Unit 13 — Animals and Their Habitats

Welcome back!

Animals live all around us.

Some live in forests.

Some live in oceans.

Some live in deserts.

Some live in our homes.

Like plants, animals are living things.

Today we will discover how animals live, grow, and survive.

What Animals Need

Every animal has basic needs.

Animals need:

• food
• water
• air
• shelter
• space

Different animals meet these needs in different ways.

Habitats

A habitat is the natural place where a living thing lives.

Habitats provide everything an animal needs to survive.

Some common habitats include:

• forests
• grasslands
• deserts
• oceans
• rivers
• ponds
• mountains

Each habitat is different.

Forest Animals

Forests are home to many animals.

You might find:

• deer
• squirrels
• owls
• bears
• rabbits
• foxes

Trees provide food and shelter for many forest animals.

Ocean Animals

Oceans cover most of Earth's surface.

Many amazing animals live there.

Some examples are:

• fish
• dolphins
• whales
• octopuses
• sea turtles
• seals

Ocean animals have special bodies that help them swim.

Desert Animals

Deserts are hot and dry.

Animals that live there have special ways to survive.

Some desert animals include:

• camels
• lizards
• snakes
• coyotes
• roadrunners

Many desert animals rest during the hottest part of the day.

How Animals Grow

Most animals begin life very small.

As they grow they:

• eat
• learn
• become stronger
• eventually become adults

Parents often protect and care for their young until they can survive on their own.

How Animals Help Nature

Animals are important members of nature.

Some animals:

• spread seeds
• pollinate flowers
• control insect populations
• provide food for other animals

Every living thing has an important role.

Activity

Choose one animal.

Draw its habitat.

Then answer:

What does it eat?

Where does it sleep?

How does it stay safe?

What makes its habitat a good home?

Practice

Complete these sentences.

A habitat is __________________.

One forest animal is __________________.

One ocean animal is __________________.

Animals need __________________ to survive.

One thing I learned today is __________________.

Review

Today you learned:

• animals have basic needs
• habitats provide food, water, shelter, and space
• different habitats support different animals
• animals grow and change throughout their lives
• every animal plays an important role in nature

The natural world is made of many living things working together.

Looking Ahead

Next we will discover food chains and ecosystems.

We will learn how plants, animals, and people all depend on one another.

Everything in nature is connected.