Habitats By: Edwina Smith

What is a habitat? A habitat is the place where living things live. It is more than just a home it includes the whole surrounding area. The habitat provides the animal or plant with food or shelter.

Animals get food, water, and shelter from their habitat.

Animals and plants Most plants and animals are specially adapted to survive in a particular habitat. They have developed special features to suit the demands of their environment. This is called adaption.

Some examples of adaption

All birds have similar characteristics. Long legs are good for wading All birds have similar characteristics. But many water birds have features that are different from those birds live on land. These wings act as flippers Webbed feet for swimming

Some animals are camouflaged to blend in with their surroundings. This keeps them safe as it is more difficult for other animals to see them or catch them for food. This lion blends in well with the grassy background. These zebra could easily be mistaken for bushes from a distance. This lizards skin is so similar to the rock colour.

Aquatic animals have streamlined bodies to move more easily in the water.

These animals have adapted to live in the hot climate of the desert. Camels store water in their humps. Ostriches have long eyelashes to keep out the sand. Snakes glide across the hot sands and can shed their skin

These animals have adapted to be more suited to cold temperatures. Layers of fat keep the seals body warm, and small ears stop heat loss. Polar bears are kept warm by their body fat. Deer have a warm layer of fur.

Even plants have adapted to their habitats. The cactus has fleshy stems that store water. Dandelions seeds are easily dispersed. The water provides support for this lily as it has less developed roots to hold it in place.

Animals and plants help each other Plants and animals depend on each other for a wide variety of things. Protection Nests to reproduce Shelter Food Gas exchange

Life in a Desert A desert gets less rain in a year than most plants and animals need to live. Many animals hide below ground or under rocks to keep cool.

Life in a Woodland Forest A woodland forest is a habitat that gets enough rain and sunlight for trees to grow well. When birds migrate in the fall they move to warmer places.

Life in a Rain Forest A rain forest is a habitat where it rains almost every day. Animals use trees and plants for food and shelter.

Life in the Arctic The Arctic is a very cold place, near the North Pole, where snow is on the ground for much of the year.

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter In the spring animals have their young, and leaves began to grow on trees. In the summer animals find a lot of food, and the leaves are green on trees.

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter In the fall plant seeds stick to animals, and leaves on the trees began to change colors. In the winter some animals go into a deep sleep, and most trees do not have any leaves.

Plants grow low to the grow in the summer in the Arctic.

Plants grow low to the grow in the summer in the Arctic. Animals migrate in the winter in the Arctic to find food.