Axolotls

Ages 5–10 · 12 minutes · Science

Unusual and unique! Learn all about axolotls.

Axolotls aren't just odd-looking. This fascinating, regenerative creature can do some amazing things! Learn all about Axolotls' diets, habitats, and classification.

Part of

All About Animals

Standards alignment

Common Core State Standards

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Alabama

SC23.1.5 — Use information from observations to explain how various external features help living things survive, grow, and meet their needs.
SC23.2.7 — Obtain information to explain that there are many different kinds of living things that exist in habitats on land and in water.
SC23.3.9 — Construct an explanation from evidence of how variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.
SS10.1.8.3 — Using vocabulary associated with geographical features, including _river, lake, ocean,_ and _mountain_

Alaska

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.

Arizona

1.L4U1.10 — Develop a model to describe how animals and plants are classified into groups and subgroups according to their similarities.
Identify questions and make predictions based on prior experiences.
2.L2U1.9 — Obtain, analyze, and communicate evidence that organisms need a source of energy, air, water, and certain temperature conditions to survive.
K.L1U1.6 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about how organisms use different body parts for survival.

Arkansas

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

California

All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Colorado

Similarities and differences in patterns can be used to sort and classify natural phenomena.
LS1.A — Structure and Function: All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place and seek, find and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive, grow and produce more plants.
SC.1.2.1 — All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
SC.2.2.2.a — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
SC.3.2.4.b — Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing.

Connecticut

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Delaware

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Florida

SC.3.L.15.1 — Classify animals into major groups (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, arthropods, vertebrates and invertebrates, those having live births and those which lay eggs) according to their physical characteristics and behaviors.
SC.K.L.14.3 — Observe plants and animals, describe how they are alike and how they are different in the way they look and in the things they do.
SC.2.L.17.2 — Recognize and explain that living things are found all over Earth, but each is only able to live in habitats that meet its basic needs.

Georgia

S3L1.b — Construct an explanation of how external features and adaptations (camouflage, hibernation, migration, mimicry) of animals allow them to survive in their habitat.
SKL2.a — Construct an argument supported by evidence for how animals can be grouped according to their features.
S3L1.c — Use evidence to construct an explanation of why some organisms can thrive in one habitat and not in another.

Hawaii

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Idaho

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see; hear; grasp objects; protect themselves; move from place to place; and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. (1-LS-1.1)
K-LS-1.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Use observations to describe how plants and animals are alike and different in terms of how they live and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow. (K-LS-1.1)
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. (2-LS-2.1)
2-LS-2.1 — Students who demonstrate understanding can: Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Illinois

LS1.A-P1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
LS1.C-P1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
LS4.D-P1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
PAT-P1 — Patterns in the natural world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Indiana

K.LS.2 — Describe and compare the physical features of common living plants and animals.
1.LS.3 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
2.LS.3 — Classify living organisms according to variations in specific physical features (i.e., body coverings, appendages) and describe how those features may provide an advantage for survival in different environments.

Iowa

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.

Kansas

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.

Kentucky

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Louisiana

Compare models to identify common features and differences.
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

Maine

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
L.5.1.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.

Maryland

DCI.LS1.A.K-2.1 — All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
DCI.LS1.C.K-2.1 — All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
DCI.LS4.D.K-2.1 — There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
CCC.1.K-2.1 — Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Massachusetts

1-LS1-1 — Use evidence to explain that (a) different animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air, and (b) plants have roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits that are used to take in water, air, and other nutrients, and produce food for the plant.
2-LS4-1 — Use texts, media, or local environments to observe and compare (a) different kinds of living things in an area, and (b) differences in the kinds of living things living in different types of areas.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
PreK-LS1-1(MA) — Compare, using descriptions and drawings, the external body parts of animals (including humans) and plants and explain functions of some of the observable body parts.
K-LS1-1 — Observe and communicate that animals (including humans) and plants need food, water, and air to survive. Animals get food from plants or other animals. Plants make their own food and need light to live and grow.

Michigan

2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Minnesota

0L.1.2.1.2 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. (P: 3, CC: 1, CI: LS4)
3L.4.1.1.1 — Construct an argument about strategies animals use to survive. (P: 7, CC: 2, CI: LS2)
3L.4.2.1.1 — Obtain information from various types of media to support an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. (P: 8, CC: 4, CI: LS1)
0.1.8.2 — Ask and answer questions about unfamiliar vocabulary in informational text read aloud.
0L.2.1.1.3 — Record and use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. (P: 4, CC: 1, CI: LS1)

Mississippi

L.2.1.2 — Classify vertebrates (mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles) based on their physical characteristics.
L.2.3B.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe and to compare how animals interact with other animals and plants in the environment (i.e., predatorprey relationships, herbivore, carnivore, omnivore).
L.2.4.1 — Evaluate and communicate findings from informational text or other media to describe how plants and animals use adaptations to survive (e.g., ducks use webbed feet to swim in lakes and ponds, cacti have waxy coatings and spines to grow in the desert) in distinct environments (e.g., polar lands, saltwater and freshwater, desert, rainforest, woodlands).
L.2.1.4 — Construct a scientific argument for classifying vertebrates that have unusual characteristics, such as bats, penguins, snakes, salamanders, dolphins, and duck-billed platypuses (i.e., bats have wings yet they are mammals).

