Animal Adaptations

Have you ever wondered how animals are able to survive in the wild? Animals have certain adaptations that help them to survive.

Think about the way you dress in the winter. You don’t wear your shorts and bathing suit when it’s snowing outside! You wear warm clothes, and maybe even a hat and gloves to protect yourself from the weather.

And what if you were having a snowball fight? You probably run away from the person throwing at you, or maybe even try to sneak up on that person and throw snowballs at them!

The way you dress in the winter, as well as the way that you run and hide from someone throwing snow at you are kinds of...

Types of Adaptation Anything that helps an organism survive in its environment is an adaptation. Anything that helps an organism survive in its environment is an adaptation. It also refers to the ability of living things to adjust to different conditions within their environments. It also refers to the ability of living things to adjust to different conditions within their environments. Structural adaptations Structural adaptations Behavioural adaptations Behavioural adaptations Coloration adaptations Coloration adaptations Chemical adaptations Chemical adaptations

Structural adaptations A structural adaptation involves some part of an animal's body. A structural adaptation involves some part of an animal's body. Teeth Teeth Body coverings Body coverings Movement Movement

Behavior adaptations Behavior adaptations include activities that help an animal survive. Behavior adaptations include activities that help an animal survive. For example, a opossum plays dead, a rabbit freezes when it thinks it has been seen, a puffer fish fills its body with water. For example, a opossum plays dead, a rabbit freezes when it thinks it has been seen, a puffer fish fills its body with water.

Camouflage Camouflage is when animals use primarily color, but sometimes shape, to blend in with their environment Camouflage is when animals use primarily color, but sometimes shape, to blend in with their environment Their camouflage makes it hard for enemies to single out individuals. Their camouflage makes it hard for enemies to single out individuals.

Mimicry Mimicry allows one animal to look, sound, or act like another animal to fool predators into thinking it is poisonous or dangerous. Mimicry allows one animal to look, sound, or act like another animal to fool predators into thinking it is poisonous or dangerous. Fruit Mimicry by Parasite Worms Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Batesian Mimicry A harmless species has the same color pattern as a “bad” species A harmless species has the same color pattern as a “bad” species When the predator samples the “good” tasting organism, he doesn’t learn to avoid the species. However, when the predator samples the “bad” tasting organism, he does learn to avoid the species. When the predator samples the “good” tasting organism, he doesn’t learn to avoid the species. However, when the predator samples the “bad” tasting organism, he does learn to avoid the species. Robber Fly vs. Bumble Bee Coral Snake vs. King Snake

Mullerian Mimicry When two or more “bad” species look the same When two or more “bad” species look the same The predator samples one organism and learns to stay away The predator samples one organism and learns to stay away Monarch and Viceroy Butterflies Two species of wasp. Both have stingers.

Startling/Frightening Coloration When an organism typically has “hidden” eyespots that it may “flash” at a predator thereby surprising the predator When an organism typically has “hidden” eyespots that it may “flash” at a predator thereby surprising the predator Many creatures such as butterflies, moths, and fish possess two or more pairs of circular markings, often referred to as ‘eyespots’. Many creatures such as butterflies, moths, and fish possess two or more pairs of circular markings, often referred to as ‘eyespots’.

Warning Coloration Some combination of the colors black, yellow, red, and white are used which indicate the organism can either sting, bite, or is otherwise harmful Some combination of the colors black, yellow, red, and white are used which indicate the organism can either sting, bite, or is otherwise harmful

Chemical Adaptation Some animals use venom, sprays, or toxins from their skin to rid predators. Some animals use venom, sprays, or toxins from their skin to rid predators.