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Animal Habitats & Biomes

Freshwater Animals

Freshwater is a vital and scarce resource on our planet with only 3% of the water on Earth being freshwater rivers and lakes, the rest being oceans. Freshwater rivers and lakes are formed when hollows are made in the Earth, such as when land collapses after a magma flow allowing for rainwater or melted snow to flow through and accumulate in the empty space. However, even though freshwater biomes are not expansive, they are still home to over 100,000 different species of plants and animals. Many amphibian species, such as turtles, frogs, and alligators, live in freshwater biomes. Mammals, such as otters and beavers, live in freshwater biomes too, with many more mammals stopping by a river or lake for a drink.

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National Geographic - Freshwater Habitats

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Browse through our curated Freshwater Animals Guides for additional categorizations, tips, details, variations, styles, and histories of Freshwater Animals. Guides provide additional insights into the unique properties and shared relationships between elements.

7”-9” | 17.8-22.9 cm

—

—

—

5’-6.5’ | 1.5-2 m

—

—

50-125 lb | 22.7-56.7 kg

—

20-50 years

—

Alligator Gar

22.900

200.000

56.700

50.00

72000

8.5”-11.5” | 21.6-29.2 cm

—

—

—

5’-7’ | 1.52-2.13 m

—

—

60-200 lb | 27-91 kg

—

20-30 years

—

American Paddlefish

29.200

213.000

91.000

30.00

21000

5”-6.75” | 12.7-17.1 cm

—

—

—

19”-24” | 48-61 cm

—

—

3-8 lb | 1.4-3.6 kg

—

6-10 years

—

American Shad

17.100

61.000

3.600

10.00

4500

2.5”-4” | 6.4-10.2 cm

—

—

—

12”-20” | 30.5-51 cm

—

—

2-4 lb | .9-1.8 kg

—

5-10 years

—

Arctic Grayling

10.200

51.000

1.800

10.00

3500

6.5”-9” | 16.5-22.9 cm

—

—

—

28”-40” | 71-102 cm

—

—

8-12 lb | 3.6-5.4 kg

—

5-13 years

—

Atlantic Salmon

22.900

102.000

5.400

13.00

13000

1.5”-3.75” | 3.8-9.5 cm

—

—

—

4”-11” | 10-28 cm

—

—

3-4 lb | 1.4-1.8 kg

—

7-15 years

—

Black Crappie

9.500

28.000

1.800

15.00

6800

3”-6.5” | 7.6-16.5 cm

—

—

—

7”-16” | 18-41 cm

—

—

1-2.6 lb | .5-1.2 kg

—

5-10 years

—

Bluegill

16.500

41.000

1.200

10.00

33000

2”-5.5” | 5-14 cm

—

—

—

10”-26” | 25-66 cm

—

—

.6-6.6 lb | .3-3 kg

—

5-15 years

—

Brook Trout

14.000

66.000

3.000

15.00

24000

5”-7” | 12.7-17.8 cm

—

—

—

24”-34” | 61-86 cm

—

—

3-9 lb | 1.4-4 kg

—

5-12 years

—

Bull Trout

17.800

86.000

4.000

12.00

5600

2”-4.5” | 5-11.4 cm

—

—

—

12”-24” | 30.5-61 cm

—

—

2-7 lb | .9-3.2 kg

—

15-25 years

—

Channel Catfish

11.400

61.000

3.200

25.00

19000

5.5”-8.5” | 14-21.6 cm

—

—

—

24”-36” | 61-91 cm

—

—

30-40 lb | 13.6-18.1 kg

—

5-9 years

—

Chinook Salmon

21.600

91.000

18.100

9.00

17000

6”-10” | 15.2-25.4 cm

—

—

—

24”-40” | 61-102 cm

—

—

8-22 lb | 3.6-10 kg

—

3-7 years

—

