What Living Things Need to Survive: Animals

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Just like plants, animals need certain things to survive.

Do you think plants and animals need similar things? Share your thoughts with your parent or teacher. Before you learn about what animals need, tell a parent or teacher the four things plants need to survive. If you need a review, go to the previous lesson in our What Do Living Things Need to Survive? series found in the right-hand sidebar under Related Lessons.

Did you say plants need sunlight, water, air, and soil? Great! You are ready to learn about what animals need!

So, what do you need to do to survive?

Did you say eat? Fantastic! Animals need food to survive. Without food, animals would not get the nutrients they need to survive. Food gives animals the energy they need to be active. Have you ever gone a day without eating enough? How did that make you feel? Probably not so good, right?

What do you drink every day? Tell a parent or teacher.

Did you say water? Great! Animals need water to survive. Some animals get their water from streams and lakes. Others animals, like people, get their water from wells. Water is very important for animals! Water helps animals stay hydrated. Going too long without water can cause animals and people to become sick and weak. Without water, animals would not be able to survive.

Another important thing animals need is shelter. Your home is your shelter. Do you think you would be able to survive out in the open with no roof over your head? All animals need shelter. Humans live in homes, apartments, mobile homes, and townhomes. Animals can live in burrows, caves, trees, and barns. Animals need shelter to protect them from cold or hot weather, precipitation, and predators. Without shelter, it would be very hard for animals to survive.

Lastly, animals need air to breathe. Without oxygen, animals would not be able to breathe. We need plants to create oxygen for us to breathe. Can you remember what photosynthesis is? Tell a parent or teacher what photosynthesis is. Photosynthesis happens when a plant takes the energy from the sun, nutrients from the soil, water, and carbon dioxide, and creates food for itself. After the plant creates the food, it gives off oxygen. Animals and people breathe oxygen.

Excellent work! You know all the things animals need to survive. Tell a parent or teacher the four things animals need to survive.

Did you say food, water, shelter, and air? Nice job! Move on to the next section to learn more about what animals need to survive.