Plants and animals in the local environment

1. Habitats
A habitat is a place where a collection of plants and animals live and which provides them with food and shelter. Seashores, gardens and ponds are all examples of habitats. Habitats can be big (a jungle, for example) or small (a leaf, for example).
The animals and plants living in a woodland habitat, for example, might include owls, thrushes, caterpillars and oak trees.

The animals and plants in one habitat are suited to live there and may not be able to survive in other habitats. A woodland owl, for example, would not survive in a desert habitat.
When a habitat changes, the animals and plants that live there are affected. For example, when pond weed is removed from a pond, the fish and snails that rely on the pond weed for food may find it hard to survive.

2. How plants and animals adapt
Animals and plants are adapted to their habitats. This means that they have special features that help them to survive.
An African elephant, for example, lives in a hot habitat and has very large ears that it flaps to keep cool. A polar bear, on the other hand, lives in a cold habitat and has thick fur to keep warm.
Here are some plants and animals that have adapted to living in a pond habitat.