Question
Classify habitats into terrestrial and aquatic types. Give two examples of each and mention one adaptation of organisms living there.
(CBSE Class 6 Science)
Solution — Step by Step
A habitat is the natural home of an organism — the place where it lives and gets food, shelter, and mates. Every habitat has specific conditions (temperature, water, sunlight) that organisms adapt to.
| Habitat | Examples | Key adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | Camel, cactus | Camel stores fat in hump; cactus has spines instead of leaves to reduce water loss |
| Forest | Deer, monkey | Monkeys have long tails for balance on trees |
| Grassland | Lion, zebra | Long legs for fast running on open ground |
| Mountain | Yak, snow leopard | Yak has thick fur to survive extreme cold |
| Habitat | Examples | Key adaptation |
|---|---|---|
| Freshwater (ponds, rivers) | Fish, frog | Fish have gills for breathing in water; streamlined body for swimming |
| Marine (sea, ocean) | Whale, octopus | Whales have blubber (thick fat layer) for insulation in cold water |
| Coastal | Crab, mangrove tree | Mangroves have breathing roots that stick out above water |
Habitat Classification Tree
flowchart TD
A["Habitats"] --> B["Terrestrial — on land"]
A --> C["Aquatic — in water"]
B --> B1["Desert — hot, dry"]
B --> B2["Forest — trees, shade"]
B --> B3["Grassland — open, windy"]
B --> B4["Mountain — cold, high altitude"]
C --> C1["Freshwater — ponds, rivers, lakes"]
C --> C2["Marine — seas, oceans"]
C --> C3["Coastal — where land meets sea"]Why This Works
Organisms survive in their habitat because of adaptations — special features of their body or behaviour that help them fit their environment. A fish cannot survive in a desert, and a camel cannot survive in the ocean, because each is adapted to its own habitat.
Adaptations develop over thousands of generations through natural selection. Organisms with features that suit their habitat survive and reproduce, passing those features to their young.
Common Mistake
Students often forget that aquatic habitats are not just oceans. Ponds, rivers, lakes, and even puddles are aquatic habitats. Similarly, terrestrial habitats include more than just forests — deserts, grasslands, and mountains are all terrestrial. When the exam asks for “two examples of terrestrial habitats,” do not write the same type twice (like “forest and jungle” — those are the same thing).