Habitat of the White Sturgeon |
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The white sturgeon depends on several different environments during its lifecycle, but the majority of its time is spent in lakes, river and streams. In order to breed and reproduce the white sturgeon resort to calmer and fresher waters. These waters must be algae, crayfish, and fish rich in order to support the diet of the sturgeon. A strong algae presence is needed to support the diet of young sturgeon as they are unable to devour fish or crayfish.
Waters which contain all of the necessary assets for the survival of this species are found from the northern Midwest, in the great lakes and their tributaries all the way to Ensenada, Mexico and back to Cook Inlet, Alaska. While the sturgeon inhabit a wide area which seems extremely diverse they all have the same basic necessities to provide for the survival of this incredible species. The species' ability to survive in a lot of different climates has definitely given it a survival advantage which has allowed it to survive for nearly 200 million years. The reason the fish is able to survive in all of these different climates is because of the fact that temperature doesn't matter too much to a sturgeon, the sturgeon is very large and can maintain its desired temperature extremely well. While they aren't so picky about temperature the water clarity, speed, and surface under the water does matter quite a bit to the sturgeon.
Sturgeon prefer water with good to great visibility making the bottom in which they inhabit brighter and easier to locate prey in. The water speed which sturgeon prefer are typically slower and calmer waters. Because the sturgeon is a bottom feeder it is necessary for lots of living structure to be present at the bottom so its prey can survive and prosper, which is very hard in rougher waters. Also due to the fact that sturgeon reproduce without making a nest calm waters are necessary to allow for the eggs to remain attached to the bottom for fertilization and development.
While living structure such as plants is necessary the exact opposite is required for non-living structure. Sturgeon prefer a flat smooth surface to run their barbells across as they hunt.
Waters which contain all of the necessary assets for the survival of this species are found from the northern Midwest, in the great lakes and their tributaries all the way to Ensenada, Mexico and back to Cook Inlet, Alaska. While the sturgeon inhabit a wide area which seems extremely diverse they all have the same basic necessities to provide for the survival of this incredible species. The species' ability to survive in a lot of different climates has definitely given it a survival advantage which has allowed it to survive for nearly 200 million years. The reason the fish is able to survive in all of these different climates is because of the fact that temperature doesn't matter too much to a sturgeon, the sturgeon is very large and can maintain its desired temperature extremely well. While they aren't so picky about temperature the water clarity, speed, and surface under the water does matter quite a bit to the sturgeon.
Sturgeon prefer water with good to great visibility making the bottom in which they inhabit brighter and easier to locate prey in. The water speed which sturgeon prefer are typically slower and calmer waters. Because the sturgeon is a bottom feeder it is necessary for lots of living structure to be present at the bottom so its prey can survive and prosper, which is very hard in rougher waters. Also due to the fact that sturgeon reproduce without making a nest calm waters are necessary to allow for the eggs to remain attached to the bottom for fertilization and development.
While living structure such as plants is necessary the exact opposite is required for non-living structure. Sturgeon prefer a flat smooth surface to run their barbells across as they hunt.