Pond · Mochi IsleScience for kids

What lives in a pond?

In short: A pond is a small, shallow pool of still fresh water where sunlight reaches the bottom and water plants grow well. Frogs, fish and dragonflies lay their eggs there, and their babies grow up in the water.

How it works

A pond is smaller and shallower than a lake, and its water hardly moves. It is fresh water, not salty like the sea. Because sunlight reaches the bottom, plants can grow right across it, giving pond animals food, hiding places and oxygen. Pond water can come from rain, an underground spring or a small stream flowing in.

In spring you may spot clumps of jelly-like frog eggs, called frogspawn. They hatch into tadpoles, which swim with a tail and breathe through gills. Slowly they grow legs and their tails shrink, until at last they become little frogs that can hop out onto land.

Baby dragonflies are called nymphs. They live underwater for months or even years, catching small creatures to eat. When a nymph is ready, it climbs up a plant stem out of the water, its skin splits down the back, and an adult dragonfly with wings crawls out.

Where to see it in New Zealand

Most tadpoles in New Zealand ponds belong to frogs brought here from Australia, such as bell frogs. Most of our native frogs are unusual: their babies grow inside the egg and hatch looking almost like tiny adult frogs, skipping the swimming tadpole stage. Look out for pūkeko around pond edges too.

Try it together

In spring, visit a pond with an adult and stay on the bank, away from deep water. Scoop a little water into a clean clear jar and look closely with a magnifying glass for tadpoles or tiny swimmers. Pour everything gently back, then wash your hands.

Kids also ask

What is the difference between a pond and a lake?

A pond is usually much smaller and shallower, so sunlight reaches the bottom and plants can grow all over it. A lake is bigger and deeper, with dark water in the middle. There is no exact dividing line.

Why is pond water often green?

It is full of algae, tiny plant-like living things that grow in sunlight. A little algae is normal and healthy, but too much can make a pond smelly and use up the oxygen that fish need.

In the game, “Pond” is a nature card on Mochi Isle.

Your child finds this card by reaching the right place or meeting the right weather on the island, and lights it up by answering the question on the back. Tap the button below and the game shows your child which island it is on and how to find it. Mochi Isle is a browser learning game for ages 5 to 18; the main island and the daily lesson are free.

Find “Pond” on the island ↗ All cards from Mochi Isle