What other creatures are influenced by the Chinook?
Interactions- The Chinook salmon has
made friends and foes with many other species of the Animalia
Kindom. As youngster
s, the Chinook falls prey to a variety
of predatory birds and shore fish. Predatory birds range
anywhere from eagles (Bald
Eagle) to seagulls that will either attack surface
salmon or prey on the dead and wounded. While the surface is unsafe, so
are
the surrounding waters. Freshwater predators of the salmon
can include:
pike (Northern
Pike,
Musky) and bass (Large-Mouth
Bass). Saltwater predators are numerous and consist of
basically anything that is bigger and more aggressive than the
particular Chinook that is seen as prey (Blue-fin
Tuna,
Shark).
While the Chinook has many predators it also has to be weary of the
lamprey. Lamprey are
aquatic parasites that latch onto fish and bore holes into the
flesh of their hosts to acquire the internal nutrients. Lamprey are
familiar with freshwater environments and have recently been
introduced to the Great Lakes by hitching rides on various
vessels coming in from the St. Lawrence River. Within the
lakes they are seen as a nuisance and kill numerous game fish
including the Chinook. Rows of teeth adhere to the sides of
Chinook and don't let go.
The
result of the unwelcomed parasitic guest is an open wound that
can lead to either a variety of pathological damages or death.