ExploreFish

Northern Pike

Ptychocheilus oregonensis

The Northern Pike is a long and sleek fish that can be quite fast! It loves to hide in weeds and ambush its prey.

Habitat: Lakes and rivers

Appearance

The Northern Pike has an elongated, olive-green body with yellowish-white bean-shaped spots and a distinctive duck-bill-shaped snout. Its fins are often reddish, and its dorsal fin is set far back, differentiating it from many other freshwater fish.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumCHORDATAClassActinopterygiiOrderCYPRINIFORMESFamilyLEUCISCIDAEGenusPtychocheilus

Northern Pike

Interesting facts

Northern Pike can even eat small ducks or unlucky mice!

Pike are sometimes called "water wolves" because they are top predators!

Their powerful tail allows incredible bursts of speed from a standstill!

They have taste buds on their jaws and lips to "taste" the water!

Special abilities

Northern Pike can ambush prey perfectly because of their camouflaged bodies and lightning-fast strike from still positions.

Northern Pike has rows of razor-sharp teeth that help them grasp and hold slippery prey securely.

Northern Pike has a dorsal fin located far back on its body that helps them propel forward with incredible speed.

Measurements & details

Length: 40-100 cm
Weight: 1-10 kg
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Swim Speed: 15 km/h
Max Depth: 20 m
Water Type: Freshwater

Diet & Feeding

Northern Pike are fierce predators, eating mostly other fish and anything smaller that moves!

Age differences: Young pike eat insects and smaller fish, switching to larger fish and prey as they grow.

Primary Foods

perch
minnows
suckers
frogs
crayfish
small mammals

Foraging Method

Ambush

Ecological connections

hunts

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

A primary food source in many lakes.

hunts

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Larger pike actively prey on adult walleye.

eaten by

North American River Otter

Lutra canadensis

Otters are skilled hunters of fish, including pike.

eaten by

Osprey

Pandion haliaetus

These raptors dive to catch fish like pike.

Traits

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.

Piscivorous

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Ambush Predator

Meet masters of surprise! These clever hunters hide quietly and wait patiently for their prey to come close before pouncing with a quick move.

Ancient Lineage

These fascinating organisms carry echoes of the deep past, with ancestors that have roamed the Earth for an incredible span of time. They are living links to ancient worlds!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Freshwater

Discover animals and plants that live in non-salty water, like rivers, lakes, and ponds! These watery homes are vibrant with life.

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.