Freshwater habitats include lakes, rivers, billabongs, wetlands and ponds. Many animals and plants live in or near these habitats. They rely on them to provide food, shelter and a place to breed.
Lake
Lakes are large areas of still water. Some large fresh water lakes dry up in times of drought.
- Australian Pelican
- Backswimmer
- Damselfly
- Diving Beetles
- Dragonfly
- Eastern Water Skink
- Giant Water Bug
- Mallard
- Pond Snail
- Purple Swamphen
- Water Spider
- Yabby
River
Rivers are pathways of flowing water. The water can be fast flowing or flowing slowly. Some large rivers in Australia include the Murray River, the Derwent River and the Katherine River.
Stream
Streams are small flows of water. Sometimes they are called creeks or rivulets.
- Backswimmer
- Crimson-spotted Rainbow Fish
- Damselfly
- Diving Beetle
- Dragonfly
- Eastern Water Skink
- Green and Golden Bell Frog
- Large-footed Myotis
- Pond Snail
- Purple Swamphen
- Spotted Marsh Frog
- Water Spider
- Yabby
Pond
A pond is a small pool of still water.
- Backswimmer
- Crimson-spotted Rainbow Fish
- Damselfly
- Diving Beetle
- Dragonfly
- Eastern Water Skink
- Giant Water Bug
- Green and Golden Bell Frog
- Mallard
- Pond Snail
- Water Spider
- Yabby
Wetland
Wetlands are areas with lots water plants such as reeds, grasses and lilies. Fresh water wetlands increase in size after rain. Lots of birds move into wetlands after rain.
- Australian Pelican
- Eastern Snake-necked Turtle
- Giant Water Bug
- Little Pied Cormorant
- Purple Swamphen
- Spotted Marsh Frog
Billabong
Billabongs are small pools of water that appear next to rivers after heavy rain.
Copyright © Australian Museum, 2003
