17 Fascinating Animals That Live on Land and Water (Pictures included)

As fascinating as it may seem, there are animals that have adapted to live both on land and in the water. These creatures, called semi-aquatic animals, are a unique group in biology. Most people are familiar with amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, as examples of semi-aquatic animals. 

However, there are many other animals that fall into this category. From the crocodile to the otter, semi-aquatic animals are incredibly diverse and have evolved a range of adaptations to thrive in both land and water environments.  

Without any delay, let us introduce you to our remarkable collection of 17 captivating creatures that inhabit both aquatic and terrestrial environments.

Animals That Live on Land and Water

Ducks

Scientific Name – Anatidae

Diet – Omnivore

Ducks may be known as waterfowl, but don’t be fooled – they make themselves at home on land as well. Although they are typically found near bodies of water where they feed on aquatic plants and invertebrates, ducks will venture onto the dry ground to build their nests and snack on insects and land plants. In fact, these water birds have a strong affinity for both land and water, making their habitat quite versatile. 

So, while ducks may spend the majority of their time paddling through ponds and rivers, their relationship with the land is just as important to their survival.

Beavers

Scientific Name – Castor

Diet – Herbivore

Beavers are truly fascinating creatures, well-suited for the water habitat they call home. As semi-aquatic mammals, they spend most of their time in ponds, lakes, and rivers, where they swim and bathe with ease. Their unique diet is another aspect that sets them apart from other animals, as they are true vegetarians who feed mainly on fruit, woody plants, water scum, and other vegetation. 

While they may move slowly on land and face potential danger from predators, water is vital to their survival, and once they build a dam, they rarely travel far from their aquatic domain. These nature architects are true testaments to the diverse and adaptable wildlife that populates the United States.

Geese

Scientific Name – Anser

Diet – Herbivore

Geese, the water-loving birds, are often found in and around freshwater areas. While they spend most of their lives in the water, they are not entirely aquatic creatures. When they venture onto land, they are exposed to predators lurking in wait for the perfect opportunity to attack. 

Despite this danger, geese are skilled swimmers and can quickly return to the safety of the water to escape threats. On the land, they primarily feed on aquatic plants and build their nests on elevated areas. 

Unlike their duck counterparts, geese opt for higher nesting grounds. So, while they may be classified as aquatic animals, geese are multifaceted creatures that do not solely rely on water for their survival.

Platypuses

Scientific Name – Ornithorhynchus anatinus

Diet – Carnivore

Platypuses are fascinating creatures that call the streams and rivers of eastern Australia and Tasmania home. These semi-aquatic mammals use their webbed feet to navigate underwater and hunt for food. With a diet consisting of worms, larvae, and shrimps, platypuses can spend up to 12 hours a day hunting for their next meal. 

Despite their remarkable swimming abilities, these creatures seldom venture onto land. It’s said that platypuses burn 30 per cent more energy travelling on land, so they only leave the water to rest and sleep in their burrows. Their unique lifestyle and behaviour make them a wonder to behold, highlighting just how incredible the natural world can be.

Frogs

Scientific Name – Anura

Diet – Carnivore

Frogs are fascinating creatures that live on land for the majority of their time but require moist environments to survive due to their amphibian nature. To avoid having their skin dry out and risking death, frogs tend to occupy habitats near swamps and ponds so they can jump into the water when necessary. 

Perhaps one of the most intriguing facts about these slimy creatures is that they don’t drink water like other animals do. Instead, they hydrate themselves through their skin. 

This ability helps them survive in their often harsh environments. Despite being excellent swimmers and fast hoppers, the reality is that frogs are vulnerable to many wildlife. Whether on land or in the water, frogs are critical members of many ecosystems, and their unique characteristics make them both fascinating and important creatures in the animal kingdom.

North American River Otters

Scientific Name – Lontra canadensis

Diet – Carnivore

River otters are indigenous to North America and are commonly found in streams, rivers, ponds, and other aquatic habitats. These amphibious mammals have adapted to thrive both on land and in the water.

While they are proficient swimmers, river otters tend to spend the majority of their daytime submerged or close to the water. They have a hearty appetite and typically dedicate 6-9 hours each day to hunting for food, consuming approximately 20% of their body weight in the process. Their primary diet consists of fish, with smaller prey being devoured in the water and larger catches consumed on land.

Despite their aquatic prowess, river otters exhibit impressive mobility on land. Apart from venturing onto solid ground for feeding and resting, they also rely on land excursions to prevent their fur from becoming waterlogged.

These remarkable creatures exemplify the importance of having access to both land and water for their survival. They are truly a testament to the versatility and adaptability of animals in diverse habitats.

Crabs

Scientific Name – Brachyura

Diet – Omnivore

Crabs are a type of arthropod crustacean characterized by their exoskeleton and segmented bodies. They possess five pairs of legs, with one pair of claws that they use for various purposes. These fascinating creatures can be found in oceans, on land, and in freshwater, showcasing their wide distribution across the globe.

