Georgia Habitats PiedmontMarsh/Swamp MountainsCoast Atlantic Ocean

Georgia HabitatsGeorgia Habitats

Piedmont Marsh/Swamp

Mountains Coast Atlantic Ocean

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Georgia HabitatsGeorgia Habitats

The information on this slideshow will The information on this slideshow will allow students to:allow students to:

• Differentiate among the habitats of Georgia Differentiate among the habitats of Georgia and the organisms that live in each oneand the organisms that live in each one

• Identify features of animals that grow and Identify features of animals that grow and thrive in each regionthrive in each region

• Identify features of plants that grow and Identify features of plants that grow and thrive in each regionthrive in each region

PiedmontPiedmont

The piedmont is an area of rolling The piedmont is an area of rolling hills. Piedmont means “foot of the hills. Piedmont means “foot of the mountain.” The piedmont has mountain.” The piedmont has forests, lakes and rivers. Red clay forests, lakes and rivers. Red clay gives the ground its color. It is gives the ground its color. It is located between the coastal plain located between the coastal plain and the mountains in the northern and the mountains in the northern half of Georgia.half of Georgia.

Animals of the PiedmontAnimals of the Piedmont

RaccoonsRaccoons can be found all can be found all over Georgia! When people over Georgia! When people move in, habitats become move in, habitats become smaller or disappear. Raccoons smaller or disappear. Raccoons have adapted to their have adapted to their environment. They eat fruit, environment. They eat fruit, acorns, insects and vegetables. acorns, insects and vegetables. They will also forage through They will also forage through people’s garbage cans.people’s garbage cans.


The The Great Horned OwlGreat Horned Owl is is the largest owl of the the largest owl of the southern United States. Its southern United States. Its "horns" are really ear "horns" are really ear tufts. It lives in wooded tufts. It lives in wooded areas. It hunts during the areas. It hunts during the night and eats rabbits, night and eats rabbits, rodents, birds, fish and rodents, birds, fish and insects. insects.


The The Timber RattlesnakeTimber Rattlesnake lives in forests. It eats lives in forests. It eats rodents, rabbits, squirrels, rodents, rabbits, squirrels, birds, other snakes, birds, other snakes, lizards and frogs. lizards and frogs. Predators are bobcats, Predators are bobcats, coyotes and skunks.coyotes and skunks.


The The White-tailed DeerWhite-tailed Deer is is found in all habitats, from found in all habitats, from high mountain forests to high mountain forests to coastal marshes. It is mainly coastal marshes. It is mainly found in areas which have a found in areas which have a mix of forest, old fields and mix of forest, old fields and active crop lands. The White-active crop lands. The White-tailed Deer eats leaves, buds, tailed Deer eats leaves, buds, twigs, acorns, fruits and twigs, acorns, fruits and mushrooms. mushrooms.


The The OpossumOpossum is is nocturnalnocturnal (actively looking for food (actively looking for food at night). The species is at night). The species is omnivorousomnivorous (eating both (eating both plants and animals). Its plants and animals). Its diet includes fruits, diet includes fruits, berries, insects, crayfish, berries, insects, crayfish, small rodents, small rodents, carrioncarrion (dead animal flesh) and (dead animal flesh) and even human garbage.even human garbage.

Plants of the PiedmontPlants of the Piedmont

With the arrival of European With the arrival of European settlers, agriculture expanded settlers, agriculture expanded quickly, with forests being quickly, with forests being cleared and cotton being grown cleared and cotton being grown in almost any place that was flat in almost any place that was flat enough to plow. This exposed enough to plow. This exposed the land to erosion and leaching the land to erosion and leaching of nutrients, causing the valuable of nutrients, causing the valuable topsoil to wash away and leave topsoil to wash away and leave the famous the famous Georgia Red ClayGeorgia Red Clay. .


Pine treesPine trees are the first to are the first to come back when a field is come back when a field is abandoned because they are abandoned because they are tolerant of sunlight and dry tolerant of sunlight and dry conditions. Forestry became conditions. Forestry became the main form of agriculture the main form of agriculture instead of cotton farming. instead of cotton farming.


Two other types of Two other types of trees that populate this trees that populate this area are the area are the live oak live oak (Georgia state tree)(Georgia state tree) and and hickory treehickory tree. .


KudzuKudzu was brought was brought to the United States to the United States from Japan and was from Japan and was planted to help with planted to help with soil erosion. soil erosion.

Marsh/SwampMarsh/Swamp

The Okefenokee Swamp is in The Okefenokee Swamp is in southern Georgia and southern Georgia and extends all the way to the extends all the way to the Georgia-Florida state line. Georgia-Florida state line. Few places in America can Few places in America can offer as varied and extensive offer as varied and extensive wildlife as this southeastern wildlife as this southeastern swamp. Much of the wildlife swamp. Much of the wildlife is protected by law.is protected by law.

