Living things need need air, water, food and shelter to survive. There is a difference between needs and wants. Students will be able to identify the four things that organisms need to survive. Students will realize through exploring the Nature Gardens that organisms' needs for survival are fewer than wants.

Why do organisms need to survive?

Every organism has a unique ecosystem within which it lives. This ecosystem is its natural habitat. This is where the basic needs of the organism to survive are met: food, water, shelter from the weather and place to breed its young. All organisms need to adapt to their habitat to be able to survive.

What are the basic need to an organism to survive?

In order to survive, all living things need air, water, and food. Animals obtain their food from plants and other animals, which provides them with the energy they need to move and grow. An animal's home (habitat) must provide these basic needs (air, water and food) along with shelter from bad weather and predators.