Staying safe and living on
Every kind of animal, called a species, has special ways to stay alive and to protect its young. These ways help the species survive so it does not become extinct (die out completely).
Key idea
Animals survive by protecting themselves from enemies and by caring for their young. Animals that lay many eggs help make sure some babies will live.
Clever ways to survive
Different animals use different tricks. Some hide, some run fast, and some look scary to frighten enemies away.
- A tortoise hides inside its hard shell.
- A chameleon changes colour to blend in.
- A mother hen keeps her chicks close and warm.
- A fish lays many eggs so some will survive.
Some animals travel together in a big group, like a herd of deer, because many eyes can spot an enemy faster. Others come out only at night when it is safer to look for food. Each of these behaviours helps the species stay alive and pass life on to the next baby animals.
Remember
- If too many animals of one kind are killed, the species can become extinct.
- Protecting animals and their homes is called conservation.