Swamp | Wetland Animals

Swamp | Wetland Animals

Description
Description

Swamp and wetland animals inhabit ecosystems where water is the primary factor controlling the environment and associated plant and animal life. These areas, including marshes, bogs, and fens, are often rich in biodiversity. Wetlands provide crucial services like water purification, flood protection, and carbon storage. Animals adapted to these environments often display unique features like webbed feet or specialized breathing organs. Evolutionarily, these species have thrived in these rich, albeit challenging, habitats, evolving to exploit the aquatic resources and dense vegetation. Swamps and wetlands are considered some of Earth's most productive environments, teeming with life from amphibians and reptiles to birds and mammals.

Anatomy
Anatomy

Swamp and wetland animals exhibit diverse anatomical adaptations suited to their water-logged habitats. Many have webbed feet for swimming, like ducks, or long legs and toes for wading through shallow waters, as seen in herons. Amphibians might have permeable skin for breathing underwater. Reptiles such as crocodiles possess streamlined bodies for efficient movement and can stay submerged for long periods. Birds might have specialized beaks for probing mud or catching fish. Their senses are often attuned to the dim light and murky waters, with some species using echolocation or sensitive whiskers to navigate and hunt. Vocal communication varies widely, from the croaks of frogs to the calls of wetland birds.

Human Interaction
Human Interaction

Humans have a complex relationship with swamp and wetland animals, historically viewing these habitats as foreboding and mysterious, often draining them for agriculture or settlements. In pop culture, creatures like alligators and swamp monsters are depicted as villains or mysterious beings.

Conservation awareness has grown, recognizing wetlands as biodiversity hotspots and crucial for water purification and flood control. Efforts like the Ramsar Convention focus on wetland conservation. Ecotourism in places like the Florida Everglades has become popular, promoting appreciation and protection. Yet, many wetland species remain threatened due to habitat loss, pollution, and climate change, necessitating ongoing human intervention for their survival.

Common Questions
Common Questions
What are common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps?

The most common characteristics of the animals that live in swamps include having webbed feet to help them move quickly through water environments as well as camouflage to protect themselves. Camouflage also helps them hide within their surroundings and hunt. Animals that live in swamps also can remain in the water for an extended time.

What do swamp animals eat?

Swamp animals typically eat insects, spiders, earthworms, as well as slugs. Swamp animals usually eat the animals that fall below them in the food chain and are native to the swamp habitats. Swamp Animals often eat small fish, insects, crustaceans, and mollusks. Herbivore swamp animals eat algae, water lilies, cattails, and algae.

How do wetlands help endangered species?

Wetlands help endangered species because they improve water quality and provide wildlife habitat. Wetlands are also important as they maintain ecosystem productivity, reduce coastal storm damage, and provide recreational opportunities. Wetlands are significant in the preservation of endangered species by improving water supply and providing possibilities for education.

