Category: Fish
These anadromous, parasitic fish inhabit the Pacific coasts of North America and Asia. They spend most of the life cycle as larvae, living in freshwater – around 3-7 years. Adults live 1-2 years at sea, parasitizing other fish and sperm whales. The return to freshwater to spawn, typically in habitats similar to salmon and trout. Pacific lamprey are an important ceremonial food source to Native Americans in the Columbia River basin and the Yurok tribe in Northern California.
The fish that could drown (and other amazing tales)
Fish are masters of aquatic living, though some manage to do pretty well on land, too! Of living species, the mudskipper is probably the best adapted to life out of water - in fact, a mudskipper will drown if it can’t periodically come to the surface! This unusual fish uses its powerful, almost leg-like fins to walk on land and can even use them to “skip” up to 2 feet in the air! Similar to many amphibians, the mudskipper is able to breathe through its skin and the linings of its mouth and throat. It also seals water in its gill chambers when it leaves the water for extended stays on the land, much like a scuba diver brings air with them!-
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