Information on Animal Shelters

All animals prefer to stay in some shelters to protect themselves from the changing weather and from becoming prey. They make special shelters for themselves during the breeding season to protect their young that are more prone to danger. Some animals prefer to mark their own territory, which becomes easy for them to find food. The shelters of animals differ as per their needs and requirements. Information on animal shelters will help us know the various types of shelters of animals as well as their preferences, in case you adopt an animal or have a farm or a zoo.

Here's a list of a few very common shelters where animals are found:

• Nest: Birds live in nests. They usually build their nests during the breeding season, to lay eggs and care for their young. They use leaves, twigs, grass, to make their nest. Nests are built on trees, which are out of sight or reach of any other animals or birds. It makes one marvel at the fact that birds build beautiful nests just with its beak. Some nests are so wonderfully weaved, than even man cannot make such wonderful creations by using both the hands. The tailor bird literally stitches two leaves together beautifully to make a nest. The size and structure of nests depends upon the size of birds to breed their young. Hens and ducks, on a farm, are usually kept in a coop, for shelter.

• Animals such as lions and tigers stay in the open. They mark their own territories, which aids them to find food easily. They usually sit on trees or grasses to camouflage themselves for their prey. Some of them also stay in caves of mountains such as snow leopards.

• Cows and buffaloes stay in a shed instead of the open. They prefer to be shielded against the heat, cold and even rain. On a farm they are kept in separate cubicles to make them feel comfortable. This is also similar to horses that stay in stables.

• Pet animals, such as dogs and cats, stay in houses that are built by their masters, whereas some of their other breed such as wild dogs and foxes stay in burrows.

• Huge wild mammals, such as elephants and giraffes, stay in the forest with abundant open space for them to move freely. They are usually found near trees and grasses, where there is food in plenty and near water.

• Reptiles such as snakes, turtles and crocodiles, prefer to stay underground, where the mud is loose. They usually lay eggs in sand. They are mostly found near seas or places where there is water.

Animals usually like to stay in close proximity of nature, but it's not possible to give the same surrounding to them if they are attended by humans. For Example, the animals in zoo and circus are caged and treated as pets. The shelters of animals and location, depends upon what they eat, their lifestyle, changing weather, danger from other animals and feasibility to find their prey. The location of their shelters might vary during the breeding season.