Water habitats
Water as habitat
In a bushland environment fresh water is found in the form of creeks, ponds and puddles from rain. Some animals don’t need a permanent water source but can gain the water they need from their food such as leaves or other animals. Many predators also feed on fresh water animals.
Natural or built ponds provide habitat and water to many animals. Some frogs require a permanent source of water such as a pond for them to complete their life cycle.
Water can be used for spawning, nursery and nesting sites. Animals such as frogs and dragonflies rely on water to complete their life cycle, beginning as eggs in bodies of fresh water.
Pacific black ducks feed on plants growing in or under water. They often make their nest in reeds growing in the middle of a waterway.
Fallen logs create habitat next to creeks and rivers that are used by ducks and reptiles.
When logs fall into the water they become habitats for fish, tortoises and many aquatic invertebrates.
Dragonflies
In a similar way to frogs, dragonflies spend part of their life cycle in water. Adult dragonflies lay their eggs in or near fresh water such as ponds, streams or lakes. The larvae or nymphs which emerge from eggs live in the water around plants and rocks.
Adult dragonflies live on land. They lay their eggs in fresh water.
Dragonfly nymphs live in fresh water. They prey upon water-dwelling insects, worms, fish and tadpoles and are themselves an important food source for larger insects, fish and water birds.
Habitat digital book
Find out more
Habitat is a digital book that investigates the needs of living things through detailed text, interactive activities, videos and stunning images.
Explore the value of habitats such as trees, shrubs and ground cover plants and non-living habitats such as leaf litter, rocks, logs and water.
Find out how to create and restore habitats that will help animals survive and thrive.
This book supports Australian Curriculum biological sciences and living world.