Mudflats, where mudskippers primarily reside, are rich in organic matter, algae, small invertebrates during high tides. However, during low tides, these areas become uncovered, exposing a bountiful food source on the land for mudskippers.
Mudskippers have adapted anatomical structures like large eyes, pectoral fins, and strong pelvic fins to navigate and forage on land for insects and other small animals that inhabit the moist mud.
2. Avoiding Predators:
Moving onto land provides mudskippers with a strategic advantage to evade predators. While predators like fish and larger marine animals thrive in water, mudskippers can temporarily abandon the water's edge and escape to the land where these predators cannot easily reach them.
3. Finding Mates:
When mudskippers venture onto land, they encounter a wider pool of potential mates than they would if they remained solely in the water. Male mudskippers establish territories on land and use various courtship displays to attract females, including fin flicking, head shaking, and vocalizations.
4. Temperature Regulation:
Mudskippers have the ability to regulate their body temperature to a certain extent, even when exposed to extreme temperatures on land. This allows them to tolerate fluctuating conditions and extend their foraging and territorial behaviors beyond the water's edge.
5. Exploring New Territory:
Mudskipper excursions onto land provide them with opportunities to explore and discover new habitats rich in food resources and potential mates. As semi-terrestrial animals, they possess a natural curiosity and a need to expand their home range.