Northern Pike
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
Category
FishRarity
Rare
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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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
Ability
Silent Hunter
Northern Pike can ambush prey perfectly because of their camouflaged bodies and lightning-fast strike from still positions.
Ability
Razor Teeth
Northern Pike has rows of razor-sharp teeth that help them grasp and hold slippery prey securely.
Ability
Back-Mounted Fin
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
- Maximum 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
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Piscivorous
Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish.
Ambush Predator
An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Freshwater
Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Aquatic
Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands.
Also known as
Northern Pickerel
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Northern Pike?
40-100 cm
How much does Northern Pike weigh?
1-10 kg
How long does Northern Pike live?
10-15 years
What does Northern Pike eat?
Northern Pike are fierce predators, eating mostly other fish and anything smaller that moves!
How fast can Northern Pike swim?
15 km/h
Where is Northern Pike usually found?
Lakes and rivers
How does Northern Pike hunt?
Ambush
How deep can Northern Pike go?
20 m
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