Georgia Regions and Habitats Before we get started

Georgia Regions and Habitats

Before we get started, where in the world is Georgia? Do you know?

Georgia is in the Southeastern part of the United States, on the continent of North America. There it is!

Georgia itself is divided into different regions. Each region is different from the others in their own special ways.

The northernmost part of Georgia is called the Mountain Region.

The central part of Georgia is called the Piedmont Region.

The southernmost part of Georgia is called the Coastal Plain Region.

Georgia borders the Atlantic Ocean, so it also has a coastline and an abundance of barrier islands. Neat!

Are you ready to find out what makes each region special? Do you want to know what kinds of plants and animals might be found in each?

Let’s start in Georgia’s Mountain Region! Have you ever been to the mountains? Let’s take a little field trip, shall we?

The Georgia Mountains…

The Georgia Mountains… • The land is higher, and shaded by trees. That makes it cooler. • The ground is harder. Some people live in the mountains, but not a lot. Why do you think fewer people live in that region?

In the mountains, you beautiful might see… waterfalls. This is Amicola Falls in the North Georgia Mountains.

In the mountains, you might see. . . really tall trees like the Tulip Poplar and the Hemlock.

You might also see cool animals that call the Georgia Mountains home. Let’s see what we can find!

Mudpuppies and American Toads are two amphibians which live in this habitat. Both need to live by mountain streams, but they love to hang out in the woods!

Box Turtles and Copperhead Snakes are two reptiles which live in this mountain habitat. Can you think of a reason why these two would be perfectly at home in the woods?

A lot of animals love to be high in the trees of the Georgia mountains! Can you name these three?

Black bears, mountain lions, and coyotes are major predators in the mountains. They’re so furry! Why? ?

Did you know: • the black vulture is a scavenger, • it helps clean this region, • it was almost made extinct by chemicals, • it’s on the comeback list.

Humans’ use of that chemical, called DDT, changed this habit. It almost killed off an entire bird species. How else could humans hurt the habitat and change the animal life?

Hop back on the bus! It’s time to leave the mountain region! We’re heading south to the Piedmont region of Georgia! Let’s go!

The Piedmont Region…

The Piedmont region… • It’s farther south, so the temperature is warmer than in the mountains. • The land is rolling hills, lakes, and rivers. • Atlanta is in the Piedmont, making it the highest populated region of Georgia. Why?

In the Piedmont, you might see…. . • lots of tall buildings and highways. What’s that building with the gold dome? You’ve been there

In the Piedmont, you might see…. . Dogwood, Sweet Gum, and Hickory Trees!

Let’s see what animals we can find here! No hiking boots needed this time!

We could use a canoe though! Let’s check out the lakes and rivers first!

Near the Chattahoochee River and Lake Lanier, we might find some interesting critters! Water makes a great habitat!

Snapping Turtles and River Otters thrive in the Piedmont Region. Can you think of some reasons why these two would be perfectly at home in the water?

The Piedmont is home to the Red-Cockaded Woodpecker and the Mourning Dove. Peck, peck, peck…. .

The Piedmont is also home to White-tailed Deer. They prefer wooded areas, but as we continue to populate the area, we force them into unsafe territory. Don’t cross the road! Look out for cars!

As we take over animal habitats, we push animals out. Here are coyotes in downtown Atlanta. When caught, they are given freedom outside of Georgia.

Load up! Let’s head farther south into the Coastal Plain region! It’s a big region, so we have lots to explore! Coastal Plain

The Coastal Plain Region…

The Coastal Plain Region… • southern Georgia, • warmest region of the state, • the land is flat, the soil is mostly sandy, • a unique environment for many different plants and animals. • a great region in which to vacation in. Why?

In the Coastal Plain, you might see… few hills and a lot of water. Most of the water is on the east side of the state. The western side is pretty, but flat.

In the Coastal Plain, you might see… marshes and swamps. The Okefenokee Swamp one of the largest swamps in the U. S.

The Okefenokee Swamp is a very wet, mucky place! Most trees would drown in this habitat, but not the Cypress- it loves all that muck!

That muck is also a great habitat for American Alligators.

Want to go for a little swim?

Since mosquitoes need warm temperatures and water in which to lay their eggs… The swamps are a perfect habitat for them.

Closer to the coast, there are lots of tall pines and Saw Palmettos. Georgia’s state bird, the Brown Thrasher, might nest in trees like these!

If I were a bird, I’d make my home in one of Georgia’s Live Oaks! It has lots of huge branches to choose from and the moss that grows on them is great for nesting. (It’s the Georgia State Tree!)

Wire grass and sea weed are two types of vegetation that abound near the coast. Southern Toads love the nestle among the vegetation and catch mosquitoes! Yummy!

Double-crested Cormorants, Snowy Egrets, and Blue Heron love to live near the coastal waters. Can you guess why?

This region is also home to the venomous Coral Snake! Red on black, friend of Jack. Red on yellow, kill a fellow!

The Little Grass Frog is one of the tiniest critters that live in this coastal habitat. The armadillo is one of the most unique animals that make this region their home.

Can you brainstorm some things that humans might do to try to conserve this habitat for all of the plants and animals that live here?

Where the warm, salty waters of the Atlantic Ocean meet our state, a very unique habitat is created. Welcome to the beaches and barrier islands of Georgia!

Jekyll Island St. Simon’s Island are two of many barrier islands along Georgia’s coast.

To see some of Georgia’s coolest animals, we’ll need one of these! Sub=Below Marine=Water

The Right Whale They were named “Right” because when they were hunted long ago, they were just ‘right’ for killing: • they were easy to catch, • floated when killed, • held lots of oil and meat. They were almost hunted to extinction.

Pilot Whales and Bottlenose Dolphins also live in the GA Ocean habitat! We are lucky to have these animals call Georgia waters home.

Loggerhead Sea Turtles and Manatees can also be found in waters off of Georgia’s coast! Both are considered Manatees like to swim endangered. close to the surface, many are killed or injured by boats. Sea turtles are often caught in fishing traps and nets.

Can you think of other ways that humans put the sea creatures in danger? Can you think of some ways we can try to protect them?

I hope you enjoyed our field trip through Georgia’s Habitats!

Which of Georgia’s regions is your favorite? Write about what you love about it! If you could be one of the many animals that live in Georgia, which would you be? Write about a day in your life as that animal.

Make a list of animals that don’t live in any of Georgia’s habitats. Why do they not live here? Why are they not suited to any of the habitats here?

Think about the features that some animals have that make them feel perfectly at home in one of Georgia’s habitats. Can you design or create a brand new animal that has similar features so that they could survive happily in one of Georgia’s habitats?

Create a 3 -D Diorama of one of Georgia’s habitats. What animals and plants must you include to make it seem more life-like?

Make posters to hang around the school encouraging others to keep our environment clean. Organize a team to periodically clean up garbage around your school.

Research ways in which we have impacted the environment locally, thus making it harder for plants or animals to survive. What steps can we take to improve the environments for these organisms?

Take a trip to Zoo Atlanta! The zoo has many wonderful animals that don’t normally live in Georgia. What special things must the zoo do in order to make them feel like they are in their natural habitats while they are in Georgia?