Missouri

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
K.LS1.C.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.
K.ESS3.A.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Montana

2-LS4-1 — make observations of plants and animals to compare and contrast the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals, including humans, and the places they live;
K-LS1-1 — use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals, including humans, need to survive.
4-LS1-1 — construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction; and

Nebraska

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
SC.2.7.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

Nevada

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.

New Hampshire

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.

New Jersey

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

New Mexico

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

New York

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-LS1-1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

North Carolina

LS.4.1.1 — Use models to explain that plants and animals have external structures that function to support survival.
LS.K.1.2 — Use models to exemplify how animals use their body parts to obtain food and other resources, protect themselves, and move from place to place.
LS.K.2.1 — Analyze and interpret data to compare the characteristics of different types of the same animal to determine individual similarities and differences.
LS.4.1 — Understand the effects of environmental changes, adaptations, and behaviors that enable organisms to survive in changing habitats.

North Dakota

1-LS1-1 — Construct an evidence-based argument with the use of a drawing or a model that illustrates how structures of plants or animals help them survive in their habitat.

Ohio

K.LS.2 — Living things have physical traits and behaviors, which influence their survival.
1.LS.2 — Living things survive only in environments that meet their needs.
3.LS.2 — Individuals of the same kind of organism differ in their inherited traits. These differences give some individuals an advantage in surviving and/or reproducing.
SL.1.2 — Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented in various media and other formats (e.g., orally).
1.LS.1 — Living things have basic needs, which are met by obtaining materials from the physical environment.

Oklahoma

K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live.
Animals obtain their food from plants or from other animals. (K.LS1.1)
Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. (1.LS1.1)
2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive.
PK.S.3 — Notice and describe similarities and differences among plants, animals, and objects. Clarification Statement: Similarities and differences might include grouping like plants, animals, or objects based on observations. Descriptions of groupings might be based on how plants, animals, or objects look, feel, or smell.

Oregon

3.LS4.2 — Use evidence to construct an explanation for how the variations in characteristics among individuals of the same species may provide advantages in surviving, finding mates, and reproducing. [Clarification Statement: Examples of cause and effect relationships could be plants that have larger thorns than other plants may be less likely to be eaten by predators; and, animals that have better camouflage coloration than other animals may be more likely to survive and therefore more likely to leave offspring.][assessment boundary: assessment does not include patterns of genetic inheritance.]
4.LS1.1 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. [Clarification Statement: Examples of structures could include thorns, stems, roots, colored petals, heart, stomach, lung, brain, and skin. [Assessment Boundary: Assessment is limited to macroscopic structures within plant and animal systems.]
K.ESS3.1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans) and the places they live. [Clarification Statement: Examples of relationships could include that deer eat buds and leaves, therefore, they usually live in forested areas; and, grasses need sunlight so they often grow in meadows. Plants, animals, and their surroundings make up a system.][assessment boundary: modeling is limited to describing the relationship and does not include patterns of structure and function to show how needs are met. impact on the environment is beyond the standard.]
K.LS1.1 — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. [Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food but plants do not; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and, that all living things need water.][assessment boundary: assessment is limited to patterns of light, food, or water as sources of matter and energy needed for growth. the process of photosynthesis is beyond the standard at this grade level.]
2.LS4.1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats. [Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in each of a variety of different habitats.] [Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.]

Pennsylvania

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
3.1.2.C — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

Rhode Island

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Patterns in the natural and human designed world can be observed, used to describe phenomena, and used as evidence.

South Carolina

1-LS1-1.DCI.A: — Structure and Function All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow. NRC Framework Link
2-LS4-1. — Make observations of plants and animals to compare patterns of diversity within different habitats. Clarification Statement: Emphasis is on the diversity of living things in a variety of different habitats. State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific animal and plant names in specific habitats.
2-LS4-1.DCI.D: — Biodiversity and Humans There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water. NRC Framework Link
K-LS1-1. — Use observations to describe patterns of what plants and animals (including humans) need to survive. Clarification Statement: Examples of patterns could include that animals need to take in food, but plants make food; the different kinds of food needed by different types of animals; the requirement of plants to have light; and that all living things need water. Patterns could be described using multiple modes of representation.
K-ESS3-1. — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants or animals (including humans)and the places they live. Clarification Statement: Examples of relationships could include that deer eat buds and leaves; therefore, they usually live in forested areas, humans use soil and water to grow food, and grasses need sunlight so they often grow in meadows. Plants, animals, and their surroundings make up a system. State Assessment Boundary: Assessment does not include specific habitats or biomes.

