Temperate Deciduous Forests: Animals

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

You have learned so much about temperate deciduous forests so far!

Let's review what you have learned:

• Temperate deciduous forests are found in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
• There are four seasons: fall, winter, spring, and summer.
• Deciduous trees lose their leaves during the fall.
• Some plants die off in the fall and winter and return in the spring.

Fantastic!

• Did you remember all these important facts?

Great! Now you are ready to learn about some animals that live in temperate deciduous forests.

Temperate deciduous forests are home to all types of animals. This means you can find mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, amphibians, and arachnids here.

All the animals that are found here are able to survive through the changing seasons. Read on to find out how!

Mammals can be found in temperate deciduous forests. Raccoons, skunks, deer, bear, foxes, chipmunks, and squirrels are some of the mammals that can be found in this biome.

Some of these animals hibernate when the seasons change. Some survive all year round here!

For example, grey squirrels can be seen all year round in temperate deciduous forests. During the fall, they collect food and store it in their homes to help them survive the winter months when it is harder to find food.

Bears hibernate during the winter. This means they collect food all throughout the fall and sleep in their dens all winter long.

Check out the mammals below!

Birds can also be found in temperate deciduous forests. Some of these birds stay all year round, and others migrate. Migrate means they fly south to warmer temperatures for the winter.

Some examples of birds found in this biome include: cardinals, chickadees, owls, hawks, blue jays, and sparrows.

Reptiles and amphibians can also be found in this biome. Some common reptiles found in temperate deciduous forests include snakes, lizards, and turtles. Frogs, salamanders, and newts are common amphibians that can be found here.

Reptiles and amphibians hibernate during the winter. It is too cold for them to survive out in the snow! These animals usually burrow deep underground and sleep until spring.

Insects and arachnids can be found in this biome, too. Ants, earthworms, centipedes, spiders, beetles, and millipedes are just some of the many bugs that can be found here.

Some of these insects and spiders die off in the winter, some migrate, and others remain in eggs that don't hatch until the spring.

• Which animal is your favorite so far?
• How do some animals survive during the winter months?

Once you have answered both questions, move on to the next section.