Animals of Fresh Water Marshes Printables

After moving to Florida our family learned firsthand about freshwater marsh animals. Florida houses the largest freshwater marsh in the U.S. These animals of freshwater marshes printables will help your kids learn all about them.

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Fresh Water Marsh Animals

The first animal I think about when it comes to Florida, and the freshwater marshes, are alligators. I worked at the Naval Station, and even the golf course had a few alligators who called it home.

The alligator is, by far, the largest and most vicious freshwater marsh reptile. Alligators are indigenous to the Florida Everglades, the largest freshwater marsh in the United States. 

Freshwater marshes are a type of wetland; it is home to animals and plants alike. Freshwater marshes are usually low lying areas near creeks, streams, rivers, and lakes. The water levels there only run about 1 – 6 feet deep and are enriched with minerals.

The freshwater marshes are also characterized by animals living in the water, on the surface of the water, above water, and on the spongy areas surrounding the swamp on land. Mammals, invertebrates, birds, and reptiles all inhabit this wetland environment.

Animals in Fresh Water Marshes

Here are a few animals that are indigenous to freshwater marshes:           

In the water – fish, crabs, insect larvae, shrimp, tadpoles

At the surface of the water – turtles, beavers, frogs

Above the water – frogs, insects, birds

Surrounding the swamp – raccoons, earthworms, opossums, muskrats, snails, deer, even bears!

Florida isn’t the only place in the United States that holds freshwater marshes. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama also house freshwater marshlands. Freshwater marshes are found around the world, like in the Okavango Delta in Botswana and the Doana National Park in Andalusia, Spain.

Freshwater Animals Worksheets

To study more about the animals of freshwater marshes, use these printable resources alongside your lessons:

• Printouts of Freshwater Marsh Animals | Enchanted Learning
•  Clip Art Bundle {Educlips Clipart} Freshwater Marsh Animals | Educlips
• Wetlands (Swamps and Marshes) Reading Comprehension and Differentiated Questions | Kalena Baker – Teaching Made Practical
• Marsh Preposition Play! An Expressive Language Activity | A Green and Gold Speech Therapist
• Freshwater Marsh Animals Book for Kindergarten and 1st Grade {Block Print Style} | CampingTeacher
• Science Word Search: Marshes & Swamps |Qiang Ma
• Animals of the Freshwater and Marsh Scavenger Hunt |Practically Penniless
• Freshwater Marsh Animals A Differentiated Set of Emergent Readers | Kinesthetic Classroom
• Marsh Animal Research Project – 16 Types, Vocab Cards, Packet, Book + More! | Lessons for Little Learners
• Freshwater Marsh Animals Write the Room Activity | Pink Posy Paperie
• Animals of Freshwater Marshes: Animal Facts Matching Game | WriteBonnieRose

Freshwater Marsh Activities

• Freshwater Marsh Activities | Amber Socaciu
• Freshwater Marsh Animals – Research w QR Codes, Posters, Organizer – 18 Pack |Lessons for Little Learners
• Marsh Freshwater Animals Color and Trace | Pink Posy Paperie
• Book for Kindergarten and 1st Grade {D’Nealian Style} Freshwater Marsh Animals | CampingTeacher
• Marsh Animals – A First Grade Literacy Center | Leslie Stephenson

Books on Freshwater Habitats:

Exploring Freshwater Habitats (Exploring Habitats)Freshwater Habitats: Life In Freshwater Ecosystems (Watts Library)Freshwater- Animal Habitats for Kids! Environment Where Wildlife Lives for Kids – Children’s Environment BooksThe Illustrated World Encyclopedia of Freshwater Fish & River Creatures: A Natural History and Identification Guide to the Animal Life of Ponds, Lakes … 1000 Detailed Illustrations and PhotographsKingdom Builder Expansion: Marshlands Board Game (2-4 Player)PondSwampThe Nature Connection: An Outdoor Workbook for Kids, Families, and Classrooms

Freshwater Marshes Around the World

Around the world, human activities have greatly impacted freshwater marsh ecosystems. I want my kids to know the Lord commands us to be good shepherds of what He has given us. That includes the world in which we live.

In my research about the freshwater marsh animals, I have found it to be extremely sad about what is going on in these areas of the world. Long-time development has been a threat to freshwater marshes along the Gulf Coast of the United States.

In Florida, the amount of water flowing through the Everglades saw drastic reductions. The river waters in Spain were drained and diverted to increase agricultural production and tourism.

You can’t argue with these facts – the marshes in Doana National Park have been reduced from 370,600 acres to 74,1000 acres over the years. Think about what this has done to the animal life there.

Awareness is crucial, and everything we do can count. We can raise our kids not to be afraid of such changes in the environment. We can help our kids to find a healthy balance between making a difference and trusting in the Lord’s plan.