Pike (Esox lucius)

Not many people are aware that a true top predator lives on campus. This is probably because the animal often hides among the aquatic plants. The pike usually hunts from an ambush, lying motionless for hours before striking with lightning speed when an unsuspecting fish swims past. During hunting or in fights with other pike, they sometimes leap out of the water.

The senses of these fish are fully adapted to hunting. For example, they have excellent eyesight, and two grooves along their head enable them to focus on prey directly in front of them. In addition, the pike has a keen sense of smell underwater and a highly sensitive lateral line, which allows it to detect movement, vibrations, and pressure changes in the water.

Female pike can grow up to 1.40 metres in length, making them one of the largest freshwater fish species in the Netherlands. It may therefore come as a surprise that this fish is present on campus, but the ponds offer a highly suitable habitat. The pond near Forum is shallow, heavily vegetated with aquatic plants, and teeming with small roach—one of the pike's favourite prey. From time to time, these predators will also take coots, frogs, and even small mammals.