Changing Populations

Question: Why do populations change?

Visual Aid for Kamico Activity “Changing Populations”

Answer: To SURVIVE!!

SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATIONS

GALAPAGOS ISLAND FINCHES

Charles Darwin discovered finches while visiting the Galapagos Islands

There were 14 types on the island

They have adapted their beaks to suit their habitat.

Why? Survival

Eastern Spade foot Toad

Lives in Blackland Prairies of North America (A very dry place)

In a drought, it digs into the ground and covers himself with soil

While in the soil, his skin will absorb water .

He needs the water to reproduce and SURVIVELook at h

is

spade-sh

aped

feet!

Green Anoles Live in Florida Changed skin

color from green to brown to blend in with tree trunks

Cuban anole forced them to migrate to tops of trees

Adapted by changing to a different habitat for SURVIVAL

Can you see me?

LESS SUCCESSFUL

ADAPTATIONS

American Buffalo Millions of buffalo

roamed prairies from Texas to North Dakota

Pioneers moved into their habitat

They were not able to adapt

Are critically endangered due to intro of humans as predators and reduction of habitat

American Bald Eagles Pesticide use by

humans has decreased their numbers

They ate prey which had consumed plants/insects coated with pesticides.

They are at the top of their food chain, so pesticides would accumulate in their bodies

It would then pass to their eggs

Passenger Pigeon There used to be so

many they would turn the sky dark when they flew by

Lived in N. America Hardwood forests were

cleared for agriculture Lost their habitat Did not survive the

change and thus are extinct

Questions Follow up with the (10) “Changing

Populations Activity” questions from Kamico p388-389