What do Animals Need to Survive?
Learning text on the topic What do Animals Need to Survive?
What Do Animals Need to Survive?
Have you ever wondered what animals need to live and grow? Animals, including humans, have some basic needs that must be met for them to be healthy and happy. In this text, we'll learn about these important needs and how they help animals survive.
Understanding Animal Needs
Basic needs of animals are the things animals must have to stay alive.
Animals need certain things to survive. These needs are food, water, shelter, and the right environment to live in. Each type of animal has different needs depending on where they live and what kind of animal they are.
Understanding what animals need helps us take better care of them. It helps us protect wild animals and ensure pets are healthy and happy. Knowing their needs also helps us understand how animals live and survive in different environments.
Animal Needs – Food
Food is important for animals because it gives them energy to move, grow, and stay healthy. Different animals eat different kinds of food. Below, we will explore different kinds of diets that some animals have.
Herbivores
Herbivores are animals that eat plants. They eat leaves, grass, fruits, and vegetables.
Examples of herbivores:
- Cows
- Deer
- Rabbits
Carnivores
Carnivores are animals that eat mainly other animals. They hunt and eat meat to get their energy.
Examples of carnivores:
- Lions
- Eagles
- Sharks
Omnivores
Omnivores are animals that eat both plants and animals. They have a mixed diet, which gives them the energy they need to be healthy and survive.
Examples of omnivores:
- Bears
- Humans
- Pigs
Because humans are also classified as animals, they can be herbivores, carnivores or omnivores based on the choice of their diet.
Animal Needs –Water
Water is important for all living things, and this includes animals. Animals need water to stay hydrated and to help their bodies work properly.
When an animal has enough water in its body, they are hydrated.
Why water is important because:
- It helps animals stay cool.
- It helps animals digest their food.
- It keeps their bodies clean.
Animal Needs –Shelter and Habitats
A shelter is a place where animals can rest, stay safe, and protect themselves from bad weather. Shelters can be very different depending on where an animal lives.
Natural habitats are the places where animals live in the wild. These can be forests, deserts, oceans, or grasslands.
Natural habitat is the natural home of an animal.
| Type of Habitat | Example Animal |
|---|---|
| Forests | Deer |
| Oceans | Dolphins |
| Deserts | Camels |
| Grasslands | Elephants |
| Mountains | Mountain Goats |
| Wetlands | Frogs |
| Arctic Regions | Polar Bears |
| Rivers | Otters |
Artificial habitats are places made by humans where animals live. These can be zoos, farms, or aquariums.
Artificial habitats are places made by humans for animals to live.
| Type of Artificial Habitat | Example Animal |
|---|---|
| Zoos | Lions |
| Farms | Cows |
| Aquariums | Fish |
| Wildlife Reserves | Elephants |
| Pet Shelters | Dogs and Cats |
Animal Needs Experiment
Let's explore how animals meet their basic needs with a simple experiment!
Animal Needs –Quiz
Let's see what you have learned today!
Animal Needs: Summary
Key Learnings from this Text:
- Animals need food, water, and shelter to survive.
- Different animals eat different kinds of food: plants (herbivores), other animals (carnivores), or both (omnivores).
- Water is crucial for animals to stay hydrated and healthy.
- Shelters help animals stay safe and comfortable.
Now that you know what animals need to survive, you can better understand how important it is to take care of animals and their habitats! If you enjoyed learning about what animals need to survive, then check out the learning text on How do animals change their environment? .
Animal Needs –Frequently Asked Questions
What do Animals Need to Survive? exercise
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What do animals need to live and grow?
HintsThink about what you need when you're hungry.
What gives animals energy to move around?
SolutionAnimals need shelter, water and food to survive.
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A natural habitat is the natural home of an animal.
HintsForests and oceans are natural places where animals live in the wild.
The ocean is the natural home of dolphins.
SolutionIt's true that a natural habitat is the natural home of an animal.
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Why do animals need to drink water?
HintsWithout water, animals can get sick.
Animals can't live without water.
SolutionAll animals need water to stay hydrated and healthy.
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Different animals eat different kinds of food.
HintsHerbivores are animals that only eat plants.
Some animals only eat other animals. They hunt and catch their food.
Humans and bears are both omnivores.
SolutionCows are herbivores and they eat plants.
Lions are carnivores and they eat other animals.
Humans are omnivores and they eat plants and animals. Some humans choose not to eat animals.
Bears are omnivores and they eat plants and animals.
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All animals need a place to live.
HintsIt's something that gives them a place to rest.
Think about where you feel safe and comfortable.
SolutionA shelter helps animals stay safe and comfortable.
You live in a house or apartment to stay safe and comfortable too.
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Imagine you are creating a home for a pet.
HintsWhere will the pet sleep?
Think about what pets eat.
SolutionYou need to make sure your pet has water, food, shelter and safety in your home.
