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Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Field of Mars Environmental Education Centre

Experience Engage Enable

Telephone02 9816 1298

Emailfieldofmar-e.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Rock and log habitats

Rock and log habitats

Rocks as habitat

Rocks retain heat from the sun and are used by reptiles to warm themselves. Crevices in or between rocks provide shelter and nesting sites for reptiles and some mammals. They also provide shelter for invertebrates and a growing platform for lichens and other plant-like organisms. 


Logs as habitat

Many ground feeding birds, frogs, lizards and Australian mammals use rotting or hollow logs on the ground. They can provide homes and shelter and the invertebrates that eat the logs can in turn become a food source to insectivores such as echidnas. As they decompose the logs provide nutrients to the soil. They also can act as a form of erosion control slowing water running down hillsides.


Southern leaf tailed gecko

This gecko is known for its leaf-shaped tail. Its skin is rough and scaly with mottled patterns which make for perfect camouflage in a sandstone rock crevice habitat. 


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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