Key Information
Salmon
| Species | Around 53 |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Length | 18 to 58 inches |
| Weight | Up to 100 lb |
| Classification | Actinopterygii > Salmoniformes > Salmoninae |
| Conservation Status | Varies, some Endangered |
| Habitat | Rivers and Oceans |
Learning Point
- Salmon are the ultimate biological endurance athletes, famous for their “anadromous” lifestyle—meaning they are born in freshwater, migrate to the salty ocean to bulk up, and eventually fight their way back to their exact birthplace to spawn. This grueling journey, known as the salmon run, requires them to leap up waterfalls and dodge predators like bears. During this transition, their bodies physically transform, often changing color or growing hooked jaws. By returning home to lay eggs and eventually die, they provide vital nutrients that sustain entire forest ecosystems and provide a massive feast for local wildlife.
Project
- Draw a picture of Salmon jumping up the river.
- Overview
Location
| Places | North Atlantic and North Pacific |
Fun Facts
- Salmon have an incredible sense of smell! They can remember the unique “scent” of the stream where they were born, which helps them find their way back home from thousands of miles away in the ocean.
- They can jump as high as 2 meters (over 6 feet) into the air to get over waterfalls and logs!
- They spend their childhood in rivers, their “teen” years in the ocean, and then return to rivers as adults.
- When salmon move from the ocean back into rivers to lay eggs, they change colors! Many turn from silvery-blue to bright fire-truck red or deep purple.
- Once salmon start their long trip back to their home stream, they actually stop eating entirely. They use all the energy they stored up from the ocean to finish their journey.
Past Lessons
| 199 | January 28, 2026 | (North America) |