Habitat study sheet
Describe the various habitats of Georgia.
Mountain:
The mountain region is northern most in Georgia and is characterized
by colder weather than Georgia’s other regions.
The land is elevated and has poor soil for farming
The mountains are covered with forests with many trees that shed
leaves in the colder months.
Animals include black bears, whitetail deer, raccoons, bobcats, trout,
and opossums.
Plants include mountain laurels, pine trees, magnolia trees, and the
Cherokee rose.
The plants and animals are adapted for colder weather and living in
vast forest regions.
What are the features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in
the mountain region?
Thick fur to survive cold winters
Thick padded feet to travel over uneven land
Animals can migrate during winter months when food is scarce
(hibernation)
Depend on trees for habitats (birds like woodpeckers)
Piedmont
The piedmont region is just south of the mountain region and includes
the Gwinnett county.
The land is noted for its red soil and rolling hills.
Piedmont region is the most populated of Georg’s regions.
Some animals include wild turkey, raccoons, squirrels, and deer.
Plants include kudzu, pine trees, and dogwood trees
Plants and animals are adapted to live in hot and cold weather.
Features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in Piedmont
region:
Claws or talons for hunting prey
Fur to survive winters
Tails used for communicating
Move quickly to capture prey or evade predators
Body covering allows animals to survive in hot and cold conditions.
Coastal Plain
The coastal plain region is located south of the piedmont region. This is the largest
region in Georgia.
The land is flat with loamy soil ( good for farming) and sandy soil ( near the ocean).
Most of Georgia’s farms and crops are in this region.
Animals include the brown thrashers, wild hogs, deer, gopher tortoises, and sea
gulls.
Plants include crops like peanuts, peaches, and cotton.
Live oak trees, Spanish moss, and saw palmettos also live here.
Plants and animals thrive in an environment with flat land hot climate.
Features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in the Coastal Plain:
Webbed feet for walking in sand along coast
Birds have long legs
Thin coats/skin to survive harsh hot conditions
Claws to dig in loamy or sandy soil or evade predators
Animals can migrate over large areas for food or shelter
Marsh/Swamp
The marsh/swamp region is located in the southeast corner of Georgia.
The swamp is known as the Okefenokee.
The climate is hot, wet, and humid year round.
The land and soil is very soft.
Animals in this region include snakes, alligators, snapping turtles, deer, tall wading
birds ( like herons and storks), and bull frogs.
Some plants include cypress trees, Spanish moss, water lilies, and pitcher plants.
The plants and animals thrive in an environment with hot and wet weather.
Many animals are adapted to live in and out of water.
Features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in the Marsh/Swamp
Birds have long legs and long beaks
Waterproof skin
Animals can live in both water and land
Webbed feet for moving in water
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean touches the southeast corner of Georgia.
Some animals in this region include shrimp, crabs, oysters, right whales, dolphins,
loggerhead sea turtles, fish, and manatees.
Some plants in this region include seaweed, pennyworts, algae, seagrass, sea oats
(along the coast), and morning glories (along the coast).
Features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in the Atlantic Ocean
Have gills to breath under water or can hold their breath for a long time
Can survive in salt water
Can move quickly underwater to capture food or elude predators (fins,
flippers, etc.)
Webbed feet for moving in water
Animals communicate underwater with sounds and movements
Animals camouflage to avoid detection from predators