Animal Homes
Crikey! Every animal has a home that fits it just right.
G'day, mates! I'm Steve, your animal guide. Today we're off on a big trip.
We'll visit five wild homes. We'll meet the amazing animals that live in each one. Then you can play a matching game!
What is a habitat?
A habitat is an animal's home.
It is not just a nest or a den. It is the whole place where the animal lives.
A good habitat gives an animal four big things: food, water, shelter and space. Shelter means a safe place to hide and rest.
Animals have bodies that fit their homes. Thick fur keeps out the cold. Big ears let out heat. Flippers help with swimming. Isn't that beaut?
Five animal homes
The Ocean
The ocean is a huge home of salty water.
- The ocean covers most of our planet. More than 7 out of every 10 parts of Earth's surface are ocean!
- Ocean water is salty. You can't drink it, but fish and whales love it.
Who lives here?
- Blue whale. The blue whale is the biggest animal that has ever lived. Bigger than any dinosaur!
- Sea turtle. A sea turtle swims all day, but it comes up to the top to breathe air.
The Desert
A desert is a very dry place. It gets very little rain.
- A desert gets less than 10 inches of rain in a whole year. Put a whole year of rain in a bucket, and it would not even be as deep as a ruler is long!
- Many deserts are hot in the day. Lots of desert animals rest in the shade or come out at night.
Who lives here?
- Camel. A camel's hump holds fat, not water. The fat is food the camel saves for later.
- Fennec fox. A fennec fox has giant ears. Its ears let out body heat, so the fox stays cool.
The Forest
A forest is a place with lots and lots of trees.
- Trees give forest animals food, shade and safe places to sleep.
- Forest animals live on the ground, in the bushes and high up in the branches.
Who lives here?
- Owl. Most owls hunt at night. They have amazing eyes for seeing in the dark.
- Squirrel. A squirrel climbs trees and gathers nuts and seeds to eat.
The Arctic
The Arctic is the cold, icy land and sea at the very top of the world.
- The Arctic has snow, ice and very cold winters.
- Arctic animals have thick fur or fat to stay warm. No penguins here! Almost all wild penguins live in the south half of the world.
Who lives here?
- Polar bear. Under its white fur, a polar bear has black skin.
- Arctic fox. An Arctic fox can be white in winter and brown or gray in summer. Its coat helps it hide.
The Grassland
A grassland is a big, open place covered in grass, with only a few trees.
- Grasslands get more rain than a desert, but not enough for a big forest.
- Lots of animals eat the grass. Some grasslands in Africa are called savannas.
Who lives here?
- Giraffe. The giraffe is the tallest animal on land. It can peek into a second-floor window!
- Zebra. Every zebra has its very own stripe pattern. No two zebras are the same.
Game: Who Lives Where?
Help each animal get home! First tap an animal. Then tap its home. Match all ten to win. About 3 minutes.
Tap an animal to start.
Score: 0 of 10
Animals
Homes
Be a wildlife warrior!
Animals need their homes, just like you need yours. Here's how you can help:
- Look at wild animals, but don't touch or chase them. Give them space.
- Put trash in the bin. Litter can hurt animals on land and in the sea.
- Leave nests, burrows and logs where you find them.
Every animal matters. That's what a real animal lover does!
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against:
- NOAA Ocean Service: How much water is in the ocean? (the ocean covers more than 70 percent of Earth's surface)
- NOAA Fisheries: Blue Whale (largest animal ever to live on our planet)
- NOAA Fisheries: Sea Turtles (air-breathing reptiles)
- National Geographic Education: Desert (no more than 25 cm / 10 inches of rain a year)
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Camel (humps store fat, not water)
- National Geographic Kids: Fennec Fox (ears radiate body heat; nocturnal)
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Owl (most owls are nocturnal)
- National Geographic Kids: Polar Bear (black skin under the fur)
- National Geographic Kids: Arctic Fox (coat color depends on the time of year)
- NOAA Ocean Service: Can penguins fly? (all penguins live in the Southern Hemisphere)
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Giraffe (tallest land animal; second-story window)
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Zebra (each zebra's stripes are unique)
Credits: Words, drawings and game by Steve for Jugami Animals. All pictures are original hand-drawn SVG. No ads, no tracking, and nothing you tap is saved or sent anywhere.