Muskrats live in ponds and lakes. Medium beaver-related rodents feed insects, fish, and crustaceans. Their own. Their fur helps them float, although they're captured for fur like beavers.
Dragonflies are common pond insects. Dragonflies are easily seen by their lengthy segmented abdomen and translucent wings. The male dragonfly mates by clasping his abdomen around the damselfly's neck. They fly tandem.
Pond mayflies have four stages. Water-born eggs hatch nymphs. Mayflies grow wings and perch on pond plants. The mayfly moults again and becomes an adult with a brilliant imago, or spinner.
Crayfish scavenge on the bottom of ponds. They're robust and can endure anything from muck to a clean pond. Interestingly, crayfish reproduce based on water levels.
Gasteropods. They're millimetres long. Brown conical snails like temporary ponds and puddles. Freshwater snails exist in North America. Pond snails eat algae, plants, and fish or amphibians.
Wild and tame ducks populate park ponds nationwide. On natural and man-made ponds, ducks are hunted. Contrary to popular opinion, several duck species travel north for the winter to find more food.
The great blue heron is the most abundant heron in North America. They seek fish and other prey around the pond. Species-dependent, these pond birds have long legs for wading. Its beak spearfish and frogs.
Fathead minnows are attractive bait. In ponds and lakes. They thrive in ponds. Females lay eggs under rocks and logs. Fathead minnow males guard their eggs until hatching.