Aquatic facts for kids
Have you ever wondered what "aquatic" means? It's a word often used in biology and ecology. Simply put, "aquatic" means "watery." It describes anything that lives in or relates to water. This includes both fresh water, like in ponds and rivers, and salt water, like in oceans. So, aquatic plants and animals are those that call water their home.
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What Does Aquatic Mean?
The word "aquatic" comes from the Latin word "aqua," which means water. When we say something is aquatic, we are talking about its connection to water. This term is very important in science, especially when studying living things and their environments.
Animals That Live in Water
Many different kinds of animals are aquatic. They have special features that help them survive and thrive in water.
Aquatic Mammals
Some mammals, which are usually land animals, have adapted to live in water.
- Whales and dolphins are fully aquatic. They spend their entire lives in the ocean.
- Seals and walruses (called pinnipeds) spend most of their time in water but come onto land or ice to rest and have their young.
- Other mammals like otters and beavers live in rivers and lakes. They are excellent swimmers and divers.
Aquatic Birds
There are also many birds that are aquatic. They have unique adaptations for finding food and moving in water.
- Ducks and geese are common aquatic birds. They have webbed feet for paddling.
- Herons and waders have long legs to stand in shallow water while hunting fish.
- Kingfishers are known for diving headfirst into water to catch fish.
- Penguins are flightless birds that are amazing swimmers. They live mostly in the cold waters of the Southern Hemisphere.
Other Aquatic Animals
Besides mammals and birds, many other animals are aquatic.
- Fish are the most obvious aquatic animals. They breathe underwater using gills.
- Amphibians like frogs and salamanders often start their lives in water.
- Many invertebrates (animals without backbones) are also aquatic. This includes crabs, jellyfish, and countless tiny insects and worms that live in water.
Plants That Live in Water
Just like animals, many plants have adapted to live in water. These are called aquatic plants, or sometimes hydrophytes or macrophytes.
- Some aquatic plants, like water lilies, have leaves that float on the surface. Their roots are anchored in the mud below.
- Other plants, like seaweed, live entirely underwater. They absorb nutrients directly from the water.
- Some plants, like cattails, grow along the edges of ponds and rivers. Their roots are in wet soil, but their stems and leaves grow above the water.
- Aquatic plants are very important for the environment. They provide food and shelter for aquatic animals. They also help keep the water clean by absorbing extra nutrients.
See also
In Spanish: Acuático para niños
