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 mistakenfor 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 birdsmigrate 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.