Carmen Bredeson - Baby Animals of the Wetlands

Baby animals grow up in all kinds of different habitats. Meet cute baby animals and their families as you explore their biomes in Nature's Baby Animals.

"Young readers will delight in learning about baby wetlands animals in this easy-to-read text."

"By reading this book, children will learn some important facts about wetlands and the animal families that live in them."

About the Author

Author Carmen Bredeson, a former high school English teacher, has a master's degree in instructional technology. She has written more than seventy books for young people.

hatchling (HATCH ling)A baby born from an egg.

marsh (marsh)Land that is covered with water most of the time. It has plants like tall grasses.

swamp (swahmp)Land that is covered with water most of the time. It has plants like shrubs and trees.

webbed (webd)Joined by a piece of skin (such as fingers or toes).

A wetland is land that has a lot of water.

A swamp is a wetland.

A marsh is a wetland.

Some wetlands have fresh water.

Others have salt water.

Baby animals have special ways to stay safe and live in a wetland.

Wood ducks are born in a nest high in a tree. When the ducks are one day old, they jump out of the nest. DOWN, DOWN they fall. Splash! Their mother is waiting in the water for her babies.

A baby wood duck jumps to the water.

Baby alligators hatch from eggs. Their mother carries them to water in her MOUTH! The little alligators crawl onto their mothers head. She keeps them safe from hungry fish, snakes, and raccoons.

This chick is one day old.

Baby sandhill cranes are called colts. They can walk right after they are born. The babies follow their parents onto the marsh. The parents feed the colts bugs and plants. Soon the colts will find food on their own.

Nutria [NOO tree uh] spend a lot of time in the water. Nutria babies ride on their parents backs while they swim. Soon the babies learn to swim on their own. Their webbed back toes help them move through the water.

Egret [EE gret] chicks are very hungry! Both parents bring food to the chicks. Egrets stand very still on long legs. They stab fish and frogs with their sharp bills.

These are spotted turtles.

Turtle hatchlings break out of their eggs. They go to the marsh grass to find food. The little turtles eat insects, worms, and plants. When danger is near, they jump into the water and hide in the mud.

Florida panther kittens are born in a warm den near the swamp. The kittens grow hair that has dark spots on it. Their fur helps them hide in the grass and plants. The kittens can stay safe from enemies.