Polar Habitats Some parts of the world are very cold. These cold places near

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

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

camel

ostrich

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

zebra

hippopotamus

bison

prairie dog

coyote

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 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

ocelot

sloth

boa

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

octopus

jellyfish

sea urchin

anemone