Science · Life Science
Animals — Reading Comprehension Lesson
Reading comprehension passage and printable worksheet about animals — classification, habitats, adaptations, and how animals survive — for grades 3–6.
Subject
Science
Grade Level
Grades 3–6
Pages
3 pages
Skills
Reading Comprehension
Reading Passage
Animals
Animals are living things that can move on their own and must eat food to get energy. Unlike plants, animals cannot make their own food from sunlight. Instead, they eat plants, other animals, or both. Animals are found in nearly every environment on Earth — from the deepest oceans to the highest mountains, from frozen tundra to hot deserts.
Scientists organize animals into two large groups: vertebrates and invertebrates. Vertebrates are animals that have a backbone. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals are all vertebrates. Invertebrates are animals that do not have a backbone. Insects, spiders, worms, and jellyfish are examples of invertebrates. More than 95 percent of all animal species on Earth are invertebrates.
Animals live in habitats that meet their basic needs for food, water, shelter, and space. A habitat is the natural environment where an animal lives and finds what it needs to survive. Animals are specially suited to their habitats through adaptations — physical features or behaviors that help them survive. A polar bear’s thick fur keeps it warm in the Arctic. A camel’s ability to store fat in its hump helps it survive in the desert.
Animals have many different ways of obtaining food. Herbivores eat only plants. Carnivores eat only other animals. Omnivores eat both plants and animals. Predators hunt and eat other animals called prey. Some animals are scavengers, meaning they feed on the remains of dead animals. These different feeding strategies allow animals to take advantage of the food sources available in their habitats.
Animals reproduce to ensure the survival of their species. Some animals lay eggs — including fish, amphibians, reptiles, and birds. Mammals give birth to live young and nurse them with milk. Many animals care for their young until the offspring are old enough to survive on their own. This care increases the chances that young animals will live long enough to reproduce themselves.
Printable Worksheet
Printable PDF · 3 pages
Animals Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Printable worksheet includes the reading passage and comprehension questions about animal classification, habitats, adaptations, and feeding strategies. Includes answer key.
More Science Worksheets
Explore our full library of science reading comprehension worksheets and lesson resources.