Swamps and marshes are located in the Coastal Plain region of Georgia, with the largest being the Okefenokee Swamp. Swamps have a hot, wet, and humid climate with dark, soft soil that is covered in water. Animals that live in swamps, like alligators, snakes, birds, turtles and frogs, have adaptations like webbed feet and the ability to live on both land and water. Plants in swamps, such as cypress trees, pitcher plants and cattails, have adaptations like roots that can grow above or below water and stems and leaves that can withstand wet conditions and temperature variations.

1. Georgia Habitats: Swamp/Marsh
3rd Grade Life Science
Standard: S3L1a

2. Standards
Life Science S3L1. Students will investigate the habitats of different
organisms and the dependence of organisms on their habitat.
a. Differentiate between habitats of Georgia (mountains,
marsh/swamp, coast, Piedmont, Atlantic Ocean) and the organisms
that live there.
b. Identify features of green plants that allow them to live and thrive
in different regions of Georgia.
c. Identify features of animals that allow them to live and thrive in
different regions of Georgia.
d. Explain what will happen to an organism if the habitat is changed.

3. Swamps and
Marshes

4. Location:
• Swamps in Georgia is located in the
Coast Plain region.
The most important Georgia swamp and
largest in the nation is the
Okefenokee Swamp
Swamps/Marshes
Atlantic Ocean

5. A swamp is an area of land covered
in shallow water with plants and
trees growing in and around it.

6. The swamps/marshes have a climate that is hot,
wet and humid – warm all year with very soft soil.

7. It’s covered in water and soft land

8. What’s special about swamp water?
• It’s dark!!!!

9. Animals in region:
Includes, but not limited to:
• 35 kinds of snakes (5 poisonous)
• Alligators wading birds (herons, ibis, egrets, and wood storks)
• ducks
• snapping turtles
• Bullfrogs
• fish

10. Animal features that allow them to live and
thrive:
• Birds have long legs and long beaks.
• Waterproof skin.
• Animals can live in both land and water.
• Webbed feet for moving in water.

11. Swamp animal features

12. Plants in region:
Includes, but not limited to:
• cypress trees
• Spanish moss
• Cattails
• water lilies
• pitcher plants (can only be found in swamps)
• bladderworts

13. Plant features that allow them to live and
thrive:
• Plants that thrive in wet conditions.
• Flexible stems with floating leaves (lilies) that can withstand water
movement.
• Grow roots above water for additional support (cypress trees).
• Deep roots and roots that can grow underwater to anchor plants.
• Plants endure extreme variations in temperature above and below
water.
• Plants in poor soil get nutrients from other sources, including animals
(pitcher plants).

14. Plant Features

15. Questions