Fish:
* Popular examples: Trout, salmon, catfish, bass, carp, goldfish (though these are often domesticated)
* Diverse types: From tiny minnows to enormous sturgeon, there's a huge variety
Amphibians:
* Popular examples: Frogs, toads, salamanders, newts
* Lifecycles: Many spend part of their life in water (tadpoles) and part on land
Reptiles:
* Examples: Alligators, crocodiles (some species), turtles, snakes (e.g., water snakes)
* Adaptations: Some have webbed feet, others can hold their breath for long periods
Invertebrates:
* Huge diversity: Insects (dragonflies, water beetles), crustaceans (crayfish, shrimp), molluscs (snails, mussels), worms (earthworms, leeches)
* Important roles: They form the base of the food chain and break down organic matter
Mammals:
* Examples: Beavers, otters, muskrats, water shrews, dolphins (river dolphins)
* Adaptations: Webbed feet, waterproof fur, adaptations for swimming
Other:
* Plankton: Microscopic organisms (algae, bacteria, zooplankton) that form the base of the freshwater food web
* Birds: Waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans), wading birds (herons, egrets)
Important Note: The specific animals found in freshwater habitats vary depending on:
* Location: Tropical freshwater is different from Arctic freshwater
* Water type: Lakes, rivers, ponds, swamps all have different conditions
* Depth and temperature: These influence which species can survive
Let me know if you'd like to learn more about specific animals or freshwater habitats!