STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF

GEORGIA
3L1A

Reflect
This American alligator is sunning on a log in the
Okefenokee Swamp in southeast Georgia. Alligators
occupy a variety of wetland habitats in Georgia.

They are found in marshes, swamps, rivers, farm

ponds, and lakes in the wild. Why do you think the
alligator does well in a wetland habitat?

habitat: geographical region inhabited by

particular animals and plants

Georgia Habitats
Georgia has five distinct habitats where certain plants and animals have adapted
there: mountain, Piedmont, coastal plains, marsh/swamp, and ocean.

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 STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF
GEORGIA
Mountain Habitat
Mountains cover the northern part of Georgia. The
Blue Ridge Mountains are a part of the Appalachian
Mountains that form the mountain habitat in north
Georgia.

This mountain habitat has rugged ridges and round-

ed, eroded tops. Also, the mountains have one of
Georgia’s wettest areas. High areas get more than
80 inches of rain each year. The mountains also have
valleys, gorges, and waterfalls.

The enormous Tallulah Gorge is

waterfall at a canyon carved
Amicalola Falls by the Tallulah
drops over River. It has six
730 feet from waterfalls that
a towering cliff cascade down
in Georgia’s the gorge.
Chattahoochee
National Forest.

The Blue Ridge Mountains are named for their color—its peaks and ridges often ap-
pear covered in a soft blue haze. Millions of years of erosion have rounded the moun-
tains and formed rich soils that grow thick forests of laurel, maple, and pine.

Living in these forests are black bears, white-tailed deer, foxes, raccoons, opossums,
birds (warbler, nuthatch, and woodpecker), salamanders, beavers, bobcats, and river
trout.

Longleaf White- Black Bear

Mountain Laurel Pine Tailed
Deer

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 STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF
GEORGIA

Look Out

The Cherokee rose is the official state flower. The

live oak is the official state tree.

Piedmont Habitat
The Piedmont region has low rolling hills. Piedmont Cherokee Live Oak
means “foot of the mountain.” Forests, lakes, and Rose State State Tree
rivers spread out on a sloping plateau from the Flower
mountains to the coastal area. It is located between
the coastal plain and the mountains in the northern half of Georgia. The Piedmont
has many of the same trees as the mountain region. The biggest difference between
the Piedmont region and the mountain region is that the Piedmont has warmer
temperatures because it is not as high as the mountain region.

The Piedmont had lost its forest when settlers cut it down hundreds of years ago.
This caused erosion and exposed the Georgia red clay soil. Eventually pine trees, like
those in the mountains, grew back. Live oak and dogwood are also common in this
area. The Piedmont is home to a variety of animals including the white-tailed deer,
raccoon, rattlesnake, and the brown thrasher (state bird).

Pine Dogwood Raccoon Rattlesnake Brown

Thrasher
State
Compare Habitats: The mountain and the Piedmont habitats have some Bird
things that are different and some elements in com-
mon. Compare these two habitats by drawing a double Piedmont Mountain
bubble diagram. Write their common features where the
bubbles overlap, and the features that are typical of just
the mountain habitat on the right and those just for the
Piedmont on the left.

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 STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF
GEORGIA
Coastal Habitat
Georgia’s coast is made up of sandy beaches, wetlands, and
barrier islands. The coastline of Georgia is almost 110 miles long.
In Georgia, a chain of low islands called the Sea Islands lies just
off the mainland. Unique to the coastal area are the Carolina
bays with cypress and gum ponds that are important inland
wetlands.

The barrier islands also serve as a habitat for animals along the
Coastal Plains. They protect the beaches by blocking wind, sand, and water that may
wear down the mainland.
The Longleaf Pine-Wiregrass habitat is also unique to the Coastal Plains and among
the most endangered in the United States. Other large trees include live oaks with
Spanish moss, magnolias, and palms. On the beaches, sea oats grow on the dunes
and help prevent erosion. Common coastal animals are the brown thrasher, sea gull,
plover, ghost crab, and gopher tortoise (state reptile).

Longleaf Pine Live Oak With Ghost Crab Gopher Tortoise

Spanish Moss State Reptile
Marsh/Swamp Habitat
Marshes and swamps are found in the coastal plains. The
Okefenokee Swamp, the largest swamp in the United States,
is located in southern Georgia. Part of the Okefenokee is a bog
(mossy wetland) where you can shake trees by stomping on the
ground!
Common plants are marsh grasses, cypress trees, giant tupelo
trees, and pitcher plants. Animals include the American alligator,
sandhill crane, water moccasin snake, and the green tree frog (state amphibian).

Water American Green

Tupelo Tree Moccasin Alligator Tree Frog
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 STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF
GEORGIA
Ocean Habitat
The Atlantic Ocean off Georgia’s southeastern coast is a saltwater habitat. This
habitat is home to shrimp, sea turtles, sea stars, tarpon, redfish, lobster, flounder,
and sea trout. The right whales, the state marine mammal, can also be seen off the
Georgia coast because they give birth to their calves there. The Gray’s Reef National
Marine Sanctuary is a living coral reef with sea stars and sand dollars. Seaweed,
seagrass, and algae also grow in the ocean.

Sea Turtle Starfish on Gray’s Right Whale

Reef State Marine
Mammal

Look Out

The Atlantic Ocean near Georgia is warmer than most oceans in the world. Georgia’s
offshore waters are unique and play important environmental roles. They lie along the
route many animals use to move from one place to another.

What Do You Think?

Make a hanging mobile of the five habitats of Georgia. On each hanging piece, draw
a background (such as a mountain forest or ocean water) and at least one plant and
one animal from that habitat. Label each hanging piece with the name of the habitat.
At the top of the mobile, place a sign: “Habitats of Georgia.”

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 STEMscopedia: HABITATS OF
GEORGIA

Connecting With Your Child

Habitat Field Trip
To help your child compare the differ-
ent habitats of Georgia, use the map on
page 201 to plan a family field trip to one
or more of the habitats your child has
not yet seen.
Write ahead to that area’s tourist office
for brochures on the wildlife refuge, sanc-
tuary, state parks, conservatory, zoo,
aquarium, and museums that you
could visit.
The Internet is a good source for re-
search together when you have selected
the area you want to visit. As your child
develops questions about the plant and
animal life and the environments in which
they live, make a list of the questions to
ask the experts when you arrive.
Here are some questions to discuss with
your child:
1. How is this habitat different from where
you live?
2. How have the plants and animals
adapted to this habitat?
3. Why do you think the plants and ani-
mals do well in this habitat?
4. Could these plants and animals live in
a different habitat? Why? Why not?
5. Are any of the plants or animals on the
“endangered” list to be protected?
6. Which habitat was your favorite and
why?

Collect pictures and articles on that habi-

tat for making a scrapbook of your child’s
experience. Your child can also make a
photo journal of the habitat to share with
others.

If you have relatives who live in other

parts of Georgia, contact them for help
with this project. Perhaps they could send
brochures and pictures of the habitat in
their area.

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