Animals

* Under Development *

8”-11” | 20-28 cm
14”-19” | 36-48 cm
4-14 lb | 2-6 kg
2-4 years (wild); up to 6 years (captivity)
Virginia Opossum
28.000
48.000
6.000
6.00
8900
GUIDE
3D
Virginia Opossum
48.4”-55.5” | 123-141 cm
22.4”-27.6” | 57-70 cm
80”-91” | 203-232 cm
1320-2645 lb | 600-1200 kg
20-25 years
Water Buffalo
141.000
70.000
232.000
1200.000
25.00
112700
GUIDE
3D
Water Buffalo
1’6”-1’10” | 46-56 cm
2’6”-3’4” | 76-102 cm
20-30 lb | 9-14 kg
10-12 years
Water Deer
56.000
102.000
14.000
12.00
7100
GUIDE
3D
Water Deer
.8”-1.4” | 2-3.5 cm
2’-4’ | .61-1.22 m
.55-1.3 lb | .25-.6 kg
20-25 years
Water Moccasin
3.500
122.000
0.600
25.00
191000
GUIDE
3D
Water Moccasin
.22”-.33” | 5.5-8.3 mm (Male); .17”-.26” | 4.3-6.6 mm (Female)
.18”-.28” | 4.5-7 mm (Male); .14”-.22” | 3.5-5.5 mm (Female)
.94”-1.46” | 24-37 mm (Male); .75”-1.1” | 19-28 mm (Female)
1-2 years
Water Spider | Diving Bell Spider
0.830
0.700
3.700
2.00
28800
GUIDE
3D
Water Spider | Diving Bell Spider
9.6”-11.4” | 24.5-29 cm
15.75”-20.1” | 40-51 cm (Wingspan)
8.3”-9.8” | 21-25 cm
.19-.32 lb | .085-.145 kg
3-6.5 years
Wattled Jacana
29.000
51.000
25.000
0.145
6.50
2000
GUIDE
3D
Wattled Jacana
7.9”-10.6” | 20-27 cm (Shoulder)
3.9”-5.1” | 10-13 cm
17.7”-25.6” | 45-65 cm
3.3-10 lb | 1.5-4.5 kg
7-9 years
Western Falanouc
27.000
13.000
65.000
4.500
9.00
20
GUIDE
3D
Western Falanouc
2’6”-3’ | 76-91 cm
5’-6’ | 152-183 cm
150-220 lb | 68-100 kg
10-14 years (wild); up to 20 years (captivity)
Wild Boar
91.000
183.000
100.000
20.00
39000
GUIDE
3D
Wild Boar
23.6”-31.1” | 60-79 cm
49.2”-61” | 125-155 cm (Wingspan)
35.8”-46.1” | 91-117 cm
5.5-24.3 lb | 2.5-11 kg
3-5 years
Wild Turkey
79.000
155.000
117.000
11.000
5.00
3300
GUIDE
3D
Wild Turkey
12”-13.8” | 30.5-35 cm
26”-30” | 66-76 cm (Wingspan)
18.5”-21.3” | 47-54 cm
1-1.9 lb | .45-.86 kg
15-23 years
Wood Duck
35.000
76.000
54.000
0.860
23.00
74600
GUIDE
3D
Wood Duck
.71”-1.42” | 1.8-3.6 cm
.55”-1.14” | 1.4-2.9 cm
1.4”-2.8” | 3.6-7.1 cm
.3-.5 oz | 8.5-14 g
3-5 years
Wood Frog
3.600
2.900
7.100
0.014
5.00
16150
GUIDE
3D
Wood Frog
Zebu
91150
48.8”-62.2” | 124-158 cm
22.4”-28” | 57-71 cm
71”-89” | 180-226 cm
330-600 lb | 150-270 kg
18-21 years
Zebu
158.000
71.000
226.000
270.000
21.00
91150
GUIDE
3D
Zebu
Dilophosaurus (Dilophosaurus wetherilli)
Scale illustration of an average Dilophosaurus compared to a person

The Dilophosaurus is a theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the Early Jurassic. In 1940 three skeletons were discovered in northern Arizona, and its genus name, ”two-crested lizard”, honors John Wetherill, a Navajo councilor. It was an active and bipedal species that may have hunted both large and small animals as well as fish. While smaller than some later theropods, the Dilophosaurus was one of the earliest large predatory dinosaurs; it was slender and lightly built with a proportionally large skull. The skill was narrow with a pair of longitudinal, plate-shaped crests.

The Dilophosaurus had an overall length between 16’-20’ (4.88-6.1 m), standing height of 5.7’-7.4’ (1.75-2.25 m), and body width of 15.75”-23.6” (40-60 cm). The weight of the Dilophosaurus was between 650-1,000 lb (295-454 kg).

Scaled collection of drawings of Dilophosaurus in various poses with dimensions
The Dilophosaurus is a theropod dinosaur that lived in North America during the Early Jurassic. In 1940 three skeletons were discovered in northern Arizona, and its genus name, ”two-crested lizard”, honors John Wetherill, a Navajo councilor. It was an active and bipedal species.

The Dilophosaurus had an overall length between 16’-20’ (4.88-6.1 m), standing height of 5.7’-7.4’ (1.75-2.25 m), and body width of 15.75”-23.6” (40-60 cm). The weight of the Dilophosaurus was between 650-1,000 lb (295-454 kg).

