Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

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Leaf litter habitats

Leaf litter habitats

What is leaf litter?

Leaf litter is made of dead leaves and other debris that fall to the floor of a forest or in bushland. It creates a habitat for many different animals, particularly invertebrates. As leaf litter rots it forms soil and creates nutrients for plants. It also stops soil from drying out. 

Leaf litter layers - humus at the bottom then fermenting layer and leaf litter layer on top.
Image: Leaf litter has three layers. Leaves in the litter layer, rotting leaves in the fermenting layer and the completely rotted humus layer.

Leaf litter as habitat

Animals such as spiders, centipedes and ants move over the surface of the leaf litter while decomposers such as worms and bush cockroaches tunnel through the soil or live permanently in burrows.

Leaf litter comprising fallen leaves, bark and twigs.
Image: Many insects such as cicadas and beetles spend their larval or nymph life stage in the leaf litter or soil while the adults live in the forest canopy.
Lizard with roughly textured skin in sun on top of leaf litter. The lizard blends into the leaf litter.
Image: Jacky dragons will hunt for invertebrates in the leaf litter. Their camouflage helps to protect them from predators.
Echidna with it's snout poked into the leaf litter beside a rock.
Image: Echidnas will hunt for ants and termites hidden in the leaf litter using their 15 centimetre long tongue.
Silk-lined small round burrow in leaf litter.
Image: Wolf spiders and some types of trapdoor spiders will create burrows in leaf litter.

Wolf spider

Wolf spiders are arachnids that live in leaf litter or in burrows throughout Australia. There are many species which range in size from 1cm to 8cm. They are hunters that prey upon insects and other spiders. Some larger species can eat frogs and small lizards.

Wolf spider with 8 legs and a patterned cephalothorax and abdomen.
Image: Wolf spiders have excellent camouflage that helps them hide from predators and hunt prey in leaf litter.

Centipedes

Centipedes are myriapods. They can be found in leaf litter, soil or under rocks and logs. They are carnivorous, preying upon other small invertebrates such as beetles and millipedes.

Centipede on the ground with a flattish body and legs protruding from both sides.
Image: Centipedes are built for speed. They move quickly through leaf litter and under rotting logs in search of prey.

habitat book
Image: Habitat digital book

Find out more

Habitat is a special digital book that investigates the needs of living things through detailed text, interactive activities, videos and stunning images.

Explore the value of habitats such as trees, shrubs and ground cover plants and non-living habitats such as leaf litter, rocks, logs and water.

Find out how to create and restore habitats that will help animals survive and thrive.

This book supports Australian Curriculum biological sciences and living world.

Download free from Apple Books.

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