Seasonal Changes in Plants and Animals

Some trees in the northern states lose their leaves in the winter, while in Florida they keep them all year. What is most likely the reason for this difference?

• The winters in Florida are milder for the trees.

• The trees in Florida get less sun all year round.

• The soil in Florida has more nutrients for the trees.

• The trees in the northern states originally came from Florida.

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Which of these is more common in the winter in Florida than in winter in the northern states?

• Flowers blooming

• Animals Hibernating

• Birds leaving the area

• Trees loosing their leaves

Which of the following is true for Florida but not the northern states?

• The days are shorter in winter than in summer.

• The weather is cooler in winter than in summer.

• There is less need for animals to migrate or hibernate in the winter.

• There is less water available for plants to make their own food in the winter.

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In colder regions, the fur of some animals’ changes to white during winter months so that the animal can better hide from predators. Animals in Florida do not experience this type of seasonal change, for which of the following reasons?

• Animals in Florida are faster runners.

• There are no predators in Florida.

• Florida days are longer in winter.

• It rarely snows in Florida.

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Many bird species time the laying of their eggs so when the babies hatch, there is plenty of food available. Look at the map below. What best explains why the birds in the northern states all lay their eggs in the spring while the bird in Florida lays its eggs all year round?

• The birds in the northern states are all in the same family and decided to lay their eggs at the same time so their babies will be the same age.

• The birds in the northern states know that food will be available in the spring and summer but not in the fall and winter.

• Birds in Florida aren’t able to communicate with birds in the northern states and don’t know when they are supposed to lay their eggs.

• The birds in Florida are stronger and can survive the winters.

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The chart below lists 4 different organisms and some characteristics about each one. Based on the information above, which of the organisms lives in Florida?

• Canadian Geese

• Maple Tree

• vole

• Seagrape

Every year during winter, Landon notices an increase in migratory birds where he lives in Florida. He has learned that some birds from norther states fly south for the winter.

What do the birds that live in Florida do while the northern birds migrate in the winter?

• They fly north to replace the birds that flew south.

• They stay in Florida.

• They fly even farther south.

• They fly to the west to get out of the way of the birds flying south.