Rainforest, Tundra, and Desert

What are three world biomes?

Read the information below about three of Earth's biomes, and write the answers to the questions in your Main Lesson Book.

1. In this lesson, you will learn about three of Earth's biomes: rainforest, desert, and tundra. Look at a world map or a globe, and find an area where you might find each of these biomes. (For example, you might find rainforest regions in South America.)

a. Beginning with the desert, think about what you might see there. The desert is very dry and hot during the day. What kinds of plants might you see there? For example, you might see cacti. What animals might you see? You might see snakes, for instance. In the desert, many of the animals live close to the ground, where they can burrow in the sand. Why do you think these animals adapted that way? (Answer: Burrowing allows these animals to protect themselves from the hot sun, wind, and predators.)

b. Next, think about the tundra, which has a very different climate than the desert. The tundra is cold and treeless, with frozen soil and snow. Lichens and mosses do grow there, though, and animals such as polar bears live there. Polar bears have thick, white fur. Why do you think polar bears have adapted that way? (Answer: The thickness of the fur provides warmth from the cold, and the whiteness of the fur helps them blend in with the landscape, which provides protection and helps them hunt.)

c. The rainforest has a very different climate, too. These areas are wet and warm, and they are home to a variety of plants and animals. What kinds of plants and animals might you see there? For example, there are spider monkeys, which climb trees like the wind! How might that climbing ability help spider monkeys in the rainforest? (Answer: Climbing helps them escape predators.)