Question 1

What is a salmon?

Accepted Answer

A salmon is a type of fish that lives in both rivers and the ocean. They are known for their tasty pink meat.

Question 2

Where do salmon begin their life?

Accepted Answer

Salmon begin their life as eggs in a river or stream. They stay safe in a gravel nest called a redd.

Question 3

What happens after salmon eggs hatch?

Accepted Answer

When the eggs hatch, tiny baby salmon called alevins come out. They still have a yolk sac attached to them which they use for food.

Question 4

What do alevins grow into?

Accepted Answer

Alevins grow into small fish called fry. Fry swim around and start looking for their own food in the river.

Question 5

What is a smolt?

Accepted Answer

A smolt is a young salmon that is ready to leave the river. They travel to the ocean where they will grow bigger.

Question 6

Why do salmon go to the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Salmon go to the ocean because there is more food for them to eat there. This helps them grow strong and big.

Question 7

How long do salmon stay in the ocean?

Accepted Answer

Salmon stay in the ocean for a few years, usually around 1 to 4 years. During this time, they grow into adults.

Question 8

What is the journey salmon make back to the river called?

Accepted Answer

The journey back to the river is called migration. The salmon swim from the ocean back to the river where they were born.

Question 9

Why do salmon go back to the river?

Accepted Answer

Salmon go back to the river to lay their eggs. They want their babies to have a safe place to start their life, just like they did.

Question 10

How do salmon find their way back to their home river?

Accepted Answer

Salmon have a strong sense of smell that helps them find their home river. They follow the scent of the water to get back.

Question 11

What is spawning?

Accepted Answer

Spawning is when salmon lay their eggs in the river. The mother salmon makes a nest in the gravel and lays her eggs there.

Question 12

What happens to salmon after they spawn?

Accepted Answer

After they lay their eggs, most salmon die. Their bodies provide food for other animals and help the forest grow.

Question 13

Why do salmon die after they spawn?

Accepted Answer

Salmon use a lot of energy to swim up the river and lay their eggs. After all their hard work, their bodies are too tired to survive.

Question 14

Do all salmon die after spawning?

Accepted Answer

Most types of salmon die after they spawn, but not all. Some kinds of salmon can spawn more than once, like the steelhead trout.

Question 15

What is the lifespan of a salmon?

Accepted Answer

A salmon's life can last from 3 to 7 years, depending on the type of salmon. They spend part of their life in fresh water and part in the ocean.

Question 16

What animals eat salmon?

Accepted Answer

Bears, birds, other fish, and humans all eat salmon. Salmon are an important source of food for many animals.

Question 17

Why are salmon important?

Accepted Answer

Salmon are important because they are food for many animals and people. They also help keep rivers and forests healthy.

Question 18

What is the biggest threat to salmon?

Accepted Answer

Pollution, overfishing, and changes in their habitat can be big threats to salmon. These things can make it hard for them to survive.

Question 19

How can we help salmon?

Accepted Answer

We can help salmon by keeping rivers clean and protecting their habitats. This gives them a better chance to grow and lay eggs.

Question 20

Can salmon be farmed?

Accepted Answer

Yes, salmon can be farmed in special fish farms. This helps people get salmon without taking too many from the wild.

The Lifecycle of a Salmon - 20 FAQs Explained Simply