Chumash Habitats

A habitat is a place that has water, sun, soil and air, which are needed for life.
Plants make there own food. Herbivores eat plants. Carnivores eat
Herbivores. That is known as the food chain. Animals that eat plants
And meat is called omnivores. Scavengers eat dead plants and
Animals. Mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and fish are
Other animal groups.

Scrub oak was the most important chaparral plant to the Chumash. The scrub oak made acorns which they ate the most. Chaparral grows on top of canyons. They also made food from toyon and sage. Chumash hunted brush rabbit, mule deer, western fence lizard, western rattle snake and the ceanothus silk moth. The Chumash ate sharks, fish, whales, seagulls and the octupus. The coyote and the sword fish where an important religious symbol.

At the mouth of the Santa Maria River is the fresh water marsh. Plants make food and shelter for birds and other animals by the marsh. You can also see the California least tern, mule deer, the gray fox, and the long tailed weasel. Plants in the marsh are willows to make huts and tule for making hut's walls, and to make baskets, mats, and ceremonial skirts.

Summary by S.S.

Resources

Third Grade Santa Maria Curriculum Binder

Plants get food from themselves
 

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