Polar Habitats

1.

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
polar bear
penguin
musk ox
walrus
seal

2.

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
ostrich
jack rabbit
cactus wren
camel

3.

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
bison
African Grasslands
African elephant
prairie dog
cheetah
coyote
hippopotamus
zebra

4.

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
opossum
squirrel
black bear

5.

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.
parrots
tree frog
sloth
ocelot
boa

6.

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.
shark
killer whale
sea urchin
octopus
jellyfish
anemone