At Home on the Great Lakes
Meet some of the most notable—and notorious—animals that make their homes in the Great Lakes ecosystem. If you think all our native fishes are brown or silver, check out the colorful darters and sunfishes. Touch a sturgeon—a prehistoric fish species that dwells on the bottom of Lake Michigan. And look down the toothy mouth of a sea lamprey to understand how invasive species can impact native fish populations. Take a tour of our aquatic neighborhood to find out who else lives here!
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TOUCH
Reach into the cool water to feel the armored skin of a fish little changed from the days of the dinosaurs.
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LOOK
From sirens to salamanders, see some of the amphibians that find moist habitats in local back yards, parks and forest preserves.
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DISCOVER
From ravenous Asian carp to toothy sea lampreys, meet some of the invasive species posing challenges to the Great Lakes.
We’re all at home on the Great Lakes
From sand dunes to shorelines views, the Great Lakes are among the world’s most precious natural resources. If you live in the Great Lakes basin, you’re one of the 40 million people who depend on the lakes for drinking water, employment and recreation. More than 3,500 plant and animal species—some found nowhere else on the planet—also call the region home. By meeting our animal neighbors and understanding the environmental issues that affect them, we can help protect the Great Lakes for wildlife and people.
Meet a rescued duck
Wood ducks get their common name from their unlikely behavior of perching and nesting high in trees. One Shedd wood duck has a special story.