Animal Adaptations

Have you ever wondered how animals

are able to survive in the wild?

Animals have certain

adaptations that help them to

survive.

I. What is an adaptation?

A. An adaptation is a change in an animal’s

physical structure or behavior that helps an animal

to survive in their habitat. Examples: The shape of a bird’s beak, number of fingers and

toes, or the color of an animal’s fur.

B. Physical adaptations do not develop during

one lifetime, but over many generations.

II. Physical

adaptations

A. are body structures

that allow an animal to

find and consume food,

defend itself, and survive

in its environment.

© A. Weinberg

Physical adaptation

Camouflage (use of color in a surrounding)

The chameleon can change its color to match its surroundings. Can you

do that?

Mimicry- (looking or sounding like another living organism)

The Viceroy butterfly uses mimicry to look like the Monarch butterfly. Can

you tell them apart?

Poisonous

Not poisonous

Physical adaptation

I’m the Monarch!

I’m the Viceroy!

Chemical defenses (like venom, ink,

spines, sprays)

Physical adaptation

Body coverings & parts (claws, beaks, feet,

armor plates, skulls, teeth)

Physical adaptations

The elephant’s trunk is a physical adaptation that helps it to clean itself,

eat, drink, and to pick things up.

Now let’s learn about

Behavioral Adaptations…

Behavioral Adaptations allow

animals to respond to life

needs.

Behavioral

Adaptations are

animals’ actions.

We can divide Behavioral Adaptations

into two groups:

Instinctive Learned

These behaviors happen naturally & don’t have to be

learned.

These behaviors must be taught.

Instinctive

behaviors happen naturally

& don’t need to

be learned

=

4. Finding shelter

1. Methods of

gathering & storing

food

2. Defending

oneself

3. Hibernating

5.Migrating

1.Migration B. Animals migrate for

different reasons.

better climate

better food

safe place to live

go back to the place they were born.

a. This is when behavioral adaptation that involves an animal or group of animals moving from one region to another and then back again.

2. Hibernation This is deep sleep in which animal’s body

temp droops, body activities are slowed to conserve energy.

Ex. Bats, woodchucks & bears.

Estivation

A summer sleep

Animals rests in cool or shady areas.

Ex – snails, earthworms, bees, snakes

Learned

behaviors Obtained by

interacting with the

environment and

cannot be passed

on to the next

generation except

by teaching.

=

B.Mammals

1. Endothermic or

warm-blooded

A. All have some type of

“hair”

1.Some are very specialized,

such as white polar bear fur

C. Birds

1. Leg Length

Roseate Spoonbill

(top right)

2. Foot Webbing

Laughing Gull

(top left)

3. Beak Shape

Long Billed Curlew

(bottom)

D. Reptiles

1. Ectothermic or

cold- blooded

2. Scales

3. Some undergo

hibernation and

estivation

4. Lay eggs on land

5. Leg structure and

position

E. Amphibians

1. Ectothermic

2. Lay eggs in water

3. Partially of fully

webbed feet

4.Have lungs or can

absorb oxygen

through their skin

F. Animal Defense

1. Some animals use these methods of defense to protect themselves:

a. Camouflage

Snake

b. Mimicry

Mexican Milk Snake

c. Bright colors

Skunk and Poison Arrow Frog

d. “Hair” projections

Hedgehog quills

Example of Adaptation

The shape of an animal’s teeth is related to its diet. Herbivores, such as

deer, have many molars(dull teeth) for chewing tough grass and plants.

Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat.

Arctic fox Snowshoe rabbit Caribou Brown Bear

Bat Squirrel Frog Arctic wolf

Geese Whale Snowy owl Butterfly

Click on each picture in order to read about that animal in winter.

In winter, an Arctic fox’s fur turns white to blend in with the snow. Arctic foxes CAMOUFLAGE.

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In winter, an Arctic wolf’s fur turns white to blend in with the snow. Arctic wolves CAMOUFLAGE.

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In winter, a snowy owl’s feathers turn white to blend in with the snow. Snowy owls CAMOUFLAGE.

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In winter, a snowshoe rabbit’s fur turns white to blend in with the snow. Snowshoe rabbits CAMOUFLAGE.

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In winter, geese fly south to warmer weather. Geese MIGRATE.

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In winter, whales swim south to warmer water. Whales MIGRATE.

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In winter, caribou travel to warmer places. Caribou MIGRATE.

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In winter, butterflies fly to warmer places. Butterflies MIGRATE.

Now it’s time for a sorting activity.

In winter, squirrels fall into a deep sleep until spring time. Squirrels HIBERNATE.

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In winter, some bears fall into a deep sleep until spring time. Some bears HIBERNATE.

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In winter, bats fall into a deep sleep until spring time. Bats HIBERNATE.

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In winter, frogs fall into a deep sleep until spring time. Frogs HIBERNATE.

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