8 Animals of the Rivers-High

Animals of the Rivers FOCUS Question How do animals live in rivers?

What Is a River? Rivers are places where water flows on land. Many kinds of animals live in rivers. Some stay in the water all the time. Others stay in the water for only part of their lives.

Living in the Water All animals must breathe. Some river animals swim to the top of the water. Then they take a breath of air. Others breathe under water! Fish have parts called gills. Gills help them get oxygen (OK-suh-jin) from the water.

Living on the Water Ducks and other birds swim on top of the water. Ducks have webbed feet. Their feet help them swim. A duck's mouth is called a bill. Its flat-shaped bill helps the duck eat small plants and animals in the river.

In Rivers and Oceans Salmon are fish that spend some of their life in oceans and some in rivers. Adult salmon swim up the river to lay their eggs where they were born. Wowser! A salmon can find the place where it was born by smell!

In and Out of the River Frogs spend only part of their lives in rivers. Adult frogs lay eggs in rivers. Their babies are called tadpoles. Tadpoles have gills. Tadpoles grow legs and turn into frogs. Frogs live on land and in the water. They have webbed feet for swimming. Wowser! Frogs can breathe through their skin.