Polar Habitats

Some parts of the world are very cold. These cold places near the North and South Poles are

polar areas. Snow and ice cover the polar areas most of the year.

Few plants live in the polar areas. The plants can grow only in the short summer season. They

cannot grow very large.

The same kinds of animals do not live in both polar areas. Polar bears and musk oxen live near

the North Pole. Penguins live only near the South Pole. Some animals in these cold places look different

in each season. Many grow heavy fur in winter. They shed much of their fur in summer. Some are

adapted to season changes in other ways.

North Pole South Pole

musk ox

polar bear

walrus

penguin

seal

Desert Habitats

A desert is a place that does not have much precipitation. Some deserts are hot and dry. Some are

cold and dry. Living things in deserts are adapted to having little water. Some desert animals drink little water.

They get water from their food. Some animals drink a lot of water at one time. They can live for many days before

drinking again.

Desert plants are also adapted. Some plants store water in their stems or roots. Some plants have

special leaves. The leaves are small and thin. Only small amounts of water move out of the plants through these

leaves.

Many desert plants and animals are small. Being small is one way they are adapted to live in the

desert. Small living things need less water than large ones.

American Deserts African Deserts

kangaroo rat

rattlesnake

jack rabbit

cactus wren

camelostrich

Grassland Habitats

A grassland is a place where most of the plants are grasses. There is not enough rain to support

growing trees. American grasslands have cold winters and hot summers. There is not a lot of rain in the

grasslands. Many different kinds of animals live on American grasslands.

African grasslands have warm temperatures all year round. They have a dry season in the winter and

a wet season in the summer. Some of the biggest land animals live here. Some of the fastest live here, too.

American Grasslands African Grasslands

African elephant

cheetah

zebrahippopotamus

bisonprairie dog

coyote

Temperate Forest

There are different kinds of forest habitats. Some have four seasons each year. One forest habitat

that has four seasons is the temperate forest. A temperate forest has many trees that lose their leaves in fall.

Maple trees lose their leaves in fall.

Another kind of forest habitat has mostly evergreen trees. They do not lose their leaves in fall.

Forest animals are adapted to the change of seasons. For most of the year, they have a good supply

of food. In winter, there is less food. The animals cannot find many leaves, fruits, nuts, and insects. The ground

in cold and may be covered with snow. Some forest animals sleep through most of winter.

great horned owl squirrel

opossum black bear

Rain Forest

Rain forests are very hot and wet habitats. Some rain forests are in South America and Africa.

Plants grow well in rain forests. They grow well because of the heat and rain. Many kids of plants

grow very close together. Tall trees grow above the bushes and vines.

Animals in rain forests are adapted moving through the many plants. Monkeys have long tails and

arms. They can swing from tree to tree. Tree frogs have feet that are like suction cups. They use their feet to

move on the wet plants.

parrotstree frog

ocelot

sloth

boa

Water Habitats

Much of the Earth is covered with water. A water habitat is any place filled water in which plants or

animals live. Fresh water flows in lakes and rivers. Oceans are filled with salt water.

Water animals need oxygen. A few water animals breathe with lungs. Most water animals have gills.

Gills get oxygen from the water.

Many animals in the water move to find food and get away from predators. Other animals are

attached to objects in the water. They get food as it floats past.

sharkkiller whale

octopus

jellyfish

sea urchin

anemone