Wetlands are also the homes for at least some part of the year for many fish, birds, and other animals, meeting essential breeding, nesting, nursery, and feeding needs. Without wetlands, some wildlife species would disappear. Wetlands contribute to the growth and economy of the country. Some of the smaller mammals, such as the beaver and muskrat, that dwell in wetlands are important to the fur trade, and the millions of game birds and fish reared in and around our wetlands support a growing recreation and tourist industry. Creatures large and small A wetland who's who would list many creatures, ranging in size from the microscopic one-celled protozoa to the massive moose.
Wetlands are the whole world for many salamanders, snakes, turtles, and aquatic insects.
On the other hand, many of our frogs, toads, and tree frogs breed in temporary ponds and marshes, but spend much of their adult life on the surrounding dry land. Fish, such as stickleback and pike, come to marshes to spawn and feed in the shallow waters. Among the smaller mammals living around the marsh are shrews, lemmings, voles, muskrats, and beavers. Predators include mink, otters, bobcats, and the elusive cougar and grey fox. But wetlands are especially a boon for birds.