Mammal
Tiger
The largest cat species on Earth
Wetland habitats
Wetlands are among the most productive ecosystems on Earth and among the most drained. Species whose habitats mention wetland, marsh, swamp, estuary, mangrove, or floodplain are listed here.
Quick answer
Wetlands — marshes, swamps, mangroves, and floodplains — filter water, buffer floods, and nursery fish, amphibians, waterbirds, and reptiles at the land–water edge.
Iconic species
Alligators, herons, otters, and mangrove specialists illustrate how wet soils and shallow water create unique niches.
Threats & pressures
Drainage, pollution, invasive plants, and coastal development erase wetland habitat and the species that need it.
How to explore further
Use freshwater for inland rivers and lakes, and ocean for fully marine coasts.
- Browse wetland species — Marsh and mangrove profiles
- Freshwater — Rivers and lakes
- Ocean — Fully marine habitats
- Habitats pack — For teachers
Species in wetland animals
Ranked by profile popularity. An animal may also appear in other biomes if it uses multiple habitats.
Mammal
Pygmy Hippopotamus
The small forest hippo of West Africa
Mammal
Indian Rhinoceros
The armour-plated one-horned giant
Mammal
American Black Bear
North America's adaptable forest bear
Mammal
Bonobo
The peaceful ape of the Congo Basin
Mammal
Proboscis Monkey
Borneo's big-nosed swimmer
Mammal
Beluga Whale
The white whale of the Arctic
Bird
Flamingo
The pink filter-feeder that stands on one leg
Mammal
Bobcat
North America's adaptable wild cat
Bird
Whooping Crane
Tallest North American bird and conservation icon
Mammal
Manatee
The gentle sea cow of warm coastal waters
Bird
Hyacinth Macaw
Largest flying parrot, cobalt blue
Show 57 more species
Mammal
Jaguar
The Americas' largest and most powerful cat
Mammal
Ocelot
The spotted cat of the Americas
Reptile
American Alligator
The armored survivor of the southern swamps
Mammal
Water Buffalo
The wallowing bovine of Asia
Bird
Sandhill Crane
North America's dancing crane
Mammal
Serval
Africa's long-legged pounce specialist
Bird
Shoebill
Giant swamp bird with a shoe-shaped bill
Mammal
Hippopotamus
Africa's deadliest large land mammal
Mammal
Raccoon
The masked, clever-handed night raider
Fish
Largetooth Sawfish
Giant ray with a toothed rostral saw
Reptile
Saltwater Crocodile
The largest living reptile and most powerful bite on Earth
Reptile
Spectacled Caiman
The common crocodilian of the Americas
Reptile
Eastern Box Turtle
North America's hinged turtle
Reptile
Nile Monitor
Large African water monitor and egg predator
Reptile
Common Garter Snake
Familiar harmless snake of North American yards
Reptile
King Cobra
The world's longest venomous snake
Bird
White Stork
Europe's chimney-nesting messenger
Mammal
Muskrat
North America's pond-building rodent
Bird
Magnificent Frigatebird
Aerial pirate with a scarlet throat pouch
Mammal
American Mink
The semi-aquatic mustelid
Bird
Grey Heron
The patient wetland hunter
Fish
Seahorse
The tiny fish where fathers give birth
Bird
Barn Swallow
Fork-tailed aerial insectivore of farms
Mammal
Otter
The playful, water-loving member of the weasel family
Mammal
Capybara
The world's largest rodent
Bird
Swan
The graceful giant of lakes and rivers
Reptile
Nile Crocodile
Africa's largest and most formidable predator of the rivers
Fish
Red-bellied Piranha
The sharp-toothed fish of the Amazon
Reptile
Green Anaconda
The heaviest snake in the world
Mammal
Moose
The largest member of the deer family
Bird
Northern Harrier
Owl-faced hawk of North American marshes
Bird
Roseate Spoonbill
Pink wader with a sweeping spoon bill
Bird
American White Ibis
Red-billed white wader of the Southeast
Bird
Wood Stork
Tactile-fishing stork of southern swamps
Mammal
Large Flying Fox
Endangered fruit bat of island canopies
Mammal
European Polecat
Wild ancestor of the domestic ferret
Amphibian
Golden Mantella
Critically Endangered orange gem of Madagascar
Amphibian
Spring Peeper
Thumb-sized herald of eastern spring
Amphibian
Pacific Tree Frog
West Coast chorus frog behind the movie ribbit
Fish
Lemon Shark
Yellow coastal shark of mangrove nurseries
Fish
Bonnethead
Seagrass-munching hammerhead of warm shallows
Amphibian
American Bullfrog
North America's largest and loudest frog
Fish
European Eel
The 100-year reproductive mystery that baffled scientists from Aristotle to the 21st century
Insect
Firefly
The glowing beetle of warm summer nights
Invertebrate
Blue Crab
The swift swimming crab of Atlantic estuaries
Reptile
Asian Water Monitor
One of the largest lizards in the world
Reptile
Garter Snake
One of North America's most common and widespread snakes
Amphibian
Pacman Frog
The round, big-mouthed horned frog
Amphibian
Gray Tree Frog
The color-changing tree frog of eastern forests
Insect
Dragonfly
The agile aerial hunter of ponds and streams
Amphibian
Tomato Frog
The plump, bright-red frog of Madagascar
Bird
Cockatiel
The crested Australian parrot known for whistling
Bird
Mallard
The familiar wild duck found around the world
Bird
Great Horned Owl
The powerful nocturnal hunter with feathered tufts
Amphibian
Cane Toad
A large, toxic toad turned invasive pest
Bird
Ibis
The long-billed wading bird of marsh and river
Fish
X-ray Tetra
The see-through fish of the Amazon
Frequently asked questions
What is a wetland habitat?
Wetlands — marshes, swamps, mangroves, and floodplains — sit at the edge of land and water. They filter nutrients, buffer floods, and provide nursery habitat for fish, amphibians, waterbirds, and reptiles. Many wetland species decline when wetlands are drained or polluted.
Which animals live in wetland habitats?
Species lists on this page are drawn from Global Animal Guide profiles whose habitat facts match wetland keywords. Browse the ranked list for answer-first guides covering diet, range, and conservation.
How is wetland different from other biomes?
Wetlands is defined by climate, vegetation, and water availability that favour particular body plans and behaviours. Compare sibling biome hubs (ocean, forest, desert, and more) to see how the same animal groups specialise differently.