Adaptations

EQ: How can an organism’s structure, behavior, or physiological adaptations be used to predict if the organism can survive in a particular environment?

SPI 0807.5.2

What is an ADAPTATION?

• An adaptation is any characteristic that improves an individual’s ability to survive and reproduce in a particular environment.

• All species have experienced adaptation and will continue to slowly adapt as the next generations are born.

We can separate adaptations into 2 categories:

1. Physical adaptations- changes to body structures that allow an animal to find and consume food, defend itself, and to reproduce.

- Physical adaptations help an animal survive in its environment.

Examples of Physical Adaptations:

Chameleon: Camouflage- use of color in a surrounding

Woodpecker:

Sharply- pointed beak to

drill holes

Porcupine: quills to protect against predators

Duck: webbed feet

Mimicry(looking or sounding like another living

organism)

Chemical defenses (like venom, ink, sprays)

2. Behavioral adaptations- The way an animal acts or behaves to stay alive.

• Behavioral Adaptations allow animals to respond to life needs.

Snowy Egret: will stand still in the water with its wings stretched out, because fish are attracted to the shade.

Migration

Hibernation

1. Instinctive behaviors happen naturally (passed on genetically) and don’t need to be taught or learned.

Examples: Methods of gathering & storing food, defending oneself, hibernating, migrating, raising young, finding shelter, etc.

We can divide Behavioral Adaptations into two groups:

Examples of Instinctive Behaviors:

2. Learned Behaviors

• Learned behaviors come from experience and are not present in an animal at its birth.

• They are not born knowing how to do these things.

Examples of Learned Behaviors

Instinctive or Learned?

AdaptationsPhysical Adaptations

Behavioral Adaptations

Learned BehaviorInstinctive Behavior

How do these adaptations occur?

• Discovery Channel Adaptations

• How Animals DO That

Natural Selection:

All organisms need to reproduce to survive. The successful organisms pass on the genetic information of the surviving species from generation to generation.

Mutations

Galapagos IslandsCharles Darwin

The Galapagos Islands

The Galapagos Finches: An Example of Natural Selection

1. The animal name2. One adaptation3. How this adaptation helps it to

survive

What to write in each box:

1. Find 1 physical adaptations. Write a “P” on that square.

2. Find 1 behavioral adaptations. Write a “B” on that square.

3. Find 1 instinctive behavior. Write an “I” on that square.

4. Find 1 learned behavior. Write an “L” on that square.

Whiteboard Review

Adaptation Applications: Lions

• Why are the eyes of a lion set in front of the head rather than on the sides?

• Answer: Eyes in front of the head allow for depth perception and ability to judge distances when hunting.

Adaptation Applications: Lions

• What is the purpose of the mane on a male lion? What is the reason for the lion’s color?

A thick mane helps the male to appear larger and serves as protection for the throat. The tawny brown coat color camouflages the animal and young among vegetation.

Adaptation Applications: Giraffe

• Why are giraffes able to go for long periods of time without water?

• Answer: Giraffes drink water when available, but can go weeks without it. They rely on morning dew and the water content of their food.

Adaptation Applications: Giraffe

• How are their long necks adapted to their lifestyle?

• Answer: This extra length is thought to have adapted to help the giraffe spot predators and other giraffes in the distance. Interestingly, giraffes and humans have the same number of vertebrate in their necks.

Adaptation Applications: Zebras

• How do zebras defend themselves?

Capable of running up to 40 mph, zebras defend themselves by kicking and biting. Coloration also plays a role in evading predators, although theories have not reached an agreement.

Physical or Behavioral Adaptation?

Camouflage

Camouflage

Zebra

Their shiny coat reflects heat so they don’t get too hot or dehydrated.

Owl- Camouflage

Owl Powerful talons are used to grab prey.

OwlThey hoot to warn each other of danger.

ZebraThe familiesalways staytogether andthey never getlost. This helpskeep them safe.

OWL

They usually do not make their nests but use nests from other birds which makes it easy to move from one place to another.

Zebra

Kicks animals or runs away quickly to stay safe

Alligator

They have a membrane to protect their eyes.

Alligator

Baby alligators make a loud sound if they are in trouble.

Great White Shark

Its grey body blends in to the top of the water and its white blends into the sand

Gorilla

Gorillas have fingers to pick up food and babies

Gorillas

• They walk on all fours using their knuckles on the ground so they can run really fast because they do not climb trees

Alligator

Alligators have green skin that help them blend in with the swampy water.

Great White Sharks

Their bodies don’t have bones only cartilage which helps them move faster through the water