Chum Salmon

25.400

102.000

10.000

7.00

6200

4.5”-7.5” | 11.4-19 cm

—

—

—

18”-30” | 46-76 cm

—

—

8-35 lb | 3.6-16 kg

—

2-4 years

—

Coho Salmon

19.000

76.000

16.000

4.00

20000

54.0"-78.0" (4’6"-6'6") | 1.4-2 m

—

—

—

114.0"-168.0" (9’6"-14’) | 2.9-4.3 m

—

—

3,100-8,800 lb | 1,500-4,000 kg

—

40-50 years

—

Hippopotamus

200.000

430.000

4000.000

50.00

84000

5.5”-11” | 14-28 cm

—

—

—

36”-72” | 91-183 cm

—

—

30-100 lb | 13.6-45.4 kg

—

55-150 years

—

Lake Sturgeon

28.000

183.000

45.400

150.00

7300

4”-7” | 10.2-17.8 cm

—

—

—

20”-36” | 51-91 cm

—

—

4-22 lb | 1.8-10 kg

—

10-40 years

—

Lake Trout

17.800

91.000

10.000

40.00

14000

4”-8” | 10.2-20.3 cm

—

—

—

15”-30” | 38-76 cm

—

—

1.8-30 lb | .8-13.6 kg

—

15-20 years

—

Largemouth Bass

20.300

76.000

13.600

20.00

42000

3.5”-6.5” | 8.9-16.5 cm

—

—

—

28”-48” | 71-122 cm

—

—

10-40 lb | 4.5-18.1 kg

—

15-30 years

—

Muskellunge

16.500

122.000

18.100

30.00

10000

4.5”-6.7” | 11.5-17 cm

—

—

—

10”-15” | 25-38 cm

—

—

1.5-4.5 lb | .7-2 kg

—

2-4 years (wild); up to 10 years (captivity)

—

Muskrat

17.000

38.000

2.000

10.00

106000

14.2”-16.9” | 36-43 cm

—

—

—

29”-35” | 74-89 cm

—

—

25-75 lb | 11.3-34 kg

—

10-15 years (wild); 15-25 years (captivity)

—

North American Beaver

43.000

89.000

34.000

25.00

3500

2.25”-3.75” | 5.7-9.5 cm

—

—

—

16”-26” | 41-66 cm

—

—

1.5-4 lb | .7-1.8 kg

—

10-25 years

—

Northern Pike

9.500

66.000

1.800

25.00

30000

4.5”-7” | 11.4-17.8 cm

—

—

—

20”-30” | 51-76 cm

—

—

2-8 lb | .9-3.6 kg

—

4-11 years

—

Rainbow Trout

17.800

76.000

3.600

11.00

19000

—

—

—

14’-23’ | 4.25-7 m (Male); 7.5’-11’ | 2.30-3.35 m (Female)

—

—

880-2200 lb | 400-1000 kg (Male); 180-220 lb | 82-100 kg (Female)

—

70-100 (wild); 100-120 (captivity)

—

Saltwater Crocodile

700.000

1000.000

120.00

31000

2.5”-6.5” | 6.4-16.5 cm

—

—

—

10”-27” | 25-69 cm

—

—

.8-12 lb | .4-5.4 kg

—

5-15 years

—

Smallmouth Bass

16.500

69.000

5.400

15.00

26000

5.5”-15.5” | 14-39.4 cm

—

—

—

20”-55” | 51-140 cm

—

—

5-70 lb | 2.3-32 kg

—

20-30 years

—

Striped Bass

39.400

140.000

32.000

30.00

32000

4.5”-8.5” | 11.4-21.6 cm

—

—

—

22”-42” | 56-107 cm

—

—

3-7 lb | 1.4-3.2 kg

—

15-25 years

—

Walleye

21.600

107.000

3.200

25.00

58000

2.5”-5.5” | 6.4-14 cm

—

—

—

10”-18” | 25-46 cm

—

—

2-5 lb | .9-2.3 kg

—

4-9 years

—

White Bass

14.000

46.000

2.300

9.00

15000

1”-2.5” | 2.5-6.4 cm

—

—

—

4”-10” | 10-25 cm

—

—

.5-1 lb | .2-.5 kg

—

7-13 years

—

Yellow Perch

6.400

25.000

0.500

13.00

12000

The Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is also called moonfish, Crappie, grass bass, and strawberry bass. It is primarily a recreational fish that love to feed in the wee hours of the morning in schools. It loves swimming around sheltered areas with a prevalent food source and away from predation by enemies.

