How do animals survive?
Animals come in all shapes and sizes. They live in all sorts of different places. But they all need the same important things to survive:
- water
- air
- shelter
- food
Watch: How animals survive.
Discover the different ways that animals get water, air, food and shelter.
Animals need air, water, shelter and food to survive.
Our lungs bring in oxygen and remove carbon dioxide. But other animals breathe in all sorts of different ways.
Fish use gills to get their oxygen, like sharks.
Animals like worms breathe right through their skin!
All animals need to drink water to stay alive; it breaks down their food and helps their brains work properly.
Fish absorb water through their skin.
Elephants suck the water into their trunks, then pour it into their mouths.
Some animals hunt for their food.
Some animals, like pets, are provided with food.
Some animals graze for their food.
Some animals gather their food.
Some animals, like vultures, scavenge for their food.
Some animals, find shelter within their own shells.
And some animals live in shelter underground. These are called Burrows.
If animals, including us humans, don't have one or all of these things, they will die.
What do animals need to survive?
Have a look at these animals and learn about what they need.
Image caption, All animals need water.
Some animals need more water than others to survive.
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Activities
Test your knowledge of how animals survive with the activities below.
Activity 1: How animals survive quiz
Activity 2: Comparing animals
Choose two animals from a different parts of the planet. For example, a kangaroo and a polar bear.
Find out where they get their water and food from.
Could these animals switch places in the world?
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