Science - Year 3/4B Spring 1 Living Things and their Habitats Habitat Helpers Session 2 Teaching PowerPoint © Original resource copyright Hamilton Trust, who give permission for it to be adapted as wished by individual users. We refer you to our warning, at the foot of the block overview, about links to other websites.

Polar bears live in the Arctic which is a large area in the most northerly part of the Earth. It is covered in ice and snow Polar bears are very well suited to their habitat. Can you think how?

Here are some ways you may have thought of: They have a thick layer of fur to keep them warm in the cold climate Their paws are large to stop them sinking into snow They are strong and powerful for running and swimming to catch their prey Their coat is oily so the water runs off it quickly when they come out of the sea Their white colour gives them good camouflage against the snow and ice Their ears are small to stop them losing too much heat They have sharp teeth and powerful jaws because they are carnivores (meat eaters)

All these things make a polar bear perfectly suited to its icy cold habitat Water resistant Warm Camouflaged sharp Powerful Non slip These features are called adaptations. Over many thousands of years polar bears have become perfectly adapted to survive in the Arctic.

It is not just animals that are adapted to live in a particular habitat. Plants have adaptations too! This cactus is adapted to live in the hot, dry desert of Arizona in North America. There is very little rainfall here so most plants could not survive. Can you think of any ways this cactus is adapted to live in here?

Here are some of the ways it is adapted: It has a huge root system underground so it can reach water from deep down and over a large area It can store water in its fat, fleshy stems Plants lose water through their leaves so this cactus has no leaves. This helps it save water It has sharp spikes to protect it from being eaten by hungry and thirsty desert creatures

Every plant or animal you can think of is adapted for life in its own habitat. The adaptations help it survive so it can reproduce (have babies) and so that species can continue into the future.

But sometimes a habitat can change, and this can be very bad news for the plants and animals that are adapted to live there Occasionally a habitat can change because of something natural like a volcano erupting But other times, habitats change because of humans

! This is why so many plants and animals need our help! Luckily, you are becoming Habitat Helpers! You will learn about different habitats and ecosystems, so you can teach people what they can do to help protect the world and all its living things