The water looks so calm, doesn't it? Can you guess why we're able to see ripples on the surface of the lake?
Wind is moving the water?
Exactly! Wind can push on the water's surface and make waves and ripples. Did you know the size of the ripples or waves can tell us how strong the wind is? Now, looking at the size of the ripples in our image, do you think it's a strong wind or a gentle breeze?
gentle
Right you are! Gentle breezes cause smaller ripples on water. When the wind is stronger, we'd see bigger waves. Speaking of water, can you think of any animals that might live in a lake like the one in the image?
whale
Whales usually need a lot of space, like in oceans, so they aren't found in lakes. Let's think smaller. What about animals we often see in ponds or lakes that could make ripples too? Can you name a couple?
turtles, snakes
Great choices! Turtles and snakes can indeed be found in lakes. Turtles can be spotted swimming near the surface or sunbathing on logs. Snakes might be a bit sneakier, swimming through the water or sliding along the shore. Now, what do you suppose turtles and snakes eat in their lake home?
do turtles eat fish?
Yes, some turtles do eat fish! Turtles are pretty interesting because they can be omnivores – that means they eat both plants and meat. In a lake, a turtle might munch on fish, plants, and sometimes even small insects. Now, imagine you're a turtle in this lake; what might be the first thing you'd do during the day?
