Where Do Animals Live?

Lesson Plan - Get It!

Audio:

There are many places on Earth where animals can be found.

A place where an animal lives is called its habitat. You saw a picture of cats and dogs in the beginning of this lesson. Cats and dogs are considered pets in many parts of the world. Pets usually live inside of houses, apartments, or condos. People can own pet hamsters, mice, gerbils, rabbits, guinea pigs, fish, birds, snakes, frogs, and turtles, too. These animals live inside cages and tanks.

• Animals can live on farms. Can you think of any farm animals?

Tell your parent or teacher.

Cows, pigs, chickens, goats, sheep, and horses live on farms! Many of these animals have open space for grazing (nibbling) on grass. Chickens live in coops. This is where they find shelter from harsh weather and protection from predators (animals that eat other animals). It is also a place where they can safely lay their eggs.

Wild animals live outside. Bears, foxes, coyotes, squirrels, deer, and chipmunks are animals that live in the forest. Chipmunks live in small burrows (holes) in the ground and in logs. Squirrels live in holes and nests in trees. You can find larger animals like foxes, coyotes, and bears living in caves or dens in the forest.

There are animals that live in very cold climates in the north and south. Animals that live in the tundra and Arctic are polar bears, Arctic seals, penguins, snow rabbits, arctic foxes, and muskox. Many of these animals live in burrows in the snow or caves. Muskoxen stay close together in their herds to keep warm when it is very cold.

Most animals that live in the Arctic have white fur. This helps them camouflage, or blend in, with their surroundings.

In hot places, like the desert, animals have tan fur that helps them blend in with their surroundings. Some animals that live in the desert are camels, meerkats, lizards, snakes, rabbits, and turtles. Small animals, like meerkats and rabbits, make burrows in the ground. They stay there when the hot sun is out. The burrows are cooler because they are underground. Many animals in the desert hide from the sun among the cactuses and grasses.

Animals can be found living in the rainforest, too! Monkeys, birds, frogs, lizards, and snakes are examples of animals that can be found in the rainforest. Many animals live in the trees of the rainforest. The branches and leaves protect them from the rain and hot sun. Animals also live on the forest floor, too. Some animals live in fallen logs that can be found on the forest floor. The trees grow very tall there and provide many animals with their homes.

A savannah is an area with lots of flat land, tall grasses, and very few trees. The savannah is home to many different types of animals. Lions, cheetahs, antelopes, oxen, zebras, giraffes, and elephants can be found living in the savannah. Antelopes, oxen, elephants, and zebra live in a herd. They stick together as they travel across the savannah. Lions live in groups called prides. Most of the animals in the savannah live together in groups. This helps them protect their babies and hunt for food.

The ocean is a place that is home to fish, whales, turtles, dolphins, sharks, and coral. All of these creatures live under the water. Some animals, like dolphins and whales, need to come up from under the water for air. Fish that live in the ocean generally swim in schools. A school is just another way to say a group of fish!

Animals can be found in so many places around the world! In the Got It? section, you will learn a habitats song and explore habitats!