# 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. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Rare - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Lakes and rivers - **Also known as:** Northern Pickerel ![Northern Pike](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424839/objects/4672.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** CHORDATA - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** CYPRINIFORMES - **Family:** LEUCISCIDAE - **Genus:** Ptychocheilus ## 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 - **Silent Hunter:** Northern Pike can ambush prey perfectly because of their camouflaged bodies and lightning-fast strike from still positions. - **Razor Teeth:** Northern Pike has rows of razor-sharp teeth that help them grasp and hold slippery prey securely. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/yellow-perch) (*Perca flavescens*) — A primary food source in many lakes. - **Hunts:** [Walleye](https://www.snappit.app/explore/walleye) (*Sander vitreus*) — Larger pike actively prey on adult walleye. - **Eaten by:** [North American River Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/north-american-river-otter) (*Lutra canadensis*) — Otters are skilled hunters of fish, including pike. - **Eaten by:** [Osprey](https://www.snappit.app/explore/osprey) (*Pandion haliaetus*) — These raptors dive to catch fish like pike. ## Traits - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ancient-lineage): This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years. - [Longevous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/longevous): This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/fish) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Watch quietly from a distance and never try to feed or chase wild animals. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Pike? Look at body shape, where the fins sit and their outline, mouth position, stripes and spots. Young fish and breeding adults can wear different patterns, and aquarium color varieties can look nothing like wild fish. Fish Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 ## Where to spot - [Hofgarten Schleißheim (Oberschleißheim)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/hofgarten-schleissheim-oberschleissheim) — Bayern, DE · Park ## More Fish - [Rainbow Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/rainbow-trout) (*Oncorhynchus mykiss*) - [Brown Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-trout) (*Salmo trutta*) - [Brook Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brook-trout) (*Salvelinus fontinalis*) - [Lake Trout](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lake-trout) (*Salvelinus namaycush*) --- Source: [Northern Pike: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-pike)