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Marsh/SwampMarsh/Swamp

The Okefenokee The Okefenokee Swamp is a true Swamp is a true wildlife refuge. It is wildlife refuge. It is covered with covered with peatpeat (decaying plants). (decaying plants). The peat is so thick The peat is so thick in some areas that in some areas that you can walk on top you can walk on top of it when you are in of it when you are in the water. the water.

Marsh/Swamp AnimalsMarsh/Swamp Animals

The The cottonmouth water cottonmouth water moccasinmoccasin is the only is the only North American poisonous North American poisonous water snake! It is a pit water snake! It is a pit viper inviper in

the same family as the the same family as the copperhead and the copperhead and the rattler. This is a dangerous rattler. This is a dangerous snake which will fight when snake which will fight when attacked or even approach attacked or even approach an intruder. an intruder.


AlligatorsAlligators are the are the largest reptiles in North largest reptiles in North America. Alligators are America. Alligators are carnivorous. They like carnivorous. They like shallow fresh water with shallow fresh water with mud or sandy mud or sandy banks. When they are banks. When they are not hunting they like to not hunting they like to take sun baths. take sun baths.


The The otterotter is a very is a very smart, curious and smart, curious and playful animal. It loves playful animal. It loves to make slides on river to make slides on river banks. It eats fish, crabs banks. It eats fish, crabs and small reptiles. and small reptiles. Alligators are their only Alligators are their only predator in the swamp.predator in the swamp.


The The Green Tree Frog Green Tree Frog (Georgia(Georgia state amphibian) state amphibian) is nocturnal and is nocturnal and may gather in large may gather in large numbers at night to call. It numbers at night to call. It eats small insects and other eats small insects and other invertebrates. It can be invertebrates. It can be found among floating plants found among floating plants or in the vegetation around or in the vegetation around the water.the water.


The The Sandhill CraneSandhill Crane is a is a large bird between 4-5 feet in large bird between 4-5 feet in height. They nest in fairly height. They nest in fairly open places where trees do open places where trees do not block their vision. When not block their vision. When frightened or sensing danger, frightened or sensing danger, a crane sounds its alarm cry a crane sounds its alarm cry that can be heard for miles. that can be heard for miles. Their nickname is the Their nickname is the "watchmen of the swamp.""watchmen of the swamp."


At one time the At one time the ospreyosprey nest nest served as guide post to the served as guide post to the local natives penetrating the local natives penetrating the unchartered interior. A pair unchartered interior. A pair will build their nest, usually will build their nest, usually in a high tree near a prairie in a high tree near a prairie and this area for a couple of and this area for a couple of miles in all directions will miles in all directions will become their domain. become their domain.

Marsh/Swamp PlantsMarsh/Swamp Plants

The ecosystem of the The ecosystem of the swamp is fire dependent. swamp is fire dependent. Fires generally burn lightly Fires generally burn lightly due to the wet nature of due to the wet nature of the swamp. the swamp. Cypress Cypress treestrees need occasional need occasional fires to survive. fires to survive.

Marsh/Swamp PlantsMarsh/Swamp Plants

Some of the swamp is a Some of the swamp is a prairie and covered with prairie and covered with grassgrass, , moss and ferns. The moss and ferns. The Okefenokee has Okefenokee has meat-eating meat-eating plantsplants which lure, trap and which lure, trap and digest small animals. This digest small animals. This specialization gives them the specialization gives them the advantage of living in advantage of living in impoverished areas with little impoverished areas with little crowding from other plants. crowding from other plants.

Bladderwort

Golden trumpet

MountainsMountains

Georgia's mountains are much older Georgia's mountains are much older than the Rockies or even the than the Rockies or even the Himalayas. The base of the Blue Ridge Himalayas. The base of the Blue Ridge formed over a billion years ago, but the formed over a billion years ago, but the bulk of our mountains were created bulk of our mountains were created from oceanic sediments between 200 from oceanic sediments between 200 and 450 million years ago. The and 450 million years ago. The mountains cover the northern part of mountains cover the northern part of Georgia. Georgia.

Mountain AnimalsMountain Animals

Largemouth BassLargemouth Bass (Georgia (Georgia state fish) are freshwater fish state fish) are freshwater fish and generally inhabit clear, and generally inhabit clear, vegetated lakes, ponds and vegetated lakes, ponds and swamps. They prefer quiet, clear swamps. They prefer quiet, clear water and often hide in dense water and often hide in dense vegetation vegetation

along the edges of a water body. along the edges of a water body. Largemouth bass eat crayfish, Largemouth bass eat crayfish, frogs, insects and small fishes. frogs, insects and small fishes.


