What Animals Need
📖 Learn
All animals need certain things to live and be healthy. Just like you, animals need food, water, air, and a safe place to live!
What Do All Animals Need?
Every animal in the world needs four basic things to survive:
- Food - for energy to move, grow, and stay healthy
- Water - to drink and keep their bodies working
- Air - to breathe (oxygen)
- Shelter - a safe place to live and stay protected
Key Words to Know
- Animal: A living thing that can move, eat food, and breathe
- Survive: To stay alive
- Shelter: A safe place where an animal lives (like a nest, den, or burrow)
- Prey: Animals that are eaten by other animals
- Predator: Animals that hunt and eat other animals
Different Animals, Different Foods
Animals eat different types of food:
- Herbivores: Animals that eat only plants (rabbits, deer, cows)
- Carnivores: Animals that eat only meat (lions, hawks, sharks)
- Omnivores: Animals that eat both plants and meat (bears, pigs, humans)
💡 Examples
Let's look at what different animals need to survive.
Example 1: A Dog's Needs
Dogs are pets that need care from people.
- Food: Dog food with meat and other ingredients
- Water: Fresh water in a bowl every day
- Air: Dogs breathe the same air we do
- Shelter: A house, dog bed, or warm place to sleep
Example 2: A Fish's Needs
Fish live in water and have special needs.
- Food: Fish food, smaller fish, or plants in the water
- Water: Fish live IN water - they need clean water
- Air: Fish use gills to get oxygen from the water
- Shelter: Rocks, plants, coral, or caves in the water
Example 3: A Bird's Needs
Birds live in trees, in the sky, and on the ground.
- Food: Seeds, worms, insects, or berries
- Water: Puddles, birdbaths, streams
- Air: Birds breathe air through lungs
- Shelter: Nests in trees or bushes
Example 4: A Rabbit's Needs
Rabbits are herbivores that eat plants.
- Food: Grass, vegetables, hay, and leafy plants
- Water: Fresh water to drink
- Air: Rabbits breathe air
- Shelter: Burrows underground or a hutch
Example 5: A Bear's Needs
Bears are large wild animals that are omnivores.
- Food: Fish, berries, honey, insects, and plants
- Water: Rivers, lakes, and streams
- Air: Bears breathe air through lungs
- Shelter: Caves or dens for sleeping and hibernating
✏️ Practice
Answer these questions about what animals need.
Problem 1
Name the four things all animals need to survive.
Show Answer
Food, water, air, and shelter.
Problem 2
Why do animals need food?
Show Answer
Animals need food for energy to move, grow, and stay healthy.
Problem 3
What is an animal that only eats plants called?
Show Answer
A herbivore.
Problem 4
What is an animal that eats meat called?
Show Answer
A carnivore.
Problem 5
How do fish get the air (oxygen) they need?
Show Answer
Fish use gills to get oxygen from the water.
Problem 6
What is shelter?
Show Answer
Shelter is a safe place where an animal lives, like a nest, den, burrow, or cave.
Problem 7
What kind of shelter does a bird have?
Show Answer
Birds build nests in trees or bushes.
Problem 8
Is a rabbit a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?
Show Answer
A rabbit is a herbivore - it only eats plants.
Problem 9
Is a bear a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore?
Show Answer
A bear is an omnivore - it eats both plants and meat.
Problem 10
What would happen to an animal without water?
Show Answer
Without water, an animal would get sick and could not survive. All living things need water.
✅ Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to see what you learned.
Question 1
How are animal needs similar to what people need?
Show Answer
Animals and people both need food, water, air, and shelter to survive. We all need the same basic things!
Question 2
Think of your favorite animal. What does it eat?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Think about whether your animal is a herbivore, carnivore, or omnivore!
Question 3
If you have a pet, how do you help it get what it needs?
Show Answer
Answers will vary. Pets need food, water, air, and shelter. We give them food and water, and provide a safe home for them.
Question 4
Why do wild animals need shelter?
Show Answer
Wild animals need shelter to stay safe from predators, bad weather, and to raise their babies.
🚀 Next Steps
- Watch animals in your yard or at the park - what are they eating?
- Draw a picture of an animal and its shelter
- If you have a pet, help take care of it by giving it food and water
- Return to Plants and Animals Unit to review