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 swampy piece of land with high humidity and acidity. In such places, there is constant dampness, powerful evaporation and lack of oxygen (a photo of the swamp is presented in the article). In simple terms, this is an amazing microcosm with a peculiar vegetation and no less unique inhabitants. Here we will talk about them in more detail.
How do swamps form?
The soil becomes waterlogged through the activities of animals (such as beavers) or through the fault of man. During the construction of dams and dams intended for the construction of special reservoirs and ponds, the soil inevitably loses its properties, loses its degree of fertility, and silts up. One of the most important conditions for the formation of a swamp is a constant excess of moisture. In turn, excessive moisture can be provoked by certain features of the local relief, for example, lowlands appear, into which groundwater and precipitation constantly flow.
All this leads to the formation of peat. ATsoon there will be a swamp. The inhabitants of these places are peculiar creatures. The fact is that not every living organism will be able to 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 area is characterized by excessive moisture and, of course, high acidity.. Therefore, such animals must be given their due! So, let's get to know these heroes better.
Amphibians
In general, all potential animals of swamps are numerous, but mostly non-permanent 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 the swampy areas, 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 don't have a neck. Therefore, the head immediately turns into a short but wide body.
Frogs are a member of the order of anurans, which includes about 6,000 modern and about 84 fossil species. As the name suggestsof their detachment, these creatures have neither a neck nor a tail. But they have two pairs of perfectly developed limbs. Herpetologists attributed tree frogs, poison dart frogs, toads, toads and spadefoots to tailless amphibians. Outwardly, they look like frogs, but are not closely related to them.
During the daytime, these creatures bask in the sun, nestling comfortably on the swamp lilies or on the shore. If a mosquito, beetle or fly flies by, the frog throws out its sticky tongue towards the insect with lightning speed. Having caught the prey, the amphibian immediately swallows it. Frogs reproduce by throwing eggs into the swamp. The inhabitants of such reservoirs are not averse to feasting on frog caviar, so out of several thousand eggs thrown into the water, only a few dozen survive.
It happens in early April. It is at this time that frogs wake up after 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, which 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 the green frog. Its habitat is all of Europe, northwest Africa and Asia. This type of tailless amphibian is the most common in our swamps.
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 toads possess some kind of poisonous mucus,given to their enemies. Many still believe that if you pick up a toad, warts will allegedly 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 are beneficial, exterminating a lot of harmful worms, slugs and flying insects. These creatures are nocturnal and, unlike frogs, practically do not need water. That is why you almost never see toads in the daytime. However, swamp marshes are the best habitat for these amphibians.
Tritons
The order of tailed amphibians is represented by salamanders and newts. If the first ones are mostly land creatures, then the newts are just the animals of the swamps. Outwardly, these creatures are somewhat reminiscent of lizards, only their skin is smooth and moist, and their tail is vertically flat (like that of fish). The trunk of 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 live permanently in the swamp, spending most of the year there. At the same time, they lead a secretive life. It is almost impossible to see a 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 tied to their home - the swamp. They are inactive and completely unadapted to long-distance travel.
Mammals
Waterfowl rodents can be distinguished from permanent representatives of the class of mammals: muskrats and aquatic predators - otters. It is worth noting that the mammals inhabitants of the swamp can live not only in the water, but also along its edges. For example, there are moisture-loving voles and water rats. By the way, both of them feel great in this environment: their shelters are moss bumps, and their food is cranberries, blueberries and seeds of various herbs.
Muskrat
North America is the birthplace of these animals. They were brought 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 creeks and, of course, in gloomy peat bogs. There they, like beavers in flowing waters, build their own houses from improvised material.
The settlements of these rodents in the swamp are easy to find. Their dwellings are cone-shaped and reach a height of almost one meter. The muskrat house has a peculiar structure: one or several special chambers are located inside, and a nest is in the center. Theriologists (specialists in mammals) say that this animal is simply created for life in water. The muskrat swims easily and quickly. When looking at this creature, there is no doubt that the swamp is hishome!
Otters
These creatures are the largest representatives of the weasel family 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 life in the water element.
A rounded head, a short but thick neck, a barrel-shaped body, a thick tail and webbed feet help otters effortlessly cut through the water surface. These mammals lead a round-the-clock lifestyle. Since otters are predators, they feed on their own "neighbors" in the swamp: frogs, voles, muskrats, crayfish, worms, snails, snakes. In their free time from hunting, they have fun, frolicking in swampy swamps, rolling off the banks into the water, etc.
From time to time, otters leave their swampy swamps, going on the so-called "fishing". Several animals swim into the fresh water and begin to jointly hunt for local fish. Otters together drive a whole school of fish into some 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 nature, otters are peaceful animals. Their calm character remains for most of the year, however, during the mating season between rivals,males can have real bloody battles for a female!
Birds living in swamps
Scientists who have studied the fauna of swamps claim that this area is quite suitable for the existence of many representatives of the world of fauna, including birds. For example, the succulent stems and fruits of marsh plants are an indispensable food source for ptarmigans, short-eared owls, waders, and ducks. These birds have long chosen this area and feel quite comfortable here.
Frankly speaking, birds don't really like to settle in these territories. Ornithologists have noticed that occasionally black grouse and capercaillie fly to the swamps. Apparently, they are driven by the desire to eat delicious berries. According to scientists, even a gray crane can settle in the rather swampy upper reaches of these places. The fact is that the swamp for cranes is a real protection from external civilization. Besides, not everyone will be able to get through such swamps!
Queen of the swamps
Speaking about what animals found shelter in the swamp, one cannot fail to 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 settle here for a reason! The fact is that thickets of shrubs, sedges and reeds serve as excellent protection against predators. Moreover, there is always something to profit from here (for example, frogs).
The heron, of course, cannot be called a beautiful bird, but the queen of the swamps is quite! Although some ornithologists still believe that a certain beauty and even grace are characteristic to some extent of thisfauna representative. Nevertheless, awkward and angular movements, as well as strange, and sometimes frankly clumsy poses, nullify all her beauty.
Be that as it may, the herons have perfectly adapted to life in such a peculiar habitat. It is impossible to imagine these birds outside any reservoirs and swamps! They agilely climb in the reeds, move perfectly through the water. But their voice is unpleasant, reminiscent of either someone's cries, or someone's roar. Ornithologists warn that herons are very insidious and sometimes vicious creatures. They live in communities, but these birds cannot be called sociable.
In general, the diet of herons is fish, but there is practically none in the swampy areas. This explains the predilection of these creatures for frogs. Herons enjoy eating tailless amphibians, crayfish, worms and gastropods.
And finally… Why are there so many frogs in the swamp?
At the beginning of the article, we talked about the harsh conditions of life in the marshland. Since this area has a pronounced high acidity, many animals and plants of the swamp have a low level of oxidation. Such protection has developed with them over time. The cold-blooded inhabitants of the area, namely frogs, toads and newts, are especially well suited. Perhaps for this reason, they are the most numerous inhabitants of the marshlands (see photo of the marsh).
