Mudskippers: Life on Land

Mudskippers are unique fish found in mangrove forests from West Africa to New Guinea. They spend most of their time on land, walking, eating, and courting. Unlike other fish, they carry water in their gill chambers to breathe air. Their eyes, which can move independently, provide a wide field of vision and can retract into water-filled folds to stay moist. Mudskippers are territorial and engage in fights over land. Despite their evolutionary adaptations, they are prey for predators like monitor lizards.

Where can mudskippers primarily be found?

• In the Amazon rainforest

• In the Arctic tundra

• In mangrove forests from West Africa to New Guinea

• In the Sahara Desert

How do mudskippers breathe on land?

• Through their skin

• By carrying water in their gill chambers

• By absorbing oxygen from the air

• By using lungs

What unique feature do mudskipper eyes have?

• They can see in the dark

• They can move independently of each other

• They are located on their tails

• They are always closed

How do mudskippers keep their eyes moist?

• By blinking rapidly

• By rolling them into water-filled skin folds

• By secreting tears

• By dipping them in water

What behavior do mudskippers exhibit on land?

• They hibernate

• They fight over territory

• They migrate long distances

• They build nests

What is a major predator of mudskippers?

• Sharks

• Monitor lizards

• Eagles

• Snakes

How do monitor lizards perceive mudskippers?

• As a challenging prey

• As a nimble snack

• As a dangerous predator

• As a potential mate