Who cleans a river when it gets dirty?
In this episode ofWild Critters USAon the family podcastOrbit: Science for kids on the move!, we travel beneath the surface of streams and rivers to meet one of North America’s most important (but often overlooked!) animals: the freshwater mussel!
With the help of Tyler Hern from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we’ll discover how these amazing animals help clean water, sense the world around them without eyes or ears like ours, and survive one of the most extraordinary childhood journeys in the animal kingdom. We’ll also hear from David Mizejewski fromRanger Rick magazinefrom theNational Wildlife Federation, who helps us explore the surprising ways mussels attach to rocks and boats!
Along the way, kids and families will discover:
- Why freshwater mussels are nature’s water filters and help keep rivers healthy
- How mussels move using a special “foot” that looks more like a tongue
- The incredible journey of baby mussels, called glochidia, that hitch rides on fish to survive
- How scientists and hatcheries are helping protect freshwater mussels and the ecosystems that depend on them
Perfect for families with children ages 3-11, this episode explores ecosystems, animal adaptations, river habitats, biodiversity, and conservation through real questions from curious kids.
Wild Critters USAis a special family podcast series from Orbit: Science for Kids on the Move!, produced in collaboration with PBS Nature and Ranger Rick magazine from the National Wildlife Federation.
