Pacific salmon
* Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha): Typically spawn at 4 to 6 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 3 years or as late as 8 years.
* Chum salmon (Oncorhynchus keta): Typically spawn at 4 or 5 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 3 years or as late as 6 years.
* Coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch): Typically spawn at 3 or 4 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 2 years or as late as 5 years.
* Pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha): Typically spawn at 2 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 1 year or as late as 3 years.
* Sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka): Typically spawn at 4 or 5 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 3 years or as late as 6 years.
Atlantic salmon
* Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): Typically spawn at 4 or 5 years of age, but some may spawn as early as 2 years or as late as 8 years.
Factors affecting age at maturity
The age at which salmon spawn is influenced by a number of factors, including:
* Genetics: Some salmon populations have a genetic predisposition to spawn at a certain age.
* Environment: Environmental conditions, such as water temperature, food availability, and competition, can also affect the age at which salmon spawn. For example, salmon that live in warmer water tend to mature at a younger age than salmon that live in colder water.
* Population density: In some cases, population density can also affect the age at which salmon spawn. For example, if there is a lot of competition for food, salmon may mature at a younger age in order to increase their chances of survival.
Why do salmon die after spawning?
Pacific salmon die after spawning because their bodies undergo a series of physiological changes that make them unable to survive. These changes include:
* Reduced immune function: Salmon's immune systems become suppressed after spawning, making them more susceptible to disease.
* Increased energy expenditure: Spawning is a very energy-intensive process, and salmon's bodies are not able to recover the energy they lose.
* Nutritional depletion: Salmon stop eating after they start to spawn, and their bodies begin to break down their own tissues for energy. This can lead to malnutrition and organ failure.
The combination of these factors eventually leads to the death of Pacific salmon.