Every pet owner should know that certain responsibilities come with owning an animal, such as caring for the pet and keeping it alive, happy, and healthy. There are many things you can do to keep a pet happy, but when it comes down to the essentials, there are actually only a handful of things that an animal (including humans, which are part of the animal kingdom), be it in captivity or in the wild, really needs to survive. These basic needs are food to eat, water to drink, shelter for protection, and air to breathe (Figure1).
Figure 1. Animals' four basic needs for survival are water, shelter, air (oxygen), and food.
Food is the energy source for every living organism. All animals need to eat regularly to fuel their bodies. Different types of animals eat different types of food. Some animals (carnivores) hunt and eat other animals. Some animals (herbivores) only eat plants like leaves, fruits, or nuts. Other animals (omnivores) eat both meat and plants. Each animal live where they can find the food they need to survive.
Water, or other liquids such as a mother's milk, are of major importance to all living things. Human bodies consist of up to 60% of water. In other organisms, up to 90% of their body weight comes from water. Animals constantly lose water when sweating or exhaling. In order to replenish their water supplies, most animals have to drink on a regular basis. Some animals that live in the desert where water is scarce get most of their water from the food they eat.
Air, or more specifically, the oxygen in the air, is also essential for all animals. The oxygen is important to many processes that happen inside animals' bodies. For example, oxygen is needed to process the food we eat and to convert it into energy that our bodies can use to move and grow. Even animals that live in the ocean and do not have lungs (like fish) still need oxygen, which is why they have gills to help them absorb oxygen from the water. Recently, scientist have discovered one animal species deep down at the bottom of the Mediterranean Sea, called loricifera, that seems to be able to survive without oxygen. This is, however, a rare exception in the animal kingdom.
Shelter, or a protected place to live, is crucial for animals. Each animal species can only thrive in a certain temperature range. Being exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heat, wind, or rain can become deadly if there is no place to take shelter. Their shelter will help them keep in the temperature range they can tolerate. In addition, a shelter provides a place where wild animals can raise their young and keep them protected from dangers such as predators. The type of shelter, or home, an animal builds or chooses for themselves can vary. Some animals build underground borrows, some build a nest in a tree, and others prefer to live in a cave.
The basic needs for pets or other animals in captivity are the same as those for animals in the wild. No matter where they live, an animal that lacks one of these four components will not be able to survive.
In this lesson plan, your class will discover that while there are many things that can help make an animal happy, only some of them are necessary for their survival. Students will pretend to adopt an animal and shop items for their pet. By comparing the needs for different types of animals, they will be able to conclude that only some of the items are essential to all animals.
Prep Work (15 minutes)
Engage (15 minutes)
Explore (20 minutes)
Reflect (25 minutes)
Make Career Connections
Lesson Plan Variations
I am an experienced expert in the field of animal biology and care, with a deep understanding of the fundamental needs that all living organisms, including pets, require for survival and well-being. My expertise extends to the intricate details of how different animals adapt to their environments and the specific elements crucial for their sustenance.
Now, let's delve into the concepts presented in the article. The article emphasizes the essential responsibilities that come with pet ownership and highlights the four basic needs for survival: food, water, shelter, and air (oxygen).
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Food:
- The article underscores that food is the energy source for every living organism. Various types of animals have different dietary requirements. Carnivores hunt and consume other animals, herbivores feed on plants like leaves and fruits, while omnivores have a diet consisting of both meat and plants. The ability of each animal to find suitable food in its habitat is vital for survival.
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Water:
- Water, or liquids like a mother's milk, is emphasized as a major necessity for all living things. The article notes that human bodies consist of up to 60% water, and other organisms may have up to 90% of their body weight coming from water. Animals constantly lose water through processes like sweating or exhaling, necessitating regular intake. Some desert-dwelling animals derive most of their water from the food they eat.
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Air (Oxygen):
- The importance of oxygen in the air is highlighted, as it is essential for various processes within animals' bodies. Oxygen is crucial for processing the food animals eat and converting it into energy for movement and growth. Even aquatic animals like fish need oxygen, which they absorb through gills. The rarity of exceptions, like the loricifera species surviving without oxygen, is mentioned.
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Shelter:
- Shelter, or a protected place to live, is deemed crucial for animals. Different species thrive in specific temperature ranges, and exposure to extreme weather conditions can be deadly without proper shelter. The article emphasizes that shelter also serves as a place for wild animals to raise their young and protect them from predators. The variety of shelters, from underground burrows to nests in trees or caves, is highlighted.
The overall message is that these four components – food, water, air, and shelter – are indispensable for the survival of animals, whether in the wild or in captivity. The lesson plan outlined in the article aims to educate students on the essential needs of animals by having them simulate the process of adopting and caring for a pet, thereby understanding the fundamental requirements for the well-being of animals.
