# Pike (*Esox lucius*) Pikes are long, slender fish with sharp teeth that live in lakes and rivers. They are excellent hunters and can blend into their surroundings to catch their prey. - **Category:** [Fish](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/fish) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 5 - **Habitat:** Lakes and rivers - **Also known as:** Esox, Jackfish ![Pike](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426528/objects/6309.jpg) ## Appearance The Pike is a long, torpedo-shaped fish with an olive-green body adorned with light, bean-shaped spots. It has a distinctive flattened, duck-bill shaped snout and large mouth, making it easily recognizable among freshwater predators. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Angiospermae - **Class:** Actinopterygii - **Order:** Esociformes - **Family:** Esocidae - **Genus:** Esox ## Interesting facts - A Pike's eyes are positioned on top of its head, giving it a wide view upwards to spot prey. - Pike are so fierce, they sometimes eat other Pikes, even those nearly their own size! - Pike have teeth not only on their jaws but also on their tongue and roof of mouth! - Some massive Pikes have been known to live for over 25 years in the wild! ## Special abilities - **Stealth Skin:** Pike can blend into its watery background because of its spotted green pattern that helps them surprise prey. - **Ambush Burst:** Pike can explode from stillness with incredible speed because of its powerful tail fin that helps them catch fast-moving prey. - **Razor Jaw:** Pike has hundreds of needle-sharp, backward-pointing teeth that help them securely grip slippery fish. - **Vibration Radar:** Pike has a special lateral line system that helps them detect tiny movements of hidden prey in murky water. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 45-130 cm - **Weight:** 1-20 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Swim Speed:** 35 km/h - **Maximum Depth:** 20 m - **Water Type:** Freshwater ## Diet & Feeding Pike are top predators, mainly eating other fish and sometimes small animals. - **Age differences:** Young pike start by eating invertebrates and small fish, transitioning to larger fish as they grow. - **Primary Foods:** fish, frogs, small mammals, waterfowl chicks, crayfish, insects - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [European Perch](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-perch) (*Perca fluviatilis*) — A common prey fish for adult pike. - **Eaten by:** [Eurasian Otter](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eurasian-otter) (*Lutra lutra*) — Otters prey on smaller pike in their habitat. - **Eats:** [Water Vole](https://www.snappit.app/explore/water-vole) (*Arvicola amphibius*) — Pike ambush voles that swim across waterways. - **Shelter:** Floating Pondweed (*Potamogeton natans*) — Pike hide among these plants to ambush prey. ## Traits - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [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. - [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. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [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:** 3/5 · Moderate If you see a pike in the water, admire it from a safe distance and don't disturb its habitat. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify 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 Pike? 45-130 cm ### How much does Pike weigh? 1-20 kg ### How long does Pike live? 10-15 years ### What does Pike eat? Pike are top predators, mainly eating other fish and sometimes small animals. ### How fast can Pike swim? 35 km/h ### Where is Pike usually found? Lakes and rivers ### How does Pike hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Brady's Bluff Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bradys-bluff-prairie-state-natural-area) — Minnesota, US · State Park - [Fort Clark Trading Post State Historic Site](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-clark-trading-post-state-historic-site) — North Dakota, US · Historic Site - [Kabetogama Ranger Station District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kabetogama-ranger-station-district) — Minnesota, US · Historic District - [Lock and Dam No. 11](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lock-and-dam-no-11) — Iowa, US · Historic Site - [Old Village Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/old-village-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District [View all places to see Pike](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/pike) ## 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: [Pike: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pike)