AnimalTracks.wiki

What the sources say

Northern PikeEsox lucius

Every figure, record and mechanism on the Northern Pike profile was written from a source, and this is the working table behind it: 33 claims checked word for word against these sources. The left column is what the page says. The right column is the source's own words, copied, not paraphrased; a ... marks a cut and[brackets] an insertion. Open any source and check it yourself.

Profile updated

Source
01

Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan

Esox lucius (American pike). Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan.

The page saysA freshwater ambush predator that lies cocked in an S, then strikes with a sprint.
The source saysConsiderd "sprint predators", E. lucius hide in some type of cover, cocked in an "S" position, ready to strike.Note: tagline; freshwater from FishBase/ADW habitat
The page saysLakes, ponds and rivers across northern North America and Eurasia
The source saysEsox lucius is native to North America and Eurasia. ... from cold deep lakes, to warm shallow ponds, to muddy riversNote: stats.habitat
The page saysFish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals and birds
The source sayspredators of smaller fish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals and birdsNote: stats.diet
The page saysHides cocked in an S, then sprints to strike
The source sayshide in some type of cover, cocked in an "S" position, ready to strikeNote: stats.superpower
The page saysit hides in cover, bent into an S shape, ready to strike
The source sayshide in some type of cover, cocked in an "S" position, ready to strike
The page saysADW calls it a "sprint predator"
The source saysConsiderd "sprint predators", E. lucius hide in some type of cover
The page saysIts eyes are highly movable and can see in practically any direction, which is extremely important in tracking prey
The source saysTheir eyes are highly movable and are able to see in practically any direction. This is extremely important in tracking their prey.
The page saysAdd sharp teeth and a complex skull and jaw
The source saysEquipped with sharp teeth and very complex skull and jaw structures
The page saysPike are top predators in the systems they inhabit, and they prey on smaller fish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals and birds.
The source sayspredators of smaller fish, frogs, crayfish, small mammals and birds ... Northern pike are top predators in the systems they inhabit
The page saysADW gives an average length of 46 to 51 cm and a mass range of 0.5 to 1.4 kg.
The source saysNorthern pike average 46 to 51 cm (18-20 inches) in length. ... Range mass 0.5 to 1.4 kg
The page saysThey are found in almost every type of freshwater, from cold deep lakes to warm shallow ponds to muddy rivers.
The source saysare found in almost every type of freshwater, from cold deep lakes, to warm shallow ponds, to muddy rivers
The page saysThey are random spawners, not nest builders, and the eggs, which hatch in about 2 weeks, get no protection.
The source saysNorthern pike are considered random spawners not nest builders. ... The eggs that survive hatch in about 2 weeks. ... Males remain in the spawning area for several weeks, but do not protect the eggs.
The page saysPike show no parental involvement.
The source saysParental Investment no parental involvement
The page saysYoung pike have insatiable eating habits and grow rapidly in both length and weight.
The source saysWith their insatiable eating habits young E. lucius grow rapidly in both length and weight.
The page saysIt is typically a lurker that waits in some kind of cover, cocked into an S, and can attack quickly.
The source saysThey are typically lurkers, but are able to attack quickly. ... hide in some type of cover, cocked in an "S" position, ready to strike.Note: FAQ
The page saysHighly movable eyes help it track prey from almost any angle.
The source saysTheir eyes are highly movable and are able to see in practically any direction. This is extremely important in tracking their prey.Note: FAQ
The page saysYoung pike face their own predators: the eggs, fry and young may be eaten by other predatory fish, aquatic birds, otters or the larvae of aquatic insects.
The source saysthe eggs, fry, and young of northern pike may be eaten by other predatory fish, aquatic birds, otters, or by the larvae of aquatic insects
The page saysA northern pike waits in cover, cocked in an S, ready to strike
The source sayshide in some type of cover, cocked in an "S" position, ready to strike

Source
02

FishBase

Esox lucius, Northern pike. FishBase.

The page saysFishBase says adults feed mainly on fishes, and cannibalism is common.
The source saysAdults feed mainly on fishes, but at times feed heavily on frogs and crayfish (Ref. 27547 ). Cannibalism is common.
The page saysIn arctic lakes a pike is sometimes the only fish species in the water.
The source saysIn arctic lakes, it is sometimes the only species present in a given water body.
The page saysThere, large individuals are mainly cannibals
The source saysIn such cases, juveniles feed on invertebrates and terrestrial vertebrates; large individuals are mainly cannibals
The page saysOther fish avoid pike feces because they contain alarm pheromones
The source saysFeces of pike are avoided by other fish because they contain alarm pheromones.
The page saysFishBase lists a maximum length of 150 cm for a female, a maximum published weight of 28.4 kg and a maximum reported age of 30 years.
The source says150.0 cm TL (female); ... common length :55 cm TL (female); max. published weight: 28.4 kg (Ref. 40637 ); max. published weight: 28.4 kg; max. reported age: 30 years
The page saysPike are circumpolar in fresh water
The source saysCircumpolar in fresh water.
The page saysIn North America they live from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pennsylvania and Nebraska.
The source saysNorth America: Atlantic, Arctic, Pacific, Great Lakes, and Mississippi River basins from Labrador to Alaska and south to Pennsylvania and Nebraska, USA
The page saysFishBase gives a common length of 55 cm for females and 40 cm for males or unsexed fish.
The source sayscommon length : 40.0 cm TL male/unsexed; (Ref. 556 ); common length :55 cm TL (female)Note: FAQ
The page saysfemales can reach 150 cm, and the maximum published weight is 28.4 kg
The source says150.0 cm TL (female); ... max. published weight: 28.4 kgNote: FAQ

Source
03

USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database

Esox lucius Linnaeus, 1758 (Northern Pike). USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database.

The page saysintroduced pike can significantly reduce prey density and even eliminate species
The source saysThe piscivorous Northern Pike has been shown to significantly reduce prey density and has the potential to cause large-scale changes in fish communities, even resulting in species elimination
The page saysIn a 1990 University of Montana study, pike eliminated most other fishes except the pumpkinseed, which was likely protected by its deep body and stiff spines, making it difficult prey
The source saysA study conducted by T. Jones (University of Montana) in 1990, found Northern Pike eliminated most other fishes except for the pumpkinseed Lepomis gibbosus , which was likely protected by its deep body shape and stiff spines, making it difficult prey
The page saysThe USGS says pike have been shown to cut prey numbers sharply, with the potential to wipe out species.
The source sayshas been shown to significantly reduce prey density and has the potential to cause large-scale changes in fish communities, even resulting in species eliminationNote: FAQ
The page saysA 1990 University of Montana study found pike had removed most other fish except pumpkinseed.
The source saysA study conducted by T. Jones (University of Montana) in 1990, found Northern Pike eliminated most other fishes except for the pumpkinseedNote: FAQ

Source
04

Ford 2024

Ford (2024). Esox lucius. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2024: e.T135631A221207099.

The page saysLeast Concern
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).Note: status; GBIF copy of the Red List, taxon 135631
The page saysThe IUCN lists the species as Least Concern.
The source saysIUCN Red List category: Least Concern (LC).

How the table was made: a writer drafted the profile from these sources and logged each claim with its quote, a reviewer with nothing but this table checked every sentence said no more than its quote, and a script confirmed each quote appears word for word in the source. The method is in the site'sAbout page.