Invertebrates:
* Crustaceans: These are abundant, including crabs (like fiddler crabs, blue crabs, and ghost crabs), shrimp, and barnacles.
* Insects: Mosquitoes, flies, and other insects find food and breeding grounds in the marsh.
* Worms: Various types of worms, including polychaete worms and nematodes, burrow in the mud, contributing to nutrient cycling.
* Mollusks: Snails, clams, oysters, and mussels are found in salt marshes, filtering water and providing food for other animals.
Fish:
* Saltwater Fish: Many fish species, including flounder, mullet, striped bass, and killifish, use salt marshes for breeding, nursery grounds, and food.
* Eel: American eels are common in salt marshes, entering from the ocean to live and reproduce.
Birds:
* Shorebirds: Numerous species of shorebirds, like sandpipers, plovers, and oystercatchers, feed on invertebrates and fish in the marsh.
* Waterfowl: Ducks, geese, and other waterfowl often use salt marshes for feeding and resting.
* Wading Birds: Herons, egrets, and ibis hunt fish and other prey in the shallow waters.
* Marsh Birds: Saltmarsh sparrows, black rails, and other birds have adapted to live in the marsh's unique habitat.
Mammals:
* Muskrat: These semi-aquatic rodents build lodges and burrows in the marsh, feeding on plants.
* Raccoon: Raccoons forage in salt marshes, scavenging for food.
* Otter: River otters sometimes venture into salt marshes to hunt.
* Deer: White-tailed deer occasionally graze in salt marshes, especially during low tide.
Reptiles:
* Snakes: Various snake species, including garter snakes and water snakes, inhabit salt marshes.
* Lizards: Anoles and other lizards may be found in the salt marsh's edges.
* Turtles: Turtles, including diamondback terrapins and snapping turtles, inhabit salt marshes, feeding on invertebrates and plants.
Important Note: The specific animals found in a salt marsh will vary depending on the location, size, and environmental conditions of the marsh.