The Black Crappie are members of the family Centrarchidae, native to freshwater lakes, reservoirs, and rivers of North America. The fish is identified by its gills covering having spines, a deeper body lacking distinct vertical bars but with irregular black blotches and a dorsal fin with 7 to 8 spines that differentiate it from the White Crappie.

Black Crappies have a total length between 4”-11” (10-28 cm), body height of 1.5”-3.75” (3.8-9.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 3-4 lb (1.4-1.8 kg). The typical lifespan of the Black Crappie is 7-15 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Black Crappie in front and side poses

The Black Crappie (Pomoxis nigromaculatus) is also called moonfish, Crappie, grass bass, and strawberry bass. It is primarily a recreational fish that love to feed in the wee hours of the morning in schools. It loves swimming around sheltered areas with a prevalent food source and away from enemies.

Black Crappies have a total length between 4”-11” (10-28 cm), body height of 1.5”-3.75” (3.8-9.5 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 3-4 lb (1.4-1.8 kg). The typical lifespan of the Black Crappie is 7-15 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Black Crappie in front and side poses

Height:

1.5”-3.75” | 3.8-9.5 cm

Width:

Length:

4”-11” | 10-28 cm

Depth:

Weight:

3-4 lb | 1.4-1.8 kg

Area:

Scientific Name

Pomoxis nigromaculatus

Lifespan

7-15 years

Drawings include:
 Black Crappie side elevation, front

Links

Wikipedia - Black Crappie

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North American Beaver

Dimensioned size comparison illustration of the North American Beaver compared to an average person

Scientifically known as Castor canadensis and known best for its dam building, the North American Beaver is a semi-aquatic rodent physically distinguished by its broad, flat tail. It is identified as the largest rodent in North America and the second largest in the world just behind the capybara.

The purpose of dam building is to create a deep pond in which the beaver can establish its home. The dam is constructed across streams and consists of a pile of sticks with underwater entrances as the beaver is a skillful swimmer. The home or burrow is then made out of sticks and twigs as well.

North American Beavers have a height of 14.2”-16.9” (36-43 cm), body length between 29”-35” (74-89 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 25-75 lb (11.3-34 kg). The tail length of a North American Beaver is 7.9”-13.8” (20-35 cm). North American Beavers have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and up to 15-25 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of the North American Beaver in various standing poses

Scientifically known as Castor canadensis and known best for its dam building, the North American Beaver is a semi-aquatic rodent physically distinguished by its broad, flat tail. It is identified as the largest rodent in North America and the second largest in the world just behind the capybara.

North American Beavers have a height of 14.2”-16.9” (36-43 cm), body length between 29”-35” (74-89 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 25-75 lb (11.3-34 kg). The tail length of a North American Beaver is 7.9”-13.8” (20-35 cm). North American Beavers have a typical lifespan of 10-15 years in the wild and up to 15-25 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of the North American Beaver in various standing poses

North American Beaver

Height:

14.2”-16.9” | 36-43 cm

Width:

Length:

29”-35” | 74-89 cm

Depth:

Weight:

25-75 lb | 11.3-34 kg

Area:

Tail Length

7.9”-13.8” | 20-35 cm

Scientific Name

Castor canadensis

Lifespan

10-15 years (wild); 15-25 years (captivity)

Drawings include:
 North American Beaver side elevation (standing), front (standing), side (sitting), back (sitting)

Links

Wikipedia - North American Beaver

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The American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a fish loved for three primary reasons. First, for its roe. Second for its meat rich in omega-3 fatty acid and third, for recreational purposes like sport fishing and the annual shad festival. The fish inhabits the coastal waters of North America preferring to spend most of its time in the Atlantic ocean and only migrate to freshwater when it wants to spawn. The American Shad is also called Atlantic shad, herring jacks, or Potomac shad. They are classified under the family Clupeidae and recognized by their distinct keel on the belly, moderately compressed bodies, and sharp saw-like scales.

