies. Many still believe that if you take a toad in your hands, warts supposedly appear on them. This is not entirely true. Most of these amphibians are completely harmless to humans. Of course, poisonous toads and frogs are found in tropical countries, but they can be recognized by their corresponding bright color.
Remember: toads that live in Russian swamps do not cause any harm to humans. On the contrary, they benefit by exterminating a mass of harmful worms, slugs and flying insects. These creatures are nocturnal and, unlike frogs, practically do not need water. That is why in the daytime you will hardly find toads. However, swamp swamps are the best habitat for these amphibians.
Newts
A squad of tailed amphibians is represented by salamanders and newts. If the first ones are mainly land creatures, then newts are just the same animal swamps. Outwardly, these creatures are somewhat reminiscent of lizards, only their skin is smooth and moist, and the tail is vertically flat (like in fish). The body of the newts has an elongated and spindle-shaped structure. Their small head immediately passes into the body, which also imperceptibly passes into the tail.
Most newts constantly live in the swamp, spending most of the year there. At the same time, they lead a secretive lifestyle. It is almost impossible to see the newt in the wild with the naked eye! They are wonderful swimmers, but on the shore they are completely helpless creatures. Representatives of the order of tailed amphibians are sedentary animals attached to their native home - the swamp. They are inactive and completely unsuitable for long-distance travel.
Mammals
Of the permanent representatives of the class of mammalian animals, one can distinguish waterfowl rodents: muskrats and aquatic predators - otters. It is worth noting that the mammalian inhabitants of the swamp can live not only in the water, but also along its edges. For example, there are hygrophilous voles and water rats. By the way, both of them and others feel great in this environment: their shelters are moss bumps, and their food is cranberries, blueberries and seeds of various herbs.
Muskrat
The birthplace of these animals is North America. They were imported to Russia from Canada in 1928. It took quite a bit of time for these creatures to spread throughout our country. Muskrats are representatives of the order of rodents and permanent animals of swamps. They live in small and large lakes, in river backwaters and, of course, in gloomy peat bogs. There they, like beavers in running waters, build houses for themselves from improvised material.
The settlements of these rodents in the swamp are easy to find. Their homes are conical in shape and reach a height of almost one meter. The muskrat's house has a peculiar structure: inside there is one or several special cameras, and in the center there is a nest. Theriologists (mammalian specialists) say that this animal is simply made to live in water. The muskrat swims easily and quickly. When looking at this creation, there is no doubt that the swamp is his home!
Otters
These creatures are the largest representatives of the family of marten from the order of predatory animals. They, like muskrats, are permanent and irreplaceable animals of swamps, rivers, large and small lakes. Adults reach a length of almost 1 m, and weigh up to 15 kg. These mammals live in almost all corners of our country, with the exception of Antarctica and Australia. Mother nature prepared these animals for living in the water element.
A rounded head, a short but thick neck, a barrel-shaped body, a thick tail and webbed feet help the otter to cut through the surface of the water without extra effort. These mammals live around the clock. Since otters are predators, they feed on their “neighbors” in the swamp: frogs, field voles, muskrats, crayfish, worms, snails, snakes. In their free time from hunting, they have fun at their pleasure, frolic in the swamp swamps, sliding down the coast into the water, etc.
From time to time, otters leave their swamp swamps, going on the so-called “fishing”. Several animals swim in a freshwater reservoir and begin a joint hunt for local fish. The otters together drive a school of fish into a narrow strait where it will be easier for them to catch their prey. Animals eat small fish without leaving the water, and large ones only on the shore.
By the way, by the nature of their otter, they are peaceful animals. Their calm nature persists for most of the year, however, in the mating season between the male rivals, real bloody battles for the female can occur!
Swamp Birds
Scientists who have studied the wildlife of swamps, argue that this area is quite suitable for the existence of many representatives of the fauna world, including birds. For example, succulent stems and fruits of swamp plants are an indispensable source of nutrition for partridges, swamp owls, waders and ducks. These birds have long chosen this area and feel quite comfortable here.
Frankly, the birds do not really like to settle in these territories. Ornithologists noticed that occasionally black grouse and capercaillie fly into the swamps. Apparently, they are driven by the desire to enjoy delicious berries. According to scientists, even the gray crane can settle in the rather swampy upper reaches of these places. The fact is that the swamp for cranes is a real defense against an external civilization. In addition, not everyone will be able to get through such swamps!
Queen of the swamps
Speaking about which animals in the swamp found shelter, one cannot but mention the queen of these places - the heron. Probably many of us do not understand the strange addictions of this bird to marshy areas. Meanwhile, herons do not settle here by accident! The fact is that thickets of bushes, sedges and reeds provide excellent protection against predators. Moreover, there is always something to profit from (for example, frogs).
The heron, of course, cannot be called a beautiful bird, but the queen of the swamps - quite! Although some ornithologists still believe that a certain beauty and even grace are to some extent characteristic of this representative of the fauna. Nevertheless, awkward and angular movements, as well as strange, and sometimes openly clumsy poses, bring all her beauty to nothing.
Be that as it may, herons perfectly adapted to life in such a peculiar habitat. It is impossible to imagine these birds outside any ponds and swamps! They climb agilely in the reed, move well on the water. That's just their voice is unpleasant, reminiscent of either someone's cries, or someone else's roar. Ornithologists warn that herons are very insidious, and sometimes evil creatures. They live in communities, but these birds are not sociable.
In general, the diet of herons is fish, but in marshy areas it is practically absent. This explains the addiction of these creatures to frogs. Herons with great pleasure treat themselves to tailless amphibians, crayfish, worms and gastropods.
