Great Lakes Living

The Great Lakes in the US are Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario. They form the largest freshwater system on Earth. There are quite a few creatures calling this area home, from the lakes to the surrounding wetlands and forests.

Bald eagles, the symbol of America, enjoy the shorelines and islands of the Great Lakes. These birds of prey have white heads and brown bodies. They build huge nests, often in tall trees. They are keen hunters, often plucking fish right out of the water. Around the Great Lakes, bald eagles can be seen soaring above the water, diving for fish, or perched in shoreline trees.

Beavers are true engineers and among the most influential mammals in the Great Lakes. These are large rodents with powerful jaws and sharp teeth that can fell trees to build dams and lodges throughout the tributaries and wetlands. Beaver activity creates wetland habitats benefiting other species, improves water quality by filtering sediments, and helps to control flooding by regulating water flow. Beavers are herbivores and only eat plants. Though, more in-depth information regarding their diet offers a unique combination of tree bark, leaves, twigs, and aquatic plants.

Common loons give off haunting calls. These are black-and-white birds with red eyes. They are great swimmers and can dive up to 200 feet below the surface to capture fish. Loons build their nests close to the edge of the water, usually on small islands or quiet shorelines around the Great Lakes, especially in the northern part of Lake Superior and northern Lake Michigan.

Freshwater mussels make their home in the Great Lakes basin, with over 40 native species represented. Their shells are shaped from round to elongated. A single adult mussel can filter more than 15 gallons of water daily, removing algae, bacteria, and small particles while improving water clarity and quality throughout the Great Lakes system.

Lake sturgeons are ancient fish and have gained the nickname “living fossils.” They are very long in length, over 7 feet, and can weigh in excess of 200 pounds. They have armor-like scales called scutes, shark-like tails, and barbels (whisker-like sensors) hanging from their snouts.

Lake trout are the largest native trout species in the Great Lakes. They are cold-water fish and grow large weighing in over 70 pounds. They have distinct forked tails, light spots, and flattened heads. As a fish adapted to cold, oxygen-rich waters, lake trout also face threats from climate change, which is warming the Great Lakes and potentially reducing suitable habitat.

Muskrats are medium-sized rodents that inhabit marshes, ponds, and slow-moving waterways of the Great Lakes region. They have water-resistant fur, partially webbed hind feet, and flattened tails that serve as rudders. Muskrats are well-adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle. They build dome-shaped lodges made of vegetation in marshes or dig burrows along the banks. Their feeding habits help maintain open water in marshes that might otherwise become choked with vegetation, creating habitat diversity that benefits waterfowl and other wildlife. Various bird species use their lodges for nesting platforms.

Piping plovers are small, sand-colored shorebirds that nest on the beaches and shorelines of the Great Lakes. Their pale coloration offers them great camouflage against sandy beaches. Each spring, plovers return to the Great Lakes beaches.

River otters love the Great Lakes region. They are semi-aquatic mammals and very social and playful creatures. They can be seen sliding down muddy or snowy banks or doing underwater acrobatics. Otters have dense fur, webbed feet, and powerful tails. They inhabit the coastal wetlands, rivers, and sheltered bays. As top predators feeding primarily on fish, crayfish, and amphibians, healthy otter populations indicate a functioning ecosystem with clean water and abundant prey.

Sandhill cranes are among the most ancient bird species on Earth. They are tall, elegant birds with a wingspan of over 6 feet. They are a common sight along the wetlands. The birds have slate-gray plumage, crimson foreheads, and long, graceful necks. You can hear their trumpet-like calls, especially during spring and autumn migrations. These birds typically form lifelong pair bonds and perform elaborate courtship dances involving bowing, jumping, and wing-flapping.

Snapping turtles are the largest freshwater turtles in the Great Lakes region. These are prehistoric-looking reptiles with powerful jaws, serrated tails, and shells covered with algae providing camouflage. They spend most of their time submerged in the muddy bottoms of shallow waters throughout the Great Lakes basin. Snapping turtles play crucial ecological roles as scavengers and predators, helping maintain water quality by consuming dead fish and controlling populations of aquatic creatures. Each spring, female snapping turtles undertake sometimes dangerous journeys across land to reach nesting sites, where they dig holes and lay 20-40 eggs.

Walleyes are the most sought-after fish when it comes to sport fishing in the Great Lakes. These are golden-olive fish with distinctive reflective eyes so they can see in low light. These fish undertake seasonal migrations within the lakes, typically moving to rocky reefs or tributary rivers to spawn in early spring before dispersing to deeper waters during summer months.

White-tailed deer are large mammals seen throughout the Great Lakes region. They inhabit forests, wetlands, and suburban landscapes. They are named for their white tails, which they raise when alarmed. Their reddish-brown summer coats transition to grayish-brown in winter, providing camouflage throughout the changing seasons.