2. Description
• The salmon uses its gills for breathing as most
fish do. Salmon use the dorsal fin, anal fin and
the pelvic fin for balance. The Atlantic salmon
can live up to 13 years. Salmon are very
attractive. Salmon are pink on top. The
Chinook and King salmon weigh 100 pounds.
3. Habitat
• Salmon start and end their life in freshwater
streams. Salmon are found In North America,
Europe and Asia. Salmon live in lakes, oceans
and rivers. When salmon grow up, they live in
salt water.
4. Food
• Salmon eat shrimps and anchovies. The young
salmon eat water fleas. Salmon eat plankton.
Salmon also eat smaller fish, eels, grass near
the shore, squid and insects. Baby salmon eat
the yolk from inside the egg.
5. Babies
The female salmon covers her eggs with gravel.
Salmon are born in freshwater. The female
salmon digs holes with her tail. The baby alevin
hatch in 3 to 4 months.
6. Protection and Enemies
Bears often wait to catch salmons as they migrate.
Salmon is a popular food for many kingfishers and birds.
Many otters eat salmon. Bears eat salmon.
7. Interesting Facts
• Salmons travel hundreds of miles. Salmons
migrate back to the rivers where they were
born. Some steelhead and Atlantic salmon do
not die after spawning. The scales of a salmon
are coated with a layer of mucus.
