what can live in a lake

by Sheila Anderson
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by Sheila Anderson
aLerner Publications Company · Minneapolis
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A lake is a habitat.
It is where plants and
animals live.
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Lake animals have special
adaptations.
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These help them live in a
lake.
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Fish have fins for swimming.
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Gills let them breathe
underwater.
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Ducks use webbed feet to
paddle through the water.
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Snails have shells for
protection.
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Gulls use sharp, curved bills
to eat fish.

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Pelicans carry fish in the
pouches under their bills.
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Beavers use sharp front teeth
to cut branches.
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They use the branches to
build dens.
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Herons have long legs.
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Herons walk in the water
looking for food.
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Water striders use long legs
to skate on top of the water.

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What other adaptations help
animals live in a lake?
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shell
strong
jaws
webbing
between
toes
Turtle Adaptations
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Learn More about
Adaptations
A turtle has a hard shell that covers
most of its body. When danger is
near, the turtle tucks its head and legs
inside its shell. Webbing between the
turtle’s toes helps the turtle swim. It
uses strong jaws to eat plants and
small animals.
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Fun Facts
The alligator snapping turtle
has a pink tongue that looks
like a worm. When a fish
comes close, the turtle snaps
it up!
Clams use shells to protect
them from hungry hunters.
The shells also help them hide
among rocks.
Water boatmen use long back
legs to swim through the water.
They carry an air bubble
along to breathe underwater.
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The leeches’ dark coloring
helps them hide on the dark
lake bottoms or among
lake plants.
Tadpoles, or baby frogs, use

long tails to swim.
Frogs have webbed feet and
long legs that make them
great swimmers.
Beavers have tails shaped like
paddles. When danger is near,
a beaver will slap its tail on the
water to warn other beavers.
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Glossary
adaptations – things that help
a plant or animal live in a
specific habitat
dens – wild animals’ shelters,
or homes
gills – an organ used to
breathe underwater
habitat – a place to live
webbed – connected by a
web of skin
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Index
bills – 10, 11
fin – 6
gills – 7
leg – 14, 16
pouch – 11
shell – 9
teeth – 12
webbed feet – 8