Canada's Wetland Animals.

Janet Collins is a freelance writer in Sechelt, British Columbia.

Wetlands are lands permanently or temporarily submerged or permeated by water. These special areas include fresh and saltwater marshes, wooded swamps, bogs, seasonally flooded forests, and sloughs. Essentially any area of relatively shallow water that can keep water long enough (and still enough) to allow development of plants and soils specific to those environments is considered a wetland.

Wetlands are very common all across Canada. In fact, this country boasts 25 percent of all the world’s wetland areas. While these areas aren’t especially good places for people to live, they support an abundance of other life, including some very interesting creatures.

Canada’s Wetland Animals introduces young readers to some of the creatures commonly found in wetland areas throughout the country.

Did you know that the river otter can sleep and eat while floating on its back? Or that beavers can stay underwater for 15 minutes at a time? Or that leeches have been used to heal wounds? In all, 11 animals, insects and other creatures are introduced in this tiny volume.

Too bad some of the photographs weren’t a bit brighter so that more of the beasties’ details could be more easily seen. Photos of the snapping turtle, crayfish, and bullfrog are especially dark. Recommended.