Animals and Habitats: Supplemental Guide 7A | Animals of the Freshwater Habitat 147The dragonfl y uses its long wings to hover^14 around in the air
where it catches its food. It has to be careful because the bullfrog
isn’t the only one that likes to eat dragonfl ies. Birds and turtles like
to eat them, too.
Show image 7A-10: Ducks
The water is getting a little rough out here. Ah, that’s why. Here
come some birds that like to eat insects. These are a kind of duck
called mallards. Ducks are birds and can live both in and out of
water, but it’s the water where they spend most of their time. Like
all birds, ducks—like these mallards—are covered in feathers.
Did you know that ducks’ feathers are waterproof?^15 Ducks rub
special oil from their tails all over their feathers. Because oil and
water don’t mix, water drips right off the ducks without getting
their feathers wet.
Show image 7A-11: Duck looking for food
Ducks fl oat on the surface of the water and have large, webbed
feet to help them paddle. They dip their heads under the water and
use their beaks, which are called bills, to search for food at the
bottom of the lake.^16 Mallards eat grasses and seeds from plants,
and small animals like insects, worms, snails, frogs, and small fi sh.
Well, we’ve had a good look around this freshwater habitat,
but I have to get off this lily leaf before these ducks knock me off!
There’s another kind of water habitat, and we’re going to have a
look at it next time. I hope you’ll join me. Now, if you’ll excuse me,
I have to start my long trip back to shore!15 When something is waterproof, it
keeps water out.
14 or stay in one place while fl ying
16 Here the word bills refers to ducks’
beaks. The word bills can also refer
to pieces of paper money.