Scaled collection of drawings of Dilophosaurus in various poses with dimensions
Dilophosaurus (Dilophosaurus wetherilli)
Height:
5.7’-7.4’ | 1.75-2.25 m
Width:
15.75”-23.6” | 40-60 cm
Length:
16’-20’ | 4.88-6.1 m
Depth:
Weight:
650-1,000 lb | 295-454 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Dilophosaurus wetherilli
Lifespan

Drawings include:

Dilophosaurus top view, side

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Mamenchisaurus (Mamenchisaurus constructus)
Scale illustration of an average Mamenchisaurus compared to a person

The Mamenchisaurus is a sauropod dinosaur known for its long neck that makes up half of its total body length. While not as thickly built as the Apatosaurus or the Argentinosaurus, the Mamenchisaurus’ neck was the most impressive, with no less than nineteen huge, elongated vertebrae. It lived in the Oxfordian age of late Jurassic Period in China. Some paleontologists believe that the Mamenchisaurus was incapable of holding its neck to its full vertical position, and instead it swept it back and forth close to the ground. As a result, it consumed a herbivorous diet of low-lying shrubbery.

The Mamenchisaurus had an overall length between 49.2’-85.3’ (15-26 m), standing height of 20.3’-37.4’ (6.2-11.4 m), body width of 5.25’-9.8’ (1.6-3 m), and weight from 60,000-176,000 lb (27,216-79,832 kg). The typical lifespan of the Mamenchisaurus was between 35-45 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Mamenchisaurus in various poses with dimensions
The Mamenchisaurus is a sauropod dinosaur known for its long neck that makes up half of its total body length. While not as thickly built as the Apatosaurus or the Argentinosaurus, the Mamenchisaurus’ neck was the most impressive, with no less than nineteen huge, elongated vertebrae.

The Mamenchisaurus had an overall length between 49.2’-85.3’ (15-26 m), standing height of 20.3’-37.4’ (6.2-11.4 m), body width of 5.25’-9.8’ (1.6-3 m), and weight from 60,000-176,000 lb (27,216-79,832 kg). The typical lifespan of the Mamenchisaurus was between 35-45 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Mamenchisaurus in various poses with dimensions
Mamenchisaurus (Mamenchisaurus constructus)
Height:
20.3’-37.4’ | 6.2-11.4 m
Width:
5.25’-9.8’ | 1.6-3 m
Length:
49.2’-85.3’ | 15-26 m
Depth:
Weight:
60,000-176,000 lb | 27,216-79,832 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Mamenchisaurus constructus
Lifespan
35-45 years

Drawings include:

Mamenchisaurus top view, side

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Moonrat

The Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura) is a small mammal species not directly related to rats as its name or resemblance suggest. It is the primitive to the tropical hedgehog and has a long tail and black and white fur instead of spines. Moonrats are native to the jungle regions of southern Myanmar, the Thailand Peninsula, Malaysia Peninsula, Borneo, and Sumatra. The Moonrat has a distinct ammonia-like or rotten garlic odor that can be smelled from yards away. Their diet typically consists of snails, crabs, small vertebrates, and fruit.

Moonrats have a shoulder height of 5.5”-8.25” (14-21 cm), body length between 11.8”-17.7” (30-45 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 1.9-2.4 lb (.8-1.1 kg). The tail of the Moonrat is 7.9”-11.8” (20-30 cm) in length. Moonrats have a typical lifespan of 3-7 years in wild and up to 7 years when raised in captivity.

Set of standing side elevation drawings of the Moonrat
The Moonrat (Echinosorex gymnura) is a small mammal species not directly related to rats as its name or resemblance suggest. It is the primitive to the tropical hedgehog and has a long tail and black and white fur instead of spines. The Moonrat has a distinct ammonia-like or rotten garlic odor.

Moonrats have a shoulder height of 5.5”-8.25” (14-21 cm), body length between 11.8”-17.7” (30-45 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 1.9-2.4 lb (.8-1.1 kg). The tail of the Moonrat is 7.9”-11.8” (20-30 cm) in length. Moonrats have a typical lifespan of 3-7 years in wild and up to 7 years when raised in captivity.

