Trout Adaptations to Their Surroundings
In trout parks the fish are raised in rearing pools. These are nothing more than long concrete pools of shallow water that is under constant current by paddlewheels. The paddlewheels simulate the rivers current. When at rest, the fish will always position themselves gills first in direction of current flow. This allows the fish to take in more oxygen from the water. The fish are raised in these pools until they are large enough to be put in the river for catching. Their skin color is very dark with specks of white. Once released to the river, their skin slowly changes color to what a normal rainbow trout looks like. Trout that are released to lakes will maintain the normal rainbow color, but will be a little more brown. These changes in color are like that of a chameleon. This is an instinct that the trout are born with to prevent them from being eaten by other fish or birds. This adaptability remains with them all throughout life. Unlike us, we are born with only one instinct. To take milk from our mother. Our adaptability to our environments is learned from others.
Rearing Pool at Bennett Springs Trout Park