Swans are beautiful creatures that are often seen gracefully swimming in ponds and lakes. While they may look peaceful swans can actually be quite aggressive especially when it comes to protecting their young. So what do these majestic creatures eat?
Swans are carnivores meaning that they primarily eat meat. Their diet consists of small mammals such as rodents and rabbits as well as fish frogs and insects. While they will eat just about anything they can find swans prefer to eat aquatic plants such as algae and pondweed.
In the winter swans typically migrate to warmer climates where they can find open water. This can pose a challenge when it comes to finding food as many of their usual food sources are frozen over. To compensate swans will eat more insects and small mammals during the winter months.
Overall swans are not particular when it comes to what they eat. They will consume just about anything that they can find in order to survive. So next time you see a swan remember that beneath that elegant exterior is a fierce predator!
What do swans eat in the winter?
Answer: They eat aquatic plants and small aquatic animals.
How do they eat with such a long neck?
Answer: They have a special adaptation where they can bend their neck backwards in order to reach food that is underneath the water.
What is the white substance that sometimes comes out of their mouth?
Answer: It is actually a mixture of partially digested food water and saliva.
It is called ‘preen vomit’ and swans use it to help keep their feathers clean and waterproof.
Do swans migrate?
Answer: Yes they do! Some swans will travel hundreds or even thousands of miles to find a place with more food or a warmer climate.
Where do they go?
Answer: Swans typically migrate to areas where there are large lakes or rivers.
How long do swans live?
Answer: In the wild swans can live for up to 20 years.
What is the biggest threat to swans?
Answer: Unfortunately the biggest threat to swans is humans.
Humans can pollute the water that swans live in and they also destroy the swans’ natural habitat by building homes and businesses near their wetland homes.
What do baby swans look like?
Answer: Baby swans or cygnets are actually born with grey feathers.
They will gradually turn white as they get older.
How many eggs does a female swan lay?
Answer: A female swan will usually lay 4-6 eggs at a time.
How long does it take for a baby swan to hatch?
Answer: It takes about 35 days for a baby swan to hatch.
How long do baby swans stay with their parents?
Answer: Baby swans will usually stay with their parents for about a year before they strike out on their own.
What is a group of swans called?
Answer: A group of swans is called a ‘ Herd’
Can swans fly?
Answer: Yes they can! Although they are not the best flyers they are still able to fly short distances.
Do swans mate for life?
Answer: Yes they do! Once a swan finds a mate they will usually stay with them for the rest of their lives.
What is the national bird of Denmark?
Answer: The national bird of Denmark is actually the mute swan!
