Animal Habitats: Types, Characteristics & Examples

A habitat is a place that supports the survival of animals. Many physical and biological factors play a very important role in deciding an animal's habitat. Physical factors include temperature, light, and soil moisture. Animal habitat is a topic in Biology from chapter The Living World and they carry a weightage of 2-3% in NEET and 4% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is a Habitat?
2. What are the Types of Habitats?
3. Animal Habitat Protection

What is a Habitat?

Habitat is defined as the region which is made up of biotic, abiotic and other factors that support the reproduction and survival of particular species. These are the natural environments where organisms make their home. The basic feature of the habitat is discussed below:

• Organisms develop special traits to survive under habitat conditions. This entire process happens during evolution.

• Habitat loss of an organism is due to human activities which threaten species survival. This also needs the extinction of the organism.

• Habitats are classified into two classes which are terrestrial and aquatic. These classes also have different sub-classes divided into them.

• The evolution of an organism due to its habitat develops different conditions like fish using gills to breathe in water.

What are the Types of Habitats?

There are mainly two types of habitats. These are terrestrial habitats and aquatic habitats.

• Aquatic habitats again are of two types: freshwater habitat and marine water habitat.

• Terrestrial habitats include forests, deserts, grasslands, wetlands, ice caps etc whereas aquatic habitats include rivers, lakes, streams etc.

Terrestrial Habitats

Terrestrial habitats are habitats that are found on land throughout the world. Terrestrial habitats include all types of land habitats. This includes both natural as well as man-made habitats. Some of the terrestrial habitats are described below:

*Wetlands are transitional areas between aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and can support both aquatic and terrestrial species.

Aquatic Habitat

Habitats that thrive in water are classified as aquatic habitats. There are two important kinds of aquatic habitats: freshwater habitat and marine water habitat.

Freshwater habitat

Freshwater habitats include rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, etc. Freshwater comprises only 3% of the world's water.

• Rivers and streams

Animals such as dolphins, river turtles and American crocodiles live in this type of freshwater habitat. These animals require a special type of adaptive feature to cope with the water flowing continuously in the same direction.

• Lakes

Salmon, trout, common toads, and greater flamingos are some of the species of animals living here. Lakes are the most favourable places for a wide range of animal species.

Marine water habitat

As we all know more than 70% of the space on Earth is covered by Oceans. These habitats are divided into 2 types. These are discussed below:

• Deep ocean

It is the bottom or deepest region of the ocean where sunlight does not enter. This region does not support a normal food chain or food web. Examples: ray-finned fish, angler fish, and lobe-finned fish.

• Open ocean

It includes the uppermost layer of the ocean. It is also known as the marine desert. Because like a desert here also lacks important nutrients to support life. Blue whales, harbour porpoises, and narwhals are some of the animals that live here.

Animal Habitat Protection

So, there is an immediate need to protect and safeguard the habitats of both plants and animals. Many countries including India have passed legislation to protect these habitats.

• Protecting habitat is as important as it helps in maintaining species diversity.

• It helps stop pollution and land conservation for agriculture and organization.

• National parks, Wildlife Reserves, and Marine sanctuaries help protect habitats from human activities.

• Reforestation wetland Restoration and population cleanup also help in restoring the natural habitat and supporting wildlife conservation.

Animal Habitat Requirements

"FWSS: Food, Water, Shelter, Space"

• F: Food

• W: Water

• S: Shelter

• S: Space

Threats to Animal Habitats

"CHIP: Climate Change, Habitat Loss, Invasive Species, Pollution"

• C: Climate Change

• H: Habitat Loss

• I: Invasive Species

• P: Pollution

Adaptations to Animal Habitats

"CSA: Camouflage, Specialized, Adaptability"

• C: Camouflage

• S: Specialized traits

• A: Adaptability

Animal Habitat Conservation Strategies

"PREP: Protect, Restore, Educate, Preserve"

• P: Protect

• R: Restore

• E: Educate

• P: Preserve

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