Animals here are also subjected to infestations of parasites . The forest surrounding the lake is full of predators such as foxes, owls, and raptors. These provide essential links to the food chain by assisting in the controlling of populations of rapidly reproducing rodents . Snakes, frogs, turtles, and salamanders remain camouflaged throughout the Laurel Lake and forest areas. They, too, add an ever-important link in the food chain.
Insects are abundant here.
Some insects are considered harmful to man, but they still are very important to the ecology of the area. Other insects are helpful to man because they assist in the control of harmful insects. Mollusks , crustaceans , and arachnids also play a key role in the food chain. Plants such as blackberries, dandelion, and others provide food to numerous species that inhabit the Laurel Lake area. Even microorganisms are important factors in the Laurel Lake ecosystem.