American Shad have a total length between 19”-24” (48-61 cm), body height of 5”-6.75” (12.7-17.1 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 3-8 lb (1.4-3.6 kg). The typical lifespan of the American Shad is 6-10 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of American Shad in front and side poses

The American Shad (Alosa sapidissima) is a fish loved for three primary reasons. First, for its roe. Second for its meat rich in omega-3 fatty acid and third, for recreational purposes like sport fishing and the annual shad festival. The fish inhabits the coastal waters of North America.

American Shad have a total length between 19”-24” (48-61 cm), body height of 5”-6.75” (12.7-17.1 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 3-8 lb (1.4-3.6 kg). The typical lifespan of the American Shad is 6-10 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of American Shad in front and side poses

Height:

5”-6.75” | 12.7-17.1 cm

Width:

Length:

19”-24” | 48-61 cm

Depth:

Weight:

3-8 lb | 1.4-3.6 kg

Area:

Scientific Name

Alosa sapidissima

Lifespan

6-10 years

Drawings include:
 American Shad side elevation, front

Links

Wikipedia - American Shad

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The Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is loved both as a food fish and game fish. It features in the annual lake trout fishing derby of the people of Geneva and New York. The fish prefers cold freshwater lakes and rivers in northern North America.

Lake Trout are also called mackinaw, Lake char, and grey trout, and are members of the family Salmonidae distinguished by its deeply forked caudal fin, greenish body, and yellow or cream spots on its head, body, caudal, and dorsal fin. They are the largest char members having later maturity and both low reproduction and growth potential.

Lake Trout have a total length between 20”-36” (51-91 cm), body height of 4”-7” (10.2-17.8 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 4-22 lb (1.8-10 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lake Trout is 10-40 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Lake Trout in front and side poses

The Lake Trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is loved both as a food fish and game fish. It features in the annual lake trout fishing derby of the people of Geneva and New York. The fish prefers cold freshwater lakes and rivers in northern North America.

Lake Trout have a total length between 20”-36” (51-91 cm), body height of 4”-7” (10.2-17.8 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 4-22 lb (1.8-10 kg). The typical lifespan of the Lake Trout is 10-40 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Lake Trout in front and side poses

Height:

4”-7” | 10.2-17.8 cm

Width:

Length:

20”-36” | 51-91 cm

Depth:

Weight:

4-22 lb | 1.8-10 kg

Area:

Scientific Name

Salvelinus namaycush

Lifespan

10-40 years

Drawings include:
 Lake Trout side elevation, front

Links

Wikipedia - Lake Trout

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The Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is also called the Silver salmon or “silvers” and inhabits the North Pacific oceans, rivers, and coastal streams of Alaska and California. They belong to the family Salmonidae with adults having lighter bellies, silversides, and metallic blue backs. As an anadromous fish, the Coho Salmon shows distinct color patterns when in freshwater and ocean water.

Juveniles also show different color patterns when compared to adults. Coho Salmon are distinguished by their white gums, lower lobes having black spots, and large beaks during spawning in males. The indigenous people saw the fish as a representation of life and sustenance.

Coho Salmons have a total length between 18”-30” (46-76 cm), body height of 4.5”-7.5” (11.4-19 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 8-35 lb (3.6-16 kg). The typical lifespan of the Coho Salmon is 2-4 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Coho Salmon viewed from the front and side

The Coho Salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) is also called the Silver salmon or “silvers” and inhabits the North Pacific oceans, rivers, and coastal streams of Alaska and California. They belong to the family Salmonidae with adults having lighter bellies, silversides, and metallic blue backs.

Coho Salmons have a total length between 18”-30” (46-76 cm), body height of 4.5”-7.5” (11.4-19 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 8-35 lb (3.6-16 kg). The typical lifespan of the Coho Salmon is 2-4 years.

Set of scaled elevation drawings of the Coho Salmon viewed from the front and side

Height:

4.5”-7.5” | 11.4-19 cm

Width:

Length:

18”-30” | 46-76 cm

Depth:

Weight:

8-35 lb | 3.6-16 kg

Area:

Scientific Name

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Lifespan

2-4 years

Drawings include:
 Coho Salmon side elevation, front

Links

Wikipedia - Coho Salmon

Details & Downloads

Downloads

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