A freshwater lake is a large body of
standing water. Lakes support a wide
variety of life, especially at their edges.
Still waters
Just floating around
Plants that float do well in still water,
but they can take over. Water hyacinth
looks pretty, but it is a fast-growing
weed and can choke other life
under a thick mat.
Cat in the water
Catfish are named for their barbels,
cat-like whiskers that allow them to
feel their way in murky water.
Water
lettuce
Floating plants such as
water lettuce provide shade
for a lake’s creatures.
Which is the world’s largest freshwater lake?
178
Ecosystems and habitats
Is it a sucker?
Paddle in a muddy
lake and you may
emerge to find a leech
on your foot. Some, but
not all, leeches suck blood.
Some species
of catfish can
grow to be
more than
3 m (10 ft)
in length.
Barbels help
the fish to seek
out prey. In the
case of a large
catfish, this
may be a duck.
Horse
leech
Medicinal
leech
Bullhead
catfish
Water
hyacinth
