My animal research paper is on the Northern Pike. The Northern Pike is a fish that is found all around the northern hemisphere in fresh water.
2. Classification.
Kingdom - Animalia.
Phylum - Chordata.
Subphylum - Vertebrata.
Class - Actinopterygii.
Order -Esociformes.
Family - Esocidae.
Genus - Esox.
Species - Lucius.
3. Physical Description.
The Northern Pike is distinguished by its long, flat, "duck-bill" snout; its large mouth with many large, sharp teeth; and the rearward position of its dorsal and anal fins. There is a total of 6-8 dorsal spines, and a total of 17-25 dorsal soft-rays. Also there is a total of 4-6 anal spines, and a total of 14-22 anal soft-rays.
4. Preferred Habitats.
The Northern Pike prefers to live in vegetated lakes, quiet pools, and backwaters of creeks and small to large rivers. They usually live in solitary and are highly territorial. They are most active in water ranging from 40 to 72 degrees ferinhite.
5. Food.
The Northern Pike prefers to feed on mainly fishes, but at times feed heavily on frogs and crayfish.
6. Predators.
The Northern Pike has very few predators. One of its predators is the Musky when it is young. When they get older humans become a major predator for them.
7. Reproduction .
The Northern Pike reproduces externally by spawning. Spawners move inshore or upstream to the marsh areas to spawn. Generally, spawning occurs during the day. One or two smaller males usually attend the sexes pair and a larger female. They swim through and over the vegetation in water less then 17.8 cm, releasing eggs and sperm simultaneously at irregular intervals. Only 5 to 60 eggs are released at one time. This act is repeated every few minutes for up to several hours, after which the fish rest for some time before resuming. During the resting period, male and female may take new mates, or they may continue together for several days until all the eggs are gone. The spawned-out adults may stay on the grounds for 14 weeks but most leave after 6 weeks.