South Dakota

What is the relationship between animals and what they eat, and how does that determine where they live?
Describing similarities and differences in different organisms of the same species and different species.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Making an argument about how the structure and function of plant and animal anatomy can support growth, behavior, and reproduction.
Making observations about plant and animal similarities and diversity in different habitats.

Tennessee

2.LS1.2 — Obtain and communicate information to classify animals (vertebrates-mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fish, invertebrates-insects) based on their physical characteristics.
2.LS1.1 — Use evidence and observations to explain that many animals use their body parts and senses in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water, and air.
3.LS4.2 — Infer that plant and animal adaptations help them survive in land and aquatic biomes.
3.LS1.1 — Analyze the internal and external structures that aquatic and land animals and plants have to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.

Texas

1.10A — investigate how the external characteristics of an animal are related to where it lives, how it moves, and what it eats;
1.13A — identify the external structures of different animals and compare how those structures help different animals live, move, and meet basic needs for survival;
2.10A — observe, record, and compare how the physical characteristics and behaviors of animals help them meet their basic needs;
3.13A — explore and explain how external structures and functions of animals such as the neck of a giraffe or webbed feet on a duck enable them to survive in their environment; and

Utah

2.2.1 — Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about patterns of living things (plants and animals, including humans) in different habitats. Emphasize the diversity of living things in land and water habitats. Examples of *patterns*in habitats could include descriptions of temperature or precipitation and the types of plants and animals found in land habitats. (LS2.C, LS4.C, LS4.D)
1.2.2 — Construct an explanation by observing patterns of external features of living things that survive in different locations. Emphasize how plants and nonhuman animals, found in specific surroundings, share similar physical characteristics. Examples could include that plants living in dry areas are more likely to have thick outer coatings that hold in water, animals living in cold locations have longer and thicker fur, or most desert animals are awake at night. (LS1.A, LS1.D)
2.2.2 — Plan and carry out an investigation of the structure and function of plant and animal parts in different habitats. Emphasize how different plants and animals have different structures to survive in their habitat. Examples could include the shallow roots of a cactus in the desert or the seasonal changes in the fur coat of a wolf. (LS1.A, LS4.A, LS4.D)
4.1.1 — Construct an explanation from evidence that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction. Emphasize how structures support an organism's survival in its environment and how internal and external structures of plants and animals vary within the same and across multiple Utah environments. Examples of structures could include thorns on a stem to prevent predation or gills on a fish to allow it to breathe underwater. (LS1.A)

Vermont

All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
All animals need food in order to live and grow. They obtain their food from plants or from other animals. Plants need water and light to live and grow.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Virginia

1.1.a.i — Ask questions and make predictions based on observations.
1.5.b — Animals have different physical characteristics that perform specific functions.
1.5.c — Animals can be classified based on a variety of characteristics.
1.5.a — Animals need air, food, water, shelter, and space (habitat).
3.4.b — Adaptations may be behavioral or physical.

Washington

There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Compare models to identify common features and differences.
All organisms have external parts. Different animals use their body parts in different ways to see, hear, grasp objects, protect themselves, move from place to place, and seek, find, and take in food, water and air. Plants also have different parts (roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits) that help them survive and grow.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.

Washington, D.C.

Objects and organisms can be described in terms of their parts.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.
L.1.5.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).
Compare models to identify common features and differences.

West Virginia

S.2.7 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
Building and appropriately using science domain vocabulary and phrases
Determining the relationships between structure and function
S.4.8 — Construct an argument that plants and animals have internal and external structures that function to support survival, growth, behavior, and reproduction.
ELA.1.40.b — Define words by category and by one or more key attributes (e.g., a duck is a bird that swims; a tiger is a large cat with stripes).

Wisconsin

All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
There are many different kinds of living things in any area, and they exist in different places on land and in water.
Students collect, record, and share observations. This includes the following: Record information (observations, thoughts, and ideas). Use and share pictures, drawings, or writings of observations. Use observations (firsthand or from media) to describe patterns or relationships in the natural and designed worlds in order to answer scientific questions and solve problems. Compare predictions (based on prior experiences) to what occurred (observable events). Analyze data from tests of an object or tool to determine if the object or tool works as intended.
Particular organisms can only survive in particular environments.

Wyoming

Compare models to identify common features and differences.
Animals obtain food they need from plants or other animals. Plants need water and light.
All organisms have external parts that they use to perform daily functions.
A range of different organisms lives in different places.
2-LS4-1 — Make observations of plants and animals to compare the diversity of life in different habitats.
K-ESS3-1 — Use a model to represent the relationship between the needs of different plants and animals (including humans) and the places they live.