Here is an overview of the spawning site in Trib 8 , a tiny, shallow tributary in the middle of the Morrison Creek Headwaters .
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Slide Shows
Lamprey are ancient fish dating back at least 300 million years. They have no paired fins, no scales, no jaw and, while they are vertebrates, they have no bones, only cartilage. Here is some basic information about these unique animals.
Morrison Creek Streamkeepers have identified several sites where lamprey spawn. We recorded the particulars of each site and identified some characteristics they share.
Lamprey spend several years of their life cycle buried in mud, invisible in the stream bed. Find out more about this secretive part of their life history.
Like salmon, lamprey spawn and die. When sexually mature, its fairly easy to tell males from females. Find out how to sex these fish that may be only the size of a ball point pen.
One of the most unique and amazing aspects of lamprey is their spawning behavior. Learn more about how they work together in groups to build nests, moving stones with their mouths.
Video Clips
Lamprey Work party & Spawning. Watch as lamprey near top centre struggles to move large stone and another comes to help out. Just to the left, a pair of lamprey couple and spawn as the rest of the group arranges stones for the nest.
Here is an overview of the site, a tiny, shallow tributary in the middle of the Morrison Creek Headwaters.
Lamprey spawn as a group. Here's a closeup of a group of lamprey moving stones and larger rock for their nest.
Lamprey Rock Moving Party
