The Paluxy River is teeming with life and is home to an amazing number of different aquatic creatures, each living out its life in its own special place.

There are five main areas in a river that organisms live. They are pools, riffles, the current, fallen branches and rocks.

Crayfish, worms and other bottom dwelling creatures live in the mud in pools where the water is deep and calm.
Riffles are high in oxygen and shallow which allows many insects such as the mayfly to reproduce and grow while feeding on nutrients that continually flow by.

The current is the river's life blood. It sweeps valuable food downstream and dictates where aquatic animals can and cannot live. With their streamlined bodies, fish are adapted to swimming here, while other creatures seek shelter in calmer waters.

Fallen branches block the river's flow and provide wonderful hiding places for young fish. They also shelter smaller organisms such as insect larvae and damselfly nymphs.

Some creatures hide under rocks to avoid being discovered by predators. Others cement themselves permanently to stones or attach themselves to the river bottom with hooks or suckers to avoid being swept downstream such as caddisfly larvae.

So as you hike along, take a look at the different river habitats and see what creatures you can find!