A gray Squirrel spirals up a tree. A bell rings and children run out a door, laughing. Birds chirp a loud alarm. Your schoolyard is a habitat, or home, for plants and animals. A habitat is any place that provides water, enough food of the right kind, and a safe place to live and raise a family.
Habitats can be big areas such as oceans and forests.
Understanding a habitat means doing active research. Listen and look for clues such as animal tracks. Then make an educated guess. Trees provide hiding places for animals. The bark and the shape of the leaves can help you identify the tree.