While some crab species are predominantly land-dwelling, the majority have adapted to survive temporarily outside of water, typically for a period of one to two days. However, once their gills lose moisture, they must return to the water to avoid dehydration and potential death.

On land, crabs utilize their numerous legs to move sideways, employing a distinctive sidelong motion. Among them, the Ghost crab stands out as one of the fastest terrestrial invertebrates, capable of reaching speeds of up to 10 mph.

Most crabs exhibit nocturnal behaviour, being active during the nighttime and resting during the day. This lifestyle allows them to evade predators and seek shelter from the drying effects of the sun.

The adaptability and survival strategies of crabs highlight their remarkable ability to inhabit and thrive in diverse environments, showcasing their unique characteristics and behaviours.

Walruses

Scientific Name – Odobenus rosmarus

Diet – Omnivore

Walruses are large marine mammals known for their distinct features such as long tusks and their unique way of moving on land. These fascinating creatures inhabit cold environments near the North Pole, making them well-adapted to the harsh conditions of their habitat.

While walruses are primarily terrestrial animals, they spend a significant amount of time in the water, approximately two-thirds of their day. In the water, they exhibit remarkable grace and can swim at impressive speeds of up to 22 mph (35 km/h).

On land, despite having flippers on all four limbs, walruses display surprising agility and can move relatively quickly. They often come ashore to rest and give birth to their young.

Walruses are highly social animals and frequently gather in large numbers outside of the water. This behaviour serves as a defence mechanism against their primary predators, such as polar bears, providing safety in numbers.

The fascinating lifestyle and adaptations of walruses showcase their ability to thrive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments, making them truly remarkable creatures of the Arctic region.

Penguins

Scientific Name – Spheniscidae

Diet – Carnivore

Penguins, a beloved species of flightless birds, are often thought of as cute and quirky creatures of the ice caps. But did you know that these birds also spend a significant portion of their lives in the water? With exceptional swimming ability, penguins can swim up to 6 mph (9.7 km/h) with great efficiency. 

Their impressive swimming skills are not only practical but also provide a level of comfort, as these birds are even observed taking naps while floating on the water’s surface.

Found mainly in the southern hemisphere, penguins enjoy settlement on both land and water, though only the latter provides them with the freedom to truly flourish. These accomplished swimmers escape the confines of flight with ease and embrace aquatic life as no other animal can.

Swans

Scientific Name – Cygnus

Diet – Omnivore

Swans are graceful and majestic creatures that are found in various water habitats. Their webbed feet adaptions make them strong swimmers that can glide through the water with ease. Although they live on land and in water, swans tend to spend most of their time in the water. This is because they are semi-aquatic birds that thrive in slow-moving rivers, ponds, lakes, marshes, and streams. 

As herbivores, swans feed on short grass, leafy greens, and other plant vegetation, which they pick up from the land. Swans also go on land to nest, where they build their nests on existing structures surrounded by water. Overall, swans are fascinating animals that are adaptable to different environments, bringing beauty and grace wherever they go.

American Alligators

Scientific Name – Alligator mississippiensis

Diet – Carnivore

American alligators, commonly known as gators, are large reptiles belonging to the crocodilian family. These formidable predators inhabit the southeastern parts of the United States. Their diet mainly consists of fish, birds, amphibians, and mammals, establishing their status as apex predators in their ecosystem.

Gators are primarily aquatic creatures and spend a significant portion of their time in the water. Whether floating at the surface, submerged beneath, or resting at the bottom, they are well-adapted to their aquatic habitat. While submerged, they typically stay underwater for about 20 minutes. However, when conditions are favourable and they are at rest, alligators can hold their breath for up to 24 hours.

On land, alligators may appear clumsy, but they possess surprising agility and are capable of moving quite swiftly. Although their endurance on land is limited, they can reach impressive speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h).

Alligators often venture onto land to scavenge animal carcasses for food. On occasion, they may even attempt to hunt terrestrial animals themselves, demonstrating their versatility as opportunistic predators.

The unique combination of their aquatic prowess and their ability to navigate the land makes American alligators remarkable creatures, well-adapted to their diverse and challenging habitat.

Salamanders

Scientific Name – Caudata

Diet – Carnivore

Salamanders are fascinating creatures that boast diverse environments. The semi-aquatic salamander, also known as the newt, can epitomize this with their dynamic lifestyle. Newts are born in water, where they spend their first stages of life. In their juvenile phase, they live on land, and as they reach sexual maturity age, they return to aquatic life. 

Newts are characterized by their slender bodies, short limbs, and lizard-like skin. They are part of the Salamandridae family, and they come in a variety of colours. Despite their small size, newts are resilient and can tolerate extreme temperatures. This adaptability has made them elusive, with some species only found in a few areas. Newts are a testament to the beauty that can be found in amphibians that live in both water and land.

