A floodplain under water – No problem for alluvial specialists
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Floods in the floodplains - everyday life for the animals
Flooding is an extreme event. But animals of the floodplain have adapted to this recurring phenomenon. Here are some examples of alluvial specialists: Birds can simply fly to a different location when the water gets too high. It is a good thing that many of their nests are safe up in trees. And lots of bird species can swim.
Animals that live on land flee to higher ground
Creatures living on the ground have no choice but to flee to higher surfaces. Every dead tree, floating piece of wood or other climbing aid is a welcome rescue. Being a good swimmer is also an advantage. Frogs and newts are excellent swimmers and divers.
Spiders, ground beetles or leaf snails get creative during floods
If flying, running or swimming is not an option, you have to get creative: Spiders can release a thread of silk and be lifted into the air to safety. Spider flight is called ballooning, and the wind can transport the feathery arachnids up to 100 kilometres. Some ground beetles are skilled enough to simply walk on water. Leaf snails stick their heads in the sand. When waters rise, they burrow deep into the ground and wait out the flood.
Watch the animals get to safety.
National Geographics
Ballooning spider
On a silken thread, it goes on the run alone with the power of the wind. For such an uncertain way to escape, you have to be pretty brave.
Veronika Öder
Water strider
Quite clever. The water strider takes advantage of the "skin of water" (surface tension) and can therefore move on the water without sinking in. If things get dicey, it can also fly.
Great Crested Grebe
If you live with the water like the Great Crested Grebe, a nest that can swim is a safe haven for the offspring. Even when the high water comes.
Tadpole
High water? No problem. The tadpole lives in the water anyway until its complete transformation into a frog.
Where does the animal shown here take refuge during high water?
Match the matching pairs of pictures. Click the corresponding pair in each case.