BatsBats are a valuable and fascinating are a valuable and fascinating part of Georgia’s natural heritage. part of Georgia’s natural heritage.

They provide a beneficial service by They provide a beneficial service by foraging on flying insects, many of foraging on flying insects, many of which are pests. A single bat can which are pests. A single bat can eat hundreds of mosquitoes in one eat hundreds of mosquitoes in one hour!hour!

The large number of caves formed in The large number of caves formed in this area are an ideal habitat for this area are an ideal habitat for bats. bats.


The The cardinal cardinal is a bird that lives is a bird that lives in wooded areas. Cardinals like in wooded areas. Cardinals like to eat seeds, fruits and insects. to eat seeds, fruits and insects. The male bird is red with a black The male bird is red with a black face. The female has a red tail, face. The female has a red tail, wings and crest; the rest of her wings and crest; the rest of her body is brown. Both have a red body is brown. Both have a red beak. It does not migrate in the beak. It does not migrate in the winter.winter.


The The Black BearBlack Bear is the smallest is the smallest of the American bears but it is of the American bears but it is the largest carnivore in eastern the largest carnivore in eastern North America. It has a large North America. It has a large heavy body with long legs, flat heavy body with long legs, flat feet, stout claws and a very short feet, stout claws and a very short tail. The Black Bear is nocturnal tail. The Black Bear is nocturnal in the summer. It is an omnivore. in the summer. It is an omnivore. It can also be found in the It can also be found in the Okefenokee Swamp. Okefenokee Swamp.

Mountain PlantsMountain Plants The Georgia mountains provide a The Georgia mountains provide a

lush, thick area for a variety of plant lush, thick area for a variety of plant life to grow. This mountain range life to grow. This mountain range originally formed by pressure, heat originally formed by pressure, heat and water. It has been eroding for and water. It has been eroding for the past 400 million years. The the past 400 million years. The resulting rounded mountain range resulting rounded mountain range has formed rich forest soils which has formed rich forest soils which support the most diverse plant life in support the most diverse plant life in the State. The types of plants the State. The types of plants growing depend on the elevation. growing depend on the elevation.

Mountain PlantsMountain Plants

Two of the state flowers are Two of the state flowers are found in the mountain area. found in the mountain area. Azaleas Azaleas (Georgia state (Georgia state wildflower) can be found wildflower) can be found covering much of our state. An covering much of our state. An interesting thing about these interesting thing about these lovely flowers is that they are lovely flowers is that they are actually mildly poisonous! When actually mildly poisonous! When these flowers are eaten by these flowers are eaten by animals, they can cause animals, they can cause stomach and heart problems. stomach and heart problems.

Mountain PlantsMountain Plants

The The Cherokee Rose Cherokee Rose (Georgia (Georgia state flower)state flower) is also found in is also found in this area. Native American this area. Native American folklore says the flowers are a folklore says the flowers are a result of the tears shed during result of the tears shed during the “Trail of Tears.” Trees and the “Trail of Tears.” Trees and bushes bearing fruit are also bushes bearing fruit are also located in the mountains. located in the mountains.

CoastCoast

Georgia's coast is made up of Georgia's coast is made up of sandy beaches and barrier islands. sandy beaches and barrier islands. The coastline of Georgia is almost The coastline of Georgia is almost 110 miles long. The Coastal Plain is 110 miles long. The Coastal Plain is part of a low land that extends part of a low land that extends around the coast of the eastern around the coast of the eastern United States from New York to United States from New York to Texas. In Georgia, a chain of low Texas. In Georgia, a chain of low islands called the Sea Islands lies islands called the Sea Islands lies just off the mainland.just off the mainland.

Coastal AnimalsCoastal Animals

Sea GullsSea Gulls are large birds are large birds and are usually grey or white and are usually grey or white with black markings on the with black markings on the head or wings. They have head or wings. They have stout, longish bills and stout, longish bills and webbed feet.They are ground webbed feet.They are ground nesting carnivores. They eat nesting carnivores. They eat crabs and small fish. crabs and small fish.


Ghost crabsGhost crabs live in burrows live in burrows along the sandy beaches of the along the sandy beaches of the Eastern United States. The crabs Eastern United States. The crabs can reach relatively large sizes of can reach relatively large sizes of over 6 inches. They are over 6 inches. They are omnivorousomnivorous and will eat other and will eat other crabs, clams, insects and crabs, clams, insects and vegetation. Feeding activity vegetation. Feeding activity takes place at night, while takes place at night, while burrowing occurs during the day.burrowing occurs during the day.