Capybaras

Scientific Name – Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris

Diet – Herbivore

Move over guinea pigs – capybaras are here to steal the show. These semi-aquatic mammals from South America are the ultimate water babies, spending the majority of their lives in the water. But what’s so special about them? Well, for starters, these giant rodents are fantastic swimmers, capable of staying underwater for a whopping five minutes if needed. 

Their partially webbed feet are the perfect adaptation to their aquatic lifestyle, allowing them to glide through the water with ease. And while their fur may be brittle, it dries out quickly on land, making it no issue for these skilled swimmers. If you ever catch a glimpse of a capybara in the wild, don’t expect it to be on land for long. 

These unique creatures are either swimming, feeding, or getting ready for a nap in the water. It’s safe to say that capybaras have truly evolved for life in the water.

Hippos

Scientific Name – Hippopotamus amphibius

Diet – Omnivore

 The hippopotamus, one of the largest semi-aquatic mammals on Earth, inhabits the lakes and rivers of Africa. These magnificent creatures spend approximately 16 hours each day submerged in water.

The primary reason for their aquatic lifestyle is the necessity to keep their sensitive skin moist under the scorching sun. Hippos rely on the water to prevent their skin from drying out during the daytime.

However, as the sun sets, these colossal beings venture onto land to engage in their second favourite activity: feeding. Despite their predominantly aquatic nature, hippos are not capable of swimming or floating due to their heavy physique. Instead, they navigate through the water by walking on the river or lake bed.

It is important to note that the behaviour of hippos varies depending on their location. On land, they are generally peaceful. However, in the water, hippos can be highly unpredictable and pose a significant danger. Their aggressive tendencies in aquatic environments make them formidable creatures to encounter.

Polar Bears

Scientific Name – Ursus maritimus

Diet – Carnivore

Polar bears, the largest and most formidable bear species, inhabit the Arctic Ocean’s sea ice. These remarkable creatures are classified as marine mammals due to their strong association with aquatic environments.

Although polar bears spend a significant amount of time on land, they are highly adapted to thrive in their watery surroundings. Their bodies are equipped with two layers of thick fur, providing excellent insulation in harsh Arctic conditions. Moreover, polar bears possess exceptional swimming abilities, making them formidable predators in the icy waters.

Remarkably, a female polar bear holds the record for the longest recorded swim, covering an astounding distance of 426 miles over the course of ten days without pausing. Additionally, polar bears can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes, enabling them to navigate beneath the icy depths if necessary.

While their movements on land may appear cumbersome, polar bears are surprisingly agile and can sprint at speeds of up to 25 mph. They also choose to rest on land, with a preference for creating shallow pits in the snow for comfortable napping.

In conclusion, polar bears exemplify the perfect balance between their land-dwelling and aquatic lifestyles, adapting seamlessly to both realms to survive and thrive in their frozen Arctic habitat.

Spotted Turtles

Scientific Name – Clemmys guttata

Diet – Omnivore

The spotted turtle, with its distinguishable yellow spots on a dark shell, is a small reptile that calls the shallow, fresh-water areas of southern Canada and the eastern United States its home. Unlike some of its aquatic counterparts, the spotted turtle is not a strong swimmer and spends a significant amount of time on land. 

Its semi-aquatic lifestyle allows it to hunt for a range of food, including snails, worms, spiders, and some aquatic plants. While on land, however, spotted turtles have to be cautious as they are vulnerable to many predators. Nonetheless, this tiny creature has managed to carve out its own niche in a complex ecosystem and is a fascinating example of nature’s diverse wonders.

Related Article: Polar Bear vs Hippo: Who Would Win in a Fight?

Lungfish

Scientific Name – Dipnoi

Diet – Omnivore

We have now reached the final entry on our list of fascinating creatures that inhabit both land and water: the lungfish.

Lungfish are truly ancient beings, having existed on Earth for a staggering 400 million years! They can be found in the swamps and small rivers of South America, Australia, and Africa.

What sets lungfish apart from all other fish species is their remarkable ability to survive in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Unlike their underwater counterparts, lungfish possess both lungs and gills, allowing them to extract oxygen from both air and water.

One exceptional characteristic of lungfish is their ability to enter a state of hibernation in the mud for extended periods, sometimes up to five years, without requiring any food or water! They emerge from this dormant period when rainfall replenishes the surrounding area, providing them with the opportunity to resume their aquatic activities.

Even under normal circumstances, lungfish rely on air to breathe. Their gills and lungs work in tandem to extract oxygen from their surroundings, exemplifying the incredible adaptability and ingenuity of these remarkable creatures of nature.

In conclusion, lungfish occupy a truly unique place in the animal kingdom, defying the conventional boundaries between land and water and showcasing their incredible resilience and survival strategies that have allowed them to endure for millions of years.

Reference:

• https://byjus.com/question-answer/the-animals-which-can-live-both-in-water-as-well-as-on-land-are-called/
• https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/snakes-evolved-on-land-not-in-sea/article7227930.ece 
• https://www.toppr.com/ask/question/which-is-not-a-true-amphibian-animal/