by All the aquatic animals are categorized into pure aquatic and semi-aquatic animals. The animals that can survive both on land and water are known as semi aquatic animals.
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What are semi aquatic animals?
The animals that can live on land as well as in water are called semi aquatic animals. They are animals with the ability to breathe in both water and land. They are dependent on both habitats for their food.
Semi-aquatic can breathe on both land and water. They have the ability to use both Gills and lungs. When they are in the water, gills are used to extract dissolved oxygen from water, whereas they use the lungs for respiration on land.
Semi-aquatic animals look similar to amphibians, but actually, they are different.
Semi aquatic animals vs Amphibians
Both semi-aquatic and amphibians possess similar characteristics and habitats, but still, they are different. There are some important characteristics that can easily differentiate them.
| Semi-aquatic animals | Amphibians |
|---|---|
| They spend the initial part of life on land | They spend the initial part of their life in water and end part on land |
| There’s habitat include Freshwater as well as marine water | There’s habitat include freshwater only |
| They breathe by lungs | They breathe by skin and lungs |
| Example: Bear, Crocodile | Examples: Frogs. toads |
List of semi aquatic animals
There are various types of semi aquatic animals but most are from the following categories:
- Vertebrates: Hawaiian Monk Seal, Marine Otter
- Amphibious Fish: Grunion, Plainfin Midshipman
- Echinoderms: Sea Urchin, Startfish
- Arthropods: Dragonflies, Caterpillars, Gerromorpha, Neomorpha
- Annelids: Earthworm
- Molluscs: Acotylean, Patella Vulgata
The following is the list of semi aquatic animals:
- Beavers
- Seals
- Hippopotamus
- Platypus
- Capybara
- Crocodile
- Platypus
- Muskrat
- Coypu
- Sea cows
- Walrus
- Elephant seal
- Polar bears
- Sea-otters
- Penguins
- Mink
- Salamander
- Water vole
- Manatee
Also Read: 50+ Sea Animals Names
Semi aquatic Animals Names
1. Platypus
Platypuses are semi aquatic animals and the only mammal that lays eggs. They are the species of Monotremes and are mostly found in the region of eastern Australia.
2. Asian Elephants
Asian elephants are also known as Asiatic elephants. They are the only living species of Elephas and are mostly found in the region of the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia. They eat large amounts of tree bark, roots, and stems.
3. Sloth
Sloths are semiaquatic mammals, mostly found in the tropical rainforests of the South American Region. They are omnivore semi aquatic animals. Sloths like to eat leaves, flowers and other tress parts as they spend most of their time on trees but there are some species of them that eat insects and small animals.
4. Beavers
Beavers are large, semi aquatic rodents, mostly found in the Northern Hemisphere. They are the largest rodents in North America and the second-largest rodents in the world. They live in streams, rivers, marshes, ponds, etc.
5. Otter
Otters are semi aquatic animals with carnivorous nature, that come from the Lutrinae subfamily. They have a body with thick fur which helps them to float in water. Otters hold hands while eating and resting.
6. Penguins
Penguins are semi aquatic birds that are found in the southern hemisphere. They are known as expert swimmers and some species of them can touch the speed of 15 miles per hour. They eat small shrimps, fish and crabs.
Facts about Semi aquatic Animals
- Semi-aquatic creatures spend most of their life on land and some part in water.
- They can live in water but most semi-aquatic creatures cannot breathe in water.
- Most semi aquatic animals are freshwater animals not saline water.
Pictures of Semi aquatic Animals
Semi Aquatic Animal Picture 1
Semi Aquatic Animal Picture 2
Also Read: Aquatic Animals: Overview with Infographics
What is a Semi aquatic animal?
The animals that live on land as well as in water are called semi-aquatic animals. They are animals with the ability to breathe in both water and land.
Are amphibians semi aquatic?
Both semi-aquatic and amphibians possess similar characteristics and habitats, but still, they are different. There are some important characteristics that can easily differentiate them.
Example of a semi-aquatic bird?
Penguin is the most popular example of a semi-aquatic bird.
Example of semi-aquatic rodent?
Beavers are the most popular example of a semi-aquatic rodents.
What are examples of semi aquatic animals?
The examples of semi aquatic animals are Beavers, Seals, Hippopotamus, Platypus, Capybara, Crocodile, Platypus, Muskrat, Coypu, Sea cows
Also Read
- 300+ Animals That Start With N With Images
- Animals That Start With X With Pictures and Facts
- Wonderful Animals That Start With S
References: WikiPedia.org | WorldAtlas.com
So that’s it about semi aquatic animals. I hope you’ve understood semi aquatic meaning. If you have some more information about semi-aquatic creatures, then feel free to share it with us.
