Many different plants and animals

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1 Many different plants and animals Name: A plant or animals natural home is called its habitat. There are many different plants and animals living in different habitats on Earth. Within each habitat, there are animals and plants that are adapted to their habitat. Different kinds of habitats: There are different kinds of habitats, such as a grassland, forest, river, sea, desert and polar. Each habitat has a different combination of plants, animals and climate. Forest habitats The plants are mainly trees. Forests are places with lots of shelter shade, hiding places and protection. Monkeys and birds like to live in forests because the trees give them places to make safe homes. Grassland habitats The plants are mainly grasses with a few trees. Grasslands are big open spaces for big herds of grazing animals. Zebra and buck live in grasslands because they provide them with grass to eat. River habitats Have fresh water and are home to land and water animals. Example: crocodiles, frogs, fish etc. Sea habitats The sea has salt water and is home to many different marine mammals such as seals, dolphins and penguins who live in these habitats.

2 Polar habitats These are very cold and are covered with thick snow and ice. Polar bears live here. Hardly any plants survive in cold polar habitats. ACTIVITY 1 Look at the pictures of the animals below. Desert habitats A desert is a place that has very little water. Only a few plants like a cactus can survive in such hot conditions. Animals such as camels, snakes and scorpions live in these habitats. Polar bear camel dolphin gorilla Parrot meerkat frog lion 1. Match each animal to its habitat. Why does each animal live where it does?

3 Animal Habitat Reason Grassland Forest River Sea Desert Polar BIODIVERSITY We use the term biodiversity to describe all the different plants and animals in a habitat. South Africa has a variety of indigenous plants and animals. Some indigenous plants of South Africa are: Baobab trees Aloe Camel thorn trees Well-known indigenous plants include those of the fynbos and the Namaqualand daisies. Fynbos is only found in the Western Cape and includes proteas. The King Protea is the national flower of South Africa. Namaqualand daisies grow in the Northern Cape and attract many visitors when they flower in spring. INDIGENOUS: belonging naturally in a particular place or habitat

4 ACTIVITY 2 Look at the picture below Did you know The South African National Cricket team is known as the Proteas 1. What is the above picture known as? 2. Where would you find this picture? 3. What is the meaning of!ke E: /XARRA //KE? 4. Identify the plant that is shown in the centre. 5. In which province is this plant found?

5 South Africa s Big Five South Africa is famous for its large mammals called the Big Five. The Big 5 are: Lion Buffalo Elephant Leopard Rhino South Africa also has the Small Five. They share part of their names with the Big 5 animals. They are: Elephant shrew Ant lion Buffalo weaver Rhinoceros beetle Leopard tortoise

6 ACTIVITY 3 You will find illustrations of the Big 5 on our South African bank notes. Complete the table below. Note R10 R20 R50 R100 R200 Big 5 animal Herbivore/carnivore/ omnivore Research the Small Five and complete the table. Browser/grazer/ none Animal Type of animal What it eats Habitat Elephant shrew Rhinoceros beetle Habitat Ant lion Buffalo weaver Leopard tortoise