Different Wildlife In The Chesapeake
By Meher Singh
By Meher Singh
The Chesapeake is a very famous area in Maryland, mostly because of its main body of water, the Chesapeake Bay. The bay attracts lots of different species of animals, mainly to use it as a habitat. Here are some of the diverse species you can find if you visit.
Waterfowl
While this bird doesn’t reside at the bay full time, it does make a pit stop here while it is migrating. While here, they take residence in coves and marshes, and the sight of waterfowl, along with birds such as the loon or tundra swan are usually found in the winter, when they migrate here.
Crabs
Maryland is well known for its crabs, so it is not surprising that they reside here. It has different aquatic habitats based on what part of the life cycle they are in, such as rivers and creeks, and even the mouth of the bay itself. Adult crabs feed on fish and plants, and the females can lay up to eight million eggs every season.
Oysters
The oyster is a keystone species, making it integral to the ecosystem in the Chesapeake, but over time, the population of oysters has reduced dramatically. Oysters purify the Bay of algae, as that is what they eat. Their reefs can also provide shelter for aquatic animals.
Reptiles
The Chesapeake’s population of reptilians is extensive. While it is home to many well known species such as toads, salamanders, newts, and snakes. There are a few species of turtles and terrapins, but not many.
Fish
As the Chesapeake is a body of water, there are many species of fish. Some of these species are herring, hickory shad, striped bass, flounder, and bluefish. These are only some of the many species in the Chesapeake.
Sources:
https://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/index.html (image)
Waterfowl
While this bird doesn’t reside at the bay full time, it does make a pit stop here while it is migrating. While here, they take residence in coves and marshes, and the sight of waterfowl, along with birds such as the loon or tundra swan are usually found in the winter, when they migrate here.
Crabs
Maryland is well known for its crabs, so it is not surprising that they reside here. It has different aquatic habitats based on what part of the life cycle they are in, such as rivers and creeks, and even the mouth of the bay itself. Adult crabs feed on fish and plants, and the females can lay up to eight million eggs every season.
Oysters
The oyster is a keystone species, making it integral to the ecosystem in the Chesapeake, but over time, the population of oysters has reduced dramatically. Oysters purify the Bay of algae, as that is what they eat. Their reefs can also provide shelter for aquatic animals.
Reptiles
The Chesapeake’s population of reptilians is extensive. While it is home to many well known species such as toads, salamanders, newts, and snakes. There are a few species of turtles and terrapins, but not many.
Fish
As the Chesapeake is a body of water, there are many species of fish. Some of these species are herring, hickory shad, striped bass, flounder, and bluefish. These are only some of the many species in the Chesapeake.
Sources:
https://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/more-than-just-the-bay/chesapeake-wildlife/index.html (image)