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Wetlands are important natural habitats. Many plants and animals live in wetlands. They find food, water, and shelter all within the boundaries of this unique habitat. Some animals find shelter in other locations and visit these areas to find water and food. Migratory birds, especially waterfowl, use wetlands as resting and feeding areas along their journeys. Wetland LaPorte County Parks are called home by a wide variety of wildlife. Many Life unique plants and animals can be found In LaPorte County Parks Wetlands are also natural filters. As water enters and passes through the dense vegetation, debris is blocked from going further into the water ways. Many chemicals are also absorbed as plants absorb water needed for survival. Water transpires from the plant through its leaves and evaporates into the air completely clean of chemicals and pollution. Wetlands can come in many forms. The following are types of wetlands and characteristics of them. Bog-A peat-accumulating wetland that has no Attention: No animals can be taken from the park, except fish that are of legal size and number. Nor can any animals be released into the park. Dogs must be on leashes at all times. Thank You living in or visiting the wetlands. This pamphlet does not include all the wildlife found in the wetlands, but it will describe some of the most common types of life that can be seen. If you have any questions about any wetland plants or animals, contact the Naturalists at the Nature Center in person or by phone at (219) 324-5855. Enjoy your visit to Luhr County Park! LaPorte County Parks Department Canada Lodge & Administrative Office 0185 South Holmesville Road LaPorte, IN 46350 (219) 873-7014 Ext 223 or (219) 325-8315 Luhr County Park Nature Center/Naturalist Office (219) 324-5855 TTY/TDD/Voice www.alco.org/countyparks significant inflows or outflows and supports acidophillic mosses such as sphagnum. Bottomland-Lowlands along streams and rivers, usually on alluvial floodplains that are periodically flooded and often forested. Fen-A peat-accumulating wetland that receives some drainage from the surrounding soil and supports marsh like vegetation. Kettle-Depressional wetlands formed from glacial ice deposits. Marsh-A frequently or continually flooded wetland with herbaceous vegetation. Slough-A swamp or shallow lake system. Swamp-Wetland dominated by trees and shrubs. Vernal Pool– Seasonal wetlands during wet spring periods and drying up in summer. Plants Black Willow Tree Relatively tall with dark colored bark. Long narrow leaves attached to long drooping branches. Cottony seeds are spread by wind. Wood has been used to make baskets. Staghorn Sumac Short tree from 7-10 feet tall with hairy branches. Leaves are pinnate with around 13 leaflets. Sometimes mistaken as Poison Sumac. Clusters of red hairy berries are used to make a tart drink. Cattails Very fleshy plants that can reach 6-8 feet. Roots are usually submerged in water and are high in starch. Brown seed clusters are the female flower. Cottony seeds are spread by wind. Arrowhead Arrow shaped leaves emerge from the water becoming a ladder for some aquatic insects as they become adults. Roots are located underwater and are high in starch. Water Lilies Broad round leaves lay like blankets on the water’s surface. Roots are underwater. Flowers range from yellow to white. Animals can be seen laying on top of leaves while sunning themselves. Duckweed Looks like tiny lily pads floating on water. Can be so dense that they cover the entire water’s surface. Thin roots dangle down into the water, not needing soil to survive. Birds Great Blue Heron Tall and long-legged heron. Long bill to feed on aquatic animals. Gray-blue body and white head with black marking on its head. Flies with “S” curve to its neck. Canada Goose Larger than a duck. Brown body and black neck with white cheek mark. Well known for flying in a “V” formation and honking. Commonly seen feeding with goslings in fields and water. Wood Duck Nest mostly in dead trees. Nails on the end of their webbed feet help them climb. Colorful blue-green iridescent ducks with a tuft of feathers on back of their head. Mallard Very common duck. Males have iridescent green head and blue wing patch. Feed by filtering water through bristles in their bills. Commonly seen with ducklings following close by. Green Heron Small heron not much larger than a crow. Feeds on aquatic animals using its spear-like bill. Yellow legs and dark green body. Rarely seen with group of Green Backed Herons. Belted Kingfisher Dives into water head first, and usually emerges with a fish in its long bill. Blue body with white neck ring. Blue head tuft like cardinal’s. Red-winged Blackbird Males have red shoulder on their mostly black bodies. Commonly seen calling from their perch on cattails where they nest. Reptiles Snapping Turtle Largest turtle in Indiana, it can weigh 35 pounds. Has a long neck and sharp bill. Nearly spiked shells can be 12 inches long. Eats plants and animals. Marsh Wren Painted Turtle Small brown bird with long tail. Can easily be heard with its quick bubbly chit chat. Feeds on bugs, and nests in small bushes. Smooth dark shell with red markings. Usually around 5-6 inches long. Often seen sunning itself on floating logs. Lays eggs in May that hatch in September. Feeds on live or dead small animals and plants. Amphibians Bullfrog Largest Frog in North America. Can easily be heard calling “jug-a-rum.” Stays as tadpole for nearly 2 years. Adults have slimy green skin. Feeds on birds and other small animals. Green Frog Very common frog with slimy green body about 3 inches long. Ears are circles just behind eyes. Calls in the summer time with a sound similar to plucking a banjo string. Feeds on bugs. Northern Water Snake Non-poisonous snake. Has a dark brown thick body with darker bands across its body. Often mistaken as Water Moccasins. Swims very good and feeds on small animals it finds on or under water. Gartersnake Very common non-poisonous snake. Usually has two light marks down its dark bodied back. Eats bugs and worms. Often seen on rocks sunning itself on warm days. Many snakes are mistaken as Gartersnakes. Mammals Insects Diving Beetle Shiny brown-black body. Is a strong swimmer and flier. Positions itself with its head underwater when feeding on aquatic bugs and small animals. More than 300 types in North America. Dragonfly Starts its life underwater like amphibians. Crawls out of water using emerging plants and sheds its skin to become an adult. Adults eat a lot of mosquitoes. There are many varieties of dragonflies. Giant Water Bug Large bug about 2 inches long. Feeds on other bugs and small animals by using a poison secreted as it bites. Males carry clusters of eggs on their back until they hatch. Rarely uses its wings. Water Strider Also called Pond Skater. Has a slender body and long legs that use the surface tension of water to stay just above the water. Feeds on small gnats usually in groups. Adults don’t have wings. Raccoon Chorus Frog Small frog about 1 inch long. Three dark stripes down its back. Calls in early spring and sounds like dragging a finger over comb teeth. Can survive during long droughts. Spring Peeper Small tan frog with brown “X” on its back. Calls in spring with a “peep” sound. Can climb trees and even windows. Rarely seen or heard outside of mating season. Curious mammal with dark fur. Identified by its black mask and striped tail. Eats anything it can catch with its sensitive hands. Usually feeds and is active during low-light hours. Water Boatman Small slender bug. Has long back legs used like paddles to move through the water. Young and adults look alike except adults can use their wings. Feeds on decaying plants and bottom sludge. Muskrat Smaller than a beaver but often mistaken for one. Has thick, waterproof fur covering body except its thin long bald tail. Lives in burrows on the banks and eats mostly aquatic plants. Mosquito Unmistakable insect with its annoying high-pitched buzz. Only females are bloodsuckers. Young mosquitoes start life living underwater like amphibians.