* Temperature regulation: Shelter provides animals with a place to escape from extreme temperatures, both hot and cold.
* Protection from precipitation: Shelter protects animals from rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation.
* Protection from wind: Shelter can block the wind, providing animals with a place to rest and stay warm.
Protection from predators
* Physical barrier: Shelter can provide animals with a physical barrier between themselves and potential predators.
* Concealment: Shelter can help animals to conceal themselves from predators.
Protection from other animals
* Competition for resources: Shelter can provide animals with a place to store food and other resources, away from other animals that may try to steal them.
* Aggressive interactions: Shelter can provide animals with a place to retreat from aggressive interactions with other animals.
Provision of a place to rest
* Comfort: Shelter provides animals with a comfortable place to rest and sleep.
* Energy conservation: Shelter can help animals to conserve energy by providing them with a place to rest without having to expend energy on staying warm or dry.
Provision of a place to raise young
* Nesting sites: Shelter provides animals with a place to build nests and raise their young.
* Protection from the elements: Shelter protects young animals from the elements, such as extreme temperatures, precipitation, and wind.
* Protection from predators: Shelter can provide young animals with a physical barrier between themselves and potential predators.
Overall, shelter is an important resource for animals that provides them with protection from the elements, predators, and other animals, as well as a place to rest and raise their young.