Discover many types of animal homes.
Let’s Get Started
Take a hike in your yard, down your street or visit a nearby park to look for animal homes.
Animals make homes to rest, hide from predators, stay warm or cool, and raise their young. From holes in trees and in the ground, to elaborate nests and webs you will be amazed at how many different types of homes you can find.
Many animals have adapted to living where we live. For example, deer will make a bed that is hidden and protected from wind under trees and peregrine falcons can be found nesting from tall city buildings.
You may also count homes people make to help wildlife, such as bird houses and bat boxes.
Great!
Great!
SEARCH:
Look along the ground to find holes for bugs, grass-covered mole and rabbit burrows, in shrubs and trees for bird nests and almost anywhere for a spider’s web.
Awesome!
Awesome!
COUNT:
How many homes can you find?
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
LOCATE:
Can you find a fallen log or a pile of rocks? Chances are some small animals may live underneath.
Wonderful!
Wonderful!
IDENTIFY:
Observe animal behaviors and they may show you where they live. Squirrels make nests in trees, chipmunks live in wood or rock piles, duck and geese nest in tall grasses near water, and bats roost under bridges, roofs of buildings and in trees.
Fantastic!
Fantastic!
LISTEN:
Do you hear any animal sounds? Are birds chirping, bees buzzing, squirrels and chipmunks scampering? Their sounds may help you find where they live.
Document Your Discoveries
- Draw some of the homes you found in your Nature Notebook.
- Try to figure out what animals live there.
- Never disturb any of the animal homes or animals you find. Take a photo and come back later to see if you notice additional signs.
- Bonus: With the weather getting colder it is the perfect time to build a shelter for smaller wildlife. You can build a birdhouse or a home for bugs with Ranger Rick®.
