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Aphids live on plants. Where do other mini-beasts like to live?

Living Things - Minibeasts and Micro-Habitats

Discover where tiny minibeasts live, from logs and leaves to cracks in walls, and learn how these micro-habitats keep them safe, fed, and hidden.

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Fascinating Fact:

Ants build underground micro-habitats called nests, with busy tunnels where they store food and look after eggs.

In KS1 Science, you find out where minibeasts live and why. Micro-habitats, like under stones or inside bark, provide the damp, dark or safe spaces these tiny creatures need to survive.

Key Terms

Minibeast: A small animal without a backbone, such as an ant, woodlouse, snail, spider or worm.
Micro-habitat: A tiny habitat, like under a log, in soil, or in leaf litter, where minibeasts find shelter, food and the right conditions.
Shelter: A safe place that protects an animal from weather and predators, helping it stay alive.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a micro-habitat in KS1 science?

A micro-habitat is a very small home within a larger habitat, such as under stones, in soil, or in leaves, where conditions suit certain minibeasts.

Which minibeasts live in micro-habitats?

Common minibeasts in micro-habitats include ants, woodlice, worms, spiders, beetles and slugs. Each chooses places that are the right temperature, light and dampness for them.

Why do minibeasts like dark and damp places?

Many minibeasts like dark, damp places because it stops them drying out, keeps them cool, and helps them hide from predators such as birds.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Ellie turned over an old log. She found lots of woodlice. What do woodlice need to live?

Just food

Just water

Just air

Food, water, air and warmth

Woodlice need food, water, air and warmth just like you. All minibeasts need these four things

2 .

Jack dug up some soil. He found lots of earthworms. What type of place do earthworms like?

Light

Dark

Cold

Frozen

Earthworms live in the soil. They live in leaf litter. They live in compost heaps. They like it warm, but they do not like the light

3 .

This spider eats flies. The spider catches flies in its web. Where is the best place for the spider to build its web?

In the soil

Under a stone

Inside a house

On the outside of a house

The spider will catch a few flies inside a house. But there are far more flies outside. So the outside is the best place for this spider

4 .

Honey bees are insects. They are minibeasts. But they do not eat rotting leaves. What do honey bees need where they live?

Lots of soil

Lots of water

Lots of flowers

Lots of rain

Honey bees go from flower to flower. That’s where they get their food

5 .

Ellie asked, ‘Where does the woodlouse get its food?’ What do you think?

From the air

From the rotting wood

From the soil

From the rain

The woodlouse was under the old log. The wood in the log was rotting. It is food for the woodlouse

6 .

Last year Anna and Bella were both given compost bins. Anna put more leaves and dead plants in her bin. Why are there more minibeasts in Anna’s compost bin?

Anna’s compost bin was colder

Anna’s compost bin was drier

Anna’s compost bin was smaller

Anna’s compost bin contained more food

Minibeasts like to live where it is warm and there is lots to eat

7 .

Ella and Grace have found a pile of old leaves. Where will they find the most minibeasts?

Under the leaves

On top of the leaves

In the grass

In the air

There are minibeasts in all those places. But there will be more minibeasts under the leaves

8 .

The place where minibeasts live is called a micro-habitat. What does micro mean?

Very big

Very large

Very small

Very strong

Under stones, under logs and under bushes are all micro-habitats. They are small places where little beasties like to live

9 .

William turns over a stone. He finds lots of minbeasts. This is one of them. What has he found?

Caterpillar

Centipede

Worm

Snake

Caterpillars do look a bit like centipedes. But they like to live on plants, not under stones. Caterpillars grow and change into butterflies

10 .

Sarah is a gardener. She has a compost heap. She puts dead plants on her compost heap. She puts leaves on her compost heap. She puts vegetable peelings on her compost heap. Which one of these animals likes to live in her compost heap?