The Challenge of Salmon Life

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Salmon lead an interesting life, partly out in the ocean and partly in inland streams.  Some salmon swim thousands of miles to breed in the stream where they were born.  Their urge to return may be triggered by day length, water temperature and other environmental changes.

It is thought their ability to swim to the area where they were hatched is accomplished by sensing it’s distinctive odour, imprinted on their brain at birth.

Salmon and are usually exhausted by the time they arrive in fresh water.  But still they must fight the current as they swim upstream to breed.  In order to make it to the appropriate spot the fish hurl themselves upstream, tearing their fins and battering their bodies as they struggle to make it.  By this time, they have stopped feeding and their stomach begins to disintegrate internally, leaving more room for the developing eggs and sperm.

Male salmon generally arrive at the spawning site first and stake out their territories.  When the female arrives she initiates spawning by preparing the nest for the salmon eggs.  When the nest is ready she signals that she is willing to lay her eggs.  Then the winning male, after a final competition for dominance, joins the female, where side by side they release their eggs and sperm above the nest, in what is often the last moments of life.

So next time you think life is challenging, think of those determined salmon and press on regardless.