Edges are where different plant communities meet. Like a pine tree forest and a grassy meadow or a young forest and a mature forest. Edges are great places for watching wildlife. Animals have a richer habitat because they can use both communities. Elk are a good example. They like to feed in a meadow. But they find cover in the nearby forest.

"Habitat" is an animal's home. Habitats are everywhere. Even rocky slopes high on mountainsides are habitat for some animals, although not many plants grow there. A livable habitat offers the right combination of cover, adequate food and water, space, and tolerable climate.

One part of habitat that all animals need is cover. Cover is just what it sounds like - a shelter. It's a place where animals can hide, rest, and raise young unseen by other animals or humans.

Space is how much area an animal species uses for feeding or roaming. Each animal species needs a different amount of space. Space limits the number of animals that can live in one area.

Food is the most important part of habitat. All animals need food. Most animals need water to drink. Some need it to live in, like fish or beavers.

An animal's habitat needs may change seasonally. Let's use elk as an example again. They like to spend the summer in high elevation forests where it's cooler. In the winter, they move to lower elevations where food is easier to find.