Life Cycles in Nature

Every living thing goes through a life cycle. A life cycle is the series of changes that a living thing goes through from birth to death. Some life cycles are short, lasting just days. Others can last hundreds of years.

Animal Life Cycles

Most animals start as eggs or babies. They grow into adults and have babies of their own. Some animals, like butterflies, change dramatically as they grow. Others, like horses, look like small versions of their parents from birth.

Plant Life Cycles

Plants start as seeds. The seed sprouts and grows into a young plant called a seedling. The plant grows bigger and eventually produces flowers. The flowers make seeds, and the cycle starts all over again. Some plants complete their life cycle in one season while others take many years.

Fun Facts

• A mayfly has one of the shortest life cycles. Adults live for only 24 hours.
• Some bristlecone pine trees have been alive for over 5,000 years.
• A chicken egg takes about 21 days to hatch.

Did You Know?

The life cycle of a star is millions or even billions of years long! Our sun is about halfway through its life cycle at around 4.6 billion years old.