River Dwellers
Great Blue Heron
For a bird, I’m a really big guy (or gal), bigger than most hawks. My home territory is north & central America & the Galapagos islands. I build my nest in tall trees. My favorite sport is fishing in marshes, rivers or on the sea coast. I prefer to fish alone but like living with a large group of herons, called a ‘rookery’. Besides fish, I like to eat frogs, dragonflies, crayfish, insects & even snakes. Without me, some of these species would be out of control – so I have an important job for the ecosystem. And I especially love living around the Locust Fork River. |
Southern Water Snake
Did you ever hear the phrase ‘mean as a snake’? I’m not mean! Really, I’m a pretty timid fella (or gal) when it comes to human folk. I’m not venomous but I will bite if cornered. My body is brown with cross bands of reddish-tan (classy, huh?). My 9-50 children are born live, not as eggs. They know how to swim from the beginning of their life. Do you know how to swim? It sure is important! Fish & frogs & salamanders don’t like me! I eat them. Without me, some of these species would overpopulate so I have an important job for the ecosystem. I love living in the quiet pools of the Locust Fork River, but you will rarely see me because I’m pretty shy & I’m nocturnal. |
Goldstripe Darter Fish
I may be short (very short-only 2”) but I shine like golden sunlight in the water. Who ever said small wasn’t valuable?! I am a type of perch. The goldstripe darter inhabits the Gulf Coastal Plain, including parts of Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, and lower Mississippi drainages westward as far as Texas. I especially like to live in shallow, slow-moving streams where there are good places to hide. Too much silt or pollution in the water smothers me. I like to eat larvae, midges, mayflies, blackflies, beetles & microcrustaceans. Sadly, many critters like to eat me. The Locust Fork River is perfect for me. Can you guess why I am important to this ecosystem? |
