The Survival of Living Things Focus Question What

The Survival of Living Things Focus Question: What are the basic needs of all living things?

The ABCs of Survival n environment – everything, both living & nonliving, that surrounds and affects an organism n Basic Needs: n food (or sunlight to make food) n shelter n water n proper temperature

Food n All living things need food to survive. n Some animals need food daily, others weekly. n Animals change the food they eat based on needs (ex: winter eat bark)

Water n Many animals drink water every day from water holes, ponds, lakes, rivers, & streams. n Few animals rarely drink because they get their water from seeds, leaves, or pulp of a plant. (Ex: Koalas never drink. )

Shelter n Animals need protection from enemies and weather. n Some animals with exoskeletons (ex: turtles) carry their shelter with them.

Proper Temperature n Animals need to live where their body temperature can be kept within a certain range. n Too hot – find shade (ex: mammals) n Too cold – lie in sun (ex: reptiles)

The African Savanna n grassland n wide-open area n found in tropical climates n few bushes or trees n covers almost ½ of Africa

Savannas Around the World

Food, Water, & Shelter n eat grasses, leaves & other animals n drink from water holes or rivers n live in holes in ground, nests in trees, etc.

Food Web/Chain n secondary consumers (carnivores – meat eaters) n primary consumers (herbivores – plant eaters) n producers – plants