National Parks/ Sanctuaries
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Common Names
atlantic sturgeon
Regions
Florida, United StatesDelaware, United StatesNew Jersey, United States
Population
10,000
Habitat
Anadromous species found in both saltwater and freshwater, with estuaries and coastal rivers being crucial during spawning migrations
Weight(in lbs) and Life Span
several hundred poun... and several decades, with some individuals reaching up to 60 years.
Regions
Florida, United States, Delaware, United States, New Jersey, United States, Alabama, United States, Canada, Connecticut, United States, District of Columbia, United States, Louisiana, United States, Maine, United States, Maryland, United States, Mississippi, United States, New Hampshire, United States, New York, United States, North Carolina, United States, Rhode Island, United States, South Carolina, United States, Virginia, United States, Massachusetts, United States, Georgia, United States
The Atlantic Sturgeon is a large, ancient fish species native to the Atlantic coast of North America. Known for its bony scutes and long lifespan, this species has significant ecological and historical value. It spends much of its life in estuaries and coastal waters but migrates upstream into freshwater rivers to spawn. This prehistoric-looking fish that can grow up to 14 feet long, is listed as Endangered due to habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution. Only a small population of this ancient fish remains in the wild.
Activity Instructions
- Draw the Animal: Use the next page to draw a picture of the animal. Use your imagination and make it colorful!
- Write an Essay: Write a short essay about the conservation efforts to save this animal. Here are some questions to guide you:
- Why is this species important in its ecosystem?
- What are the threats it faces, and how can we help?
- What do you find most interesting about this species?