Set of standing side elevation drawings of the Moonrat
Moonrat
Height:
5.5”-8.25” | 14-21 cm
Width:
Length:
11.8”-17.7” | 30-45 cm
Depth:
Weight:
1.9-2.4 lb | .8-1.1 kg
Area:
Tail Length
7.9”-11.8” | 20-30 cm
Scientific Name
Echinosorex gymnura
Lifespan
3-7 years (wild); up to 7 years (captivity)

Drawings include:

Moonrat side elevation (standing), front (standing)

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Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Red River Hog to a typical person

The Red River Hog (Potamochoerus Porcus) is a wild member of Africa's pig family with a large portion of its population found in the forests of Guinea and Congo. Red River Hogs stay close to the rainforests and preferably those areas in the vicinity of rivers or swamps. The Red River Hog has black paws and a tufted white line, striking orange to reddish-brown hair.

Adult Red River Hogs have white stripes above their eyes and on their lips and jaws, while most of the muzzle and ears are black in comparison. Male Red River Hogs possess more pronounced facial whiskers. The hair on the jaw and the flanks are longer than those on the neck.

Red River Hogs have a height between 1’10”-2’7” (56-79 cm), body length of 3’4”-5’ (102-152 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 100-285 lb (45-130 kg). The lifespan of a Red River Hog is typically 10-12 years in the wild or 15-20 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Red River Hog in various poses
The Red River Hog (Potamochoerus Porcus) is a wild member of Africa's pig family with a large portion of its population found in the forests of Guinea and Congo. Red River Hogs stay close to the rainforests and preferably those areas in the vicinity of rivers or swamps.

Red River Hogs have a height between 1’10”-2’7” (56-79 cm), body length of 3’4”-5’ (102-152 cm), and an overall weight in the range of 100-285 lb (45-130 kg). The lifespan of a Red River Hog is typically 10-12 years in the wild or 15-20 years in captivity.

Collection of scaled drawings of Red River Hog in various poses
Red River Hog (Potamochoerus porcus)
Height:
1’10”-2’7” | 56-79 cm
Width:
Length:
3’4”-5’ | 102-152 cm
Depth:
Weight:
100-285 lb | 45-130 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Potamochoerus porcus
Lifespan
10-12 years (wild); 15-20 years (captivity)

Drawings include:

Red River Hog side elevation (standing), front (standing), side (lying down)

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Grey-Tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)
Comparison drawing of the Grey-Tailed Tattler compared to other shorebirds

The Grey-Tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) is a small foraging wader that is closely related to the Wandering Tattler. They forage for insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates on the ground or in water. The species breed in the stony riverbeds of northeast Siberia, and during migratory periods, they will travel to the muddy and sandy coasts of Southeast Asia and Australia. Physically, they have gray wings and a gray back, and a scaly breast pattern extends to the belly in breeding plumage. The legs are yellow, and the bill is pale with a dark tip.

The Grey-Tailed Tattler has a wingspan in the range of 18.9”-20.1” (48-51 cm) and total weight of .18-.26 lb (.08-.12 kg). The body of the Grey-Tailed Tattler has an overall length between 9.1”-10.6” (23-27 cm), body width of 2.75”-3.1” (7-8 cm), and standing height of roughly 5.7”-6.7” (14.5-17 cm). The typical lifespan of the Grey-Tailed Tattler is between 13-15 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Grey-Tailed Tattler
The Grey-Tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes) is a small foraging wader that is closely related to the Wandering Tattler. They forage for insects, crustaceans, and other invertebrates on the ground or in water. The species breed in the stony riverbeds of northeast Siberia.

The Grey-Tailed Tattler has a wingspan in the range of 18.9”-20.1” (48-51 cm) and total weight of .18-.26 lb (.08-.12 kg). The body of the Grey-Tailed Tattler has an overall length between 9.1”-10.6” (23-27 cm), body width of 2.75”-3.1” (7-8 cm), and standing height of roughly 5.7”-6.7” (14.5-17 cm). The typical lifespan of the Grey-Tailed Tattler is between 13-15 years.

Set of scaled side and front drawings of the Grey-Tailed Tattler
Grey-Tailed Tattler (Tringa brevipes)
Height:
5.7”-6.7” | 14.5-17 cm
Width:
18.9”-20.1” | 48-51 cm (Wingspan)
Length:
9.1”-10.6” | 23-27 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.18-.26 lb | .08-.12 kg
Area:

Body Width: 2.75”-3.1” | 7-8 cm

Scientific Name
Tringa brevipes
Lifespan
13-15 years

Drawings include:

Grey-Tailed Tattler side view, front, flying (assorted)

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