Learn about animal homes

The environment in which an animal lives (its habitat) must provide water, food, shelter, and space. Its home must also make the animal feel protected from predators, harsh weather, and other threats.

Animal homes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be found from the deepest depths of the ocean to the very top of a mountain. Some animal homes are easy to see, while others are camouflaged to protect them from predators. The structure of an animal’s home depends on the type of animal, the environment it lives in, and what it needs to survive. Some homes are for just one animal or for a mother and her babies. Other homes are for a large group of animals to all live together.

Animal homes serve a variety of purposes. Many animals design their homes to trap heat in and keep the cold out, especially when there are babies living in the home, since baby animals cannot keep themselves warm like their parents can. Nests, dens, and burrows are examples of this type of home.

How to Apply It at Home If you have a pet, use it as an example to discuss with children what animals need in order to have a home. Talk about an animal’s need for shelter and fresh food and water. If you use wood shavings or sawdust as bedding for your pet, discuss how it makes a soft place for him to sleep, keeps him warm, and can be changed to help keep the pet’s home clean.

There are many different types of animal homes. Here are some of the most common ones and the animals that use them. Barns and Houses – Domesticated animals are ones that live with humans. You may have a few domesticated animals living with you right now! 

The most common animals that live in houses are dogs and cats. Some animals that live with humans are too big or too messy to live in a house. Animals like horses, cows, goats, sheep, and pigs can be pets, but they usually live in barns.

Webs – Spiders spin webs to live in. Webs are also perfect traps for catching insects for spiders to eat. Hives – Bees, wasps, and yellow jackets make wax inside their bodies, and then they use the wax to build homes called hives.