Chapter 3 Lesson 3 Habitats Change

How do Habitats Change? Habitats can change from natural causes. Habitats can change from natural causes. Floods, droughts, fires, animals and changes in weather. Floods, droughts, fires, animals and changes in weather.

A drought is a long period of time without water.

Floods can also change a habitat.

Fires can also destroy a habitat. Fires can happen naturally or be caused by humans.

How do Habitats Change Humans are also a reason habitats can change. Humans are also a reason habitats can change. We destroy habitats with construction, destruction and pollution We destroy habitats with construction, destruction and pollution

People change habitats when they build houses or buildings.

Deforestation destroys forest habitats for plants and animals.

What Happens when Habitats Change? Animals may not be able to find food, water or shelter if their habitat is changed. Animals may not be able to find food, water or shelter if their habitat is changed. Plants and animals can die from changes in a habitat. Plants and animals can die from changes in a habitat. When many of one kind of animal die and only a few are left, the animal is endangered. When many of one kind of animal die and only a few are left, the animal is endangered. If no animals are left, they are extinct. If no animals are left, they are extinct.

Polar Bears are endangered.

Tigers are endangered.

Sea turtles are endangered.

Gorillas are endangered.

The dodo bird is extinct.

An animal called a quagga – half horse, half zebra, is extinct.

Dinosaurs are also extinct.

How can we tell how a Habitat used to Look? Scientists use fossils to learn about habitats in the past. Scientists use fossils to learn about habitats in the past. A fossil is what is left of a living thing from the past. A fossil is what is left of a living thing from the past. Scientists can use fossils to tell if the habitat has changed. Scientists can use fossils to tell if the habitat has changed.

This fossil was found in the desert. What does it tell you about what the habitat looked like in the past?

This fossil was found on land. What does that tell you about how the habitat looked in the past?