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A habitat is the place where an animal or plant lives and grows.

A habitat gives living things what they need: food, water, shelter and space.

There are many kinds of habitat: rainforests, deserts, oceans and coral reefs are just a few.

Animals have bodies that suit their habitat. A polar bear lives on the sea ice. A thick layer of fat and its special fur keep it warm.

Experiment: A habitat hunt

1. Go outside with your teacher. Look in four places: under a log or stone, in long grass, on a leaf, and on a sunny wall or path.
2. Gently lift the log or stone (an adult helps). What lives underneath?
3. Look closely with the magnifying glass. Do not pick animals up with your fingers.
4. Fill in the table: what did you find? Is the place damp or dry? Dark or light?
5. Put the log or stone back exactly as it was, so the animals keep their home.
6. Back in class: which place had the most small animals? Why do you think they like it there?

Place	What we found	Damp or dry?	Dark or light?
Under a log or stone
Long grass
On a leaf
Sunny wall or path

Questions

1. Draw an animal in its habitat. Show where it finds food, water and shelter.

   🍎

2. Where does a camel live?

   desert / ocean

3. Name one thing that every habitat must give an animal.

Sources for every fact on this sheet: echoesof.science/school/habitats/sources/

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