Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

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Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Water habitats

Water habitats

Water as habitat

In a bushland habitat fresh water is found in the form of creeks, ponds and 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.

Pond with rocks and plants around the edges
Image: 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.
Large area of water with reeds growing around the edges
Image: 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 duck swimming on top of water
Image: Pacific black ducks will feed on plants growing in or under water. They often make their nest in reeds growing in the middle of a waterway.
Logs on the edge of a waterway
Image: Fallen logs create habitat next to creeks and rivers that are used by ducks and reptiles.
Turtles on logs on the edge of a pond
Image: 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. 

Dragon fly with large wings
Image: 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.
Dragon fly nymph with no wings
Image: Nymphs prey upon water-dwelling insects, worms, fish and tadpoles and are themselves an important food source for larger insects, fish and water birds.

habitat book
Image: Habitat digital book

Find out more

Habitat is a special 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.

Download free from Apple Books.

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We’d like to acknowledge the Wallumedegal Peoples of the Darug Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we stand and pay our respects to Elders past and present.

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