Activity: Habitat Match
Ideal Group Size
Small to mid-size (up to
30)
Theme: Animals
Grade Level
Set Up/Clean Up Time
Activity Time
Pre-K-6
1 min / 1 min
5-10 minutes
Math/science questions addressed: How are animals adapted to different habitats?
Overview: Participants use pictures and maps to explore different physical and behavioral adaptations that
animals in Washington state use to survive.
Materials: 5 habitat match kits, each including: 1 map, 6 animal pictures, 13 adaptation cards
To do:
1. Divide participants into small groups – there are enough materials for up to 5 groups.
2. Begin with the map of Washington state with the 3 example habitats. Ask participants to name 2 or 3
characteristics of each habitat (for example, the high desert is hot and dry; the mountains are cold and
snowy).
3. Next, move on to the pictures of animals, asking participants to identify different animals. Have them
try to match the animal with the habitat on the map.
4. Have the participants try to match the names of adaptations to the different animals, thinking about
which adaptations would be most appropriate and useful for each habitat (for example: webbed feet for
swimming in water, large feet for walking in deep snow).
Ask: Can any of these animals live in multiple habitats?
Ask: What are the ways that humans adapt to these different habitats?
Key:
Animal
Jackrabbit
Washington ground
squirrel
Snowshoe hare
Black bear
Beaver
River otter
Habitat
High desert
High desert
mountain
any
River/creek
River/creek
Adaptation #1
Large ears
Estivation (similar to
hibernation)
Large feet
Hibernation
Webbed feet
Webbed feet
Adaptation #2
Nocturnal
Lives underground
Furry feet
Water-resistant hairs
Water-resistant hairs
Explain: This activity uses examples of adaptations for heat, snow, cold and water. Large ears are an
important way of getting rid of excess body heat (elephants are a great example). Large feet increase the area
of an animal’s weight distribution, allowing it to move around on top of snow without sinking. Furry feet help
animals from losing too much body heat to the snow.
Hibernation and estivation (see background) are periods of dormancy during harsher times of the year—
hibernation to avoid snowy, cold winters and estivation to avoid hot, dry summers. Webbed feet help animals
move more swiftly through the water. Being active at night (nocturnal) and living underground are adaptations
to deal with heat. It’s generally cooler at night and underground.
Activity extensions: for older participants
A) Have participants make a list of animals and adaptations from an African savanna, making sure that
they can name at least one adaptation for each animal.
B) Ask participants to think about the ways that they adapt to changes in the weather. How do they dress
when it’s cold? When it’s hot? What’s fun to do on a hot sunny day versus a cold rainy day?
C) Why else might animals have big ears? (To hear predators)
These 2014 Summer Learning science activities were developed by Pacific Science Center