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WILD Wetland Facts
Wetlands are home to lots of amazing plants and animals. Check out the facts on these pages. They are all wild but true. Which facts surprise you the most? It's no surprise wetlands are some of the coolest places around.
 A flying canvasback averages speeds of 55 to 70 miles per hour.
When it comes to "chopping down" trees, a beaver's teeth are better than any axe. With each bite, a beaver shaves off wood chips up to six inches long. It can chew bushes in half with less than one dozen bites. It can cut down a tree as wide as your hand in less time than it takes to brush your teeth!
 Ruddy ducks weigh about one pound. However, they lay some of the largest eggs. One clutch (six to ten eggs) may weigh as much as three hens put together.
When Western grebes choose mates each spring, they dance to "celebrate." The birds quickly paddle their feet to raise their bodies up and forward, necks gracefully curved. They may also carry a plant in their bills as part of the dance.
The dragonfly uses its six legs as a basket to scoop up insects in midair.
 Canada geese are known to baby-sit their goslings-one adult stays with goslings from several families as other adults go to feed.
A young caddisfly, called a caddisworm, builds an underwater home to carry on its back. The caddisworm uses building materials like sand, pebbles, snail shells and plants. Its body makes "glue" to hold everything together. As the worm grows, it adds on to its home.
When in danger, the spotted salamander can ooze a jelly like material that tastes bad to other animals.
 The arctic tern travels a total of 22,000 miles a year. That is like walking from New York to California and back nearly four times!
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