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Riverbank animal fact cards

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AUGUST 2008

SwanThe mute swan, with its long s-shaped neck and orange bill, is the largest of the water birds. It is protected and is increasing in numbers all over Britain. The swan eats plants, insects and snails, and can live for 15 years. It makes a nest of grasses, sticks and rushes on the water’s edge.

Kingfi sherThe kingfi sher is an excellent fl ier and diver as it hunts fi sh from riverside perches. It also feeds on insects, freshwater shrimps and tadpoles, and must eat its own bodyweight in food each day. The kingfi sher makes a burrow in a vertical sandy, stone-free riverbank. It lines its nest with grass and lays eggs in early April.

MoorhenThe moorhen has brown/black feathers and a bright red bill with a yellow tip. They tend to be solitary birds that feed along the water’s edge eating plants, seeds, fruit, insects, snails and worms. They nest among vegetation in the water. Chicks that are born early help those that come later.

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Riverbank animal fact cards

ILLU

STRA

TION

S ©

PAU

L CH

ESHI

RE

www.scholastic.co.ukwww.scholastic.co.uk/childedplusPhotocopy or download from:PHOTOCOPIABLE 1

AUGUST 2008

FrogFrogs prefer shallow water, catching the insects, slugs, worms and snails they eat with a long, sticky tongue. A frog’s eyes and nostrils are on the top of its head so it can see and breathe while mainly underwater. Eggs, called spawn, are laid in water and become tadpoles, which feed on plants until they mature.

Water voleThis is the largest of the voles found in Britain and is often mistaken for a rat. It has dark fur, a round body, a short fat face and a long fur-covered tail. It eats grass and other plants, and is active both day and night. It burrows in riverbanks, and may have as many as fi ve litters of young between April and September.

NewtThe common newt grows to about 11cm in length. It is pale green/brown in colour with an orange belly and darker stripes on its back. It eats insects, worms and slugs, and has teeth to catch its prey. Eggs are laid on water plants and take two to three weeks to hatch.

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Riverbank animal fact cards

ILLU

STRA

TION

S ©

PAU

L CH

ESHI

RE

www.scholastic.co.ukwww.scholastic.co.uk/childedplusPhotocopy or download from:PHOTOCOPIABLE 1

AUGUST 2008

Water shrewThe water shrew has poisonous saliva that it uses to stun its prey. It is much smaller than the water vole and is largely black in colour. There are stiff hairs on the tail and the hind feet to help with swimming. Water shrews are only able to stay underwater for a few seconds as they hunt for water insects, small fi sh and amphibians.

Pond skaterTiny hairs on the legs prevent the pond skater from falling into the water. Floating on the surface, it senses vibrations and ripples caused by other insects landing on the water. Pond skaters are sometimes known as water striders, as they can move quickly to get out of danger.

Dragonfl yThe dragonfl y has a long, thin body and two pairs of strong wings. It lives on mosquitoes, midges, fl ies and other insects that it attacks in the air from below. Its legs, which are studded with spikes, are used to catch the prey. The nymphs (immature stages of a dragonfl y) live in water and can take up to fi ve years to develop.

www.scholastic.co.ukhttp://www.scholastic.co.uk/

Riverbank animal fact cards

ILLU

STRA

TION

S ©

PAU

L CH

ESHI

RE

www.scholastic.co.ukwww.scholastic.co.uk/childedplusPhotocopy or download from:PHOTOCOPIABLE 1

AUGUST 2008

Water boatmanAlso called the common backswimmer, the water boatman moves upside down beneath the water on two long legs that act like oars. It carries a bubble of air with it to help it breathe, and feeds on tadpoles, small fi sh and other insects. Eggs are oval in shape and are laid on plant stems.

OtterOtters, which can live up to ten years, have long, slim bodies and strong jaws. They have webbed toes and a rudder-like tail to help swimming. Their chestnut brown fur is specially waterproofed. Otters eat fi sh, water birds, frogs and voles, and prefer to hunt at night. Their home, called a holt, is a burrow in the riverbank.

HeronThe grey heron has a wingspan of almost 2m when in fl ight. It is a very patient feeder and will wait by the side of the water for long periods before spearing fi sh with a dagger-like bill. It also eats amphibians and occasionally small birds. Herons usually build their nests in a colony at the top of trees (called a heronry), but they sometimes build them on the ground.