The The Brown Thrasher Brown Thrasher (Georgia (Georgia state bird) can be seen state bird) can be seen throughout Georgia, but is most throughout Georgia, but is most common in the southern and common in the southern and central portions of the state. It central portions of the state. It eats a variety of food including eats a variety of food including insects, invertebrates, small insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruits and nuts. vertebrates, fruits and nuts.

Coastal PlantsCoastal Plants

The forests of Georgia's islands The forests of Georgia's islands often are more extensive and often are more extensive and better developed than those of better developed than those of other U.S. barrier islands. other U.S. barrier islands. Canopies of Georgia's mature Canopies of Georgia's mature maritime forest maritime forest

are dominated by are dominated by Spanish Spanish mossmoss and and live oakslive oaks. .

Coastal PlantsCoastal Plants

Other large canopy trees Other large canopy trees include southern magnolias, include southern magnolias, pines and cabbage palms. pines and cabbage palms. Smaller trees include the Smaller trees include the American holly and morning American holly and morning gloryglory.. On the beaches of the On the beaches of the coast, coast, sea oatssea oats grow on the grow on the dunes and help prevent dunes and help prevent erosion. erosion.

Atlantic OceanAtlantic Ocean

The Atlantic Ocean is made of The Atlantic Ocean is made of saltwater. The Atlantic Ocean saltwater. The Atlantic Ocean near Georgia is warmer than most near Georgia is warmer than most oceans in the world. Georgia's oceans in the world. Georgia's offshore waters lie along the offshore waters lie along the migratory route for several migratory route for several species of marinespecies of marine

animals that are unique and play animals that are unique and play important environmental roles. important environmental roles.

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Animals of the OceanAnimals of the Ocean

The The sand tiger sharksand tiger shark is very is very large and has a mouthful of large and has a mouthful of sharp, spike-like teeth. It can sharp, spike-like teeth. It can eat just about anything it eat just about anything it wants and swallow it whole. It wants and swallow it whole. It doesn't attack humans. It is doesn't attack humans. It is the only shark that controls the only shark that controls how it floats in the water by how it floats in the water by burping! burping!

Animals of the OceanAnimals of the Ocean After baby After baby loggerhead turtlesloggerhead turtles

hatch, they immediately make hatch, they immediately make their way to the sea. The only their way to the sea. The only time a female loggerhead comes time a female loggerhead comes ashore is to nest. She will crawl ashore is to nest. She will crawl up a beach at night, dig a pit in up a beach at night, dig a pit in the sand with her hind flippers, the sand with her hind flippers, and lay between 80 and 120 and lay between 80 and 120 eggs in the nest. Many of the eggs in the nest. Many of the eggs will be eaten or stolen by eggs will be eaten or stolen by predators. After 50 to 80 days, a predators. After 50 to 80 days, a few tiny hatchlings will struggle few tiny hatchlings will struggle out of their eggs.out of their eggs.


Right whales (Right whales (Georgia state Georgia state marine mammal) can grow up marine mammal) can grow up to 60 to 60 feet long and weigh up to long and weigh up to 100 tons. Whalers thought the 100 tons. Whalers thought the whales were the "right" ones to whales were the "right" ones to hunt since they float when hunt since they float when killed. Over hunting caused killed. Over hunting caused their numbers to decrease. their numbers to decrease. Today, the right whale is Today, the right whale is endangered. There are only endangered. There are only 350 left, so instead of hunting 350 left, so instead of hunting them, people often watch these them, people often watch these acrobatic whales for pleasure. acrobatic whales for pleasure.


Many types of fish live in the Many types of fish live in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Georgia. BGeorgia. Black sea basslack sea bass, , grouper, snapper, bluefish, tuna, grouper, snapper, bluefish, tuna, amberjack, barracuda, sailfish, amberjack, barracuda, sailfish, barracuda and mackerel are just barracuda and mackerel are just some of the fish common to the some of the fish common to the area. Georgia has built a area. Georgia has built a number of artificial reefs to number of artificial reefs to attract fish and other sea life. attract fish and other sea life.

Plants of the OceanPlants of the Ocean

Gray's ReefGray's Reef contains both plant contains both plant and animal life. The rock that and animal life. The rock that forms the reef is mostly forms the reef is mostly sandstone and limestone that was sandstone and limestone that was formed between two and five formed between two and five million years ago! Gray's Reef million years ago! Gray's Reef provides a home and foundation provides a home and foundation for hundreds of different species for hundreds of different species of plants and animals. of plants and animals. Seaweed, Seaweed, algae and seagrass algae and seagrass thrive on thrive on Gray's Reef.Gray's Reef.

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Georgia Habitats PiedmontMarsh/Swamp MountainsCoast Atlantic Ocean