[bright upbeat music] - Hello, everyone, and welcome.

My name is Graceson.

I'm an animal interpreter here at the zoo in Memphis, Tennessee.

Now, today, we're gonna take a deep dive into something that every living thing needs to survive.

And, that's water.

Water is found everywhere.

It covers almost all of the planet.

And, there are many different types of waterways.

Now, think about some of the things that we use water for.

There are many things we use water for.

We use water to clean things, like clothes, dishes, and our hands.

We use water for fun activities like swimming and fishing.

And, we need water to stay hydrated.

Animals use water in many ways just like we do.

Let's go look at some of the ways animals use water.

The first animal you probably think of needing water is a fish.

There are many different types of fish species that live all over the world in many different water homes.

Fish can live in either freshwater or saltwater.

Freshwater fish live in rivers, lakes, and ponds.

Saltwater fish almost always live in the ocean.

These locations also provide the animals with food.

Plants can grow in water and make the oxygen that fish need to breathe just like us.

Fish come in many different shapes and sizes just like us.

And, they each have cool features.

Freshwater fish, like river stingrays, have powerful jaws used to crush the shells of their prey, while piranas have sharp teeth to tear meat off their prey.

For saltwater fish, like the clownfish, they have a unique adaptation to protect them from predators.

They are immune to the sting of anemones, so they use them as their shelter.

And, while coral may look like a rock, it is actually a living organism that provides shelter for fish and keeps the environment balanced.

Fish are not the only animal that rely on water for their habitat.

A lot of birds rely on water as well.

They need it for their habitat, but also for their source of food.

Now, birds don't have to live in the water all the time, they can live on land, but they will use the water to go fishing.

Penguins can dive really deep into the water and they can swim super fast to catch those fish.

Now, pelicans, on the other hand, have really good eyesight, so they can see their fish all the way from up in the sky.

They also have huge mouths, so they can catch a lot on the fish in one big gulp.

Some animals don't need water just to stay hydrated.

They actually need water to help them stay pretty healthy.

Toads, frogs, and salamanders are all types of amphibians.

All amphibians start off as teeny tiny eggs.

And, then they grow.

They start off with little tails and tiny legs, and then they keep growing until they're adults.

But, amphibians never truly leave the water.

Toads, like Tim-Tam here, actually have to use water to help 'em stay healthy.

Their skin is so thin that they need water to help them breathe and drink.

They can actually drink through that skin.

Their skin has to always stay wet, so they can stay healthy and breathe.

Amphibians like toads and Tim-Tam are actually excellent indicator species.

This means that they can tell you if the water is healthy and clean.

Snake need water, just like you and me, but did you know that snakes also need water to help them stay healthy?

Just as you might outgrow your favorite shoes or maybe a favorite shirt as you get older, snakes also tend to outgrow their skin as they also grow.

They shed every inch of their body, from the front of their face all the way to the tip of their tail.

Now, to help with this shed, snakes actually will give themselves a spa day and soak themselves in water.

The water actually helps loosen up those scales to make it much, much easier for when they need to shed when the time comes.

One of my favorite activities to do when it is super hot outside is to go swimming and cool off.

Many animals also use water to help them cool off.

Birds will spread their wings and bathe in the water to help them cool off, while other animals, like crocodilians and hippos, will go for a swim to help them stay cool.

We've learned about many ways the animals need water more than just to stay hydrated.

But, did you know that there's a lot of things we can do to help animals by keeping their waterways clean?

Polar bears are losing a lot of their habitat due to rising temperatures and pollutants in the water.

With less ice to allow for habitat and hunting, polar bears' health starts to decline.

And, just like polar bears, sea lion are also struggling due to a lack of food.

There's not as many fish in the sea due to water pollution, so they don't have as many opportunities to eat.

But, if we are mindful about what we pour down the drain and throw away, we can keep these animals happy and healthy.

There are a lot of other easy things we can do to help animals conserve water and keep our planet healthy.

Turning off the sink when you're brushing your teeth, taking shorter showers or baths, using reusable water bottles, instead of plastic ones, and making sure our trash gets into the proper bin.

We learned a lot about why water is so important to all living things and that it can be found almost everywhere on earth.

Just like us, animals need water for more ways than just to just stay hydrated.

We learned that animals need water to provide their habitat, provide their food, to stay healthy, and to even cool off when they get too hot.

It's amazing how animals need water just as much as we do.

They need it for a home, their next snack, a way to stay healthy and strong, to stay cool, and also simply just to have fun.

Water is not only important to us, but it's important to plants, animals, and the earth itself.

So, the next time it rains or you go swimming, think about all the animals, and how they're enjoying using water, just like you might use it.

I hope you all enjoyed learning about water and how important it is.

Now, I'm feeling a little thirsty, so I'm gonna go fill up my water bottle.

Thank you, guys, and have a great rest of the day.