Adaptation and Survival

Do you think a polar bear could survive in a desert? No. Polar bears have fur coats and swim in water, but deserts are dry.

Do you think a rain-forest plant could survive in the same environment as a cactus? Why? No Rain-forest plants need a lot of water to grow and it is very dry where a cactus lives.

Traits, or characteristics, that help them survive. What makes each of these organisms (polar bear and rain-forest plant) suited to its environment? Traits, or characteristics, that help them survive.

Adaptations An adaptation is any characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment. Types: Structural adaptations Behavioral adaptations

Structural Adaptations Structural adaptations are adjustments to internal or external physical structures. Examples are fur color, long limbs, strong jaws, and the ability to run fast. These can help organisms survive in certain environments.

Structural Adaptations The webbed feet of a duck helps it survive in water. This type of adaptation can protect organisms or enable them to hunt. Turtles have a shell for protection. Sharks have an excellent sense of smell and sharp teeth to help them catch food.

Behavioral Adaptations Behavioral adaptations are adjustments in an organism’s behavior. Examples: Wolves travel in packs to help them be able to hunt and capture large animals. Migration helps animals survive seasonal changes. Hibernation helps animals escape the cold. The animals remain inactive until the weather becomes warm.

Why are adaptations important to organisms? They help organisms survive their environments. How do organisms get adaptations? They inherit adaptations from their parent or parents when they reproduce.

How are structural adaptations and behavioral adaptations different? Structural adaptations have to do with the organism’s structure and behavioral adaptations are how the animal acts or behaves.

Adaptations of Cacti Spines (needles) to protect them from plant-eating animals. Thick stems to store water Large flowers to attract pollinators

Behavioral Adaptations of Elephants Form herds to protect their young Rest during the hottest part of the day Spray water on their backs to cool off Teach their young what to eat

Plant Adaptations Some plants have scented flowers to attract pollinators. Leaves to catch sunlight Roots to soak up water Some plants have waxy stems to prevent water loss such as a cacti. Tiny pores on their leaves called stomata that allow gases to enter and leave.

More Plant Adaptations Orchids, plants in the rain-forest, have adaptations to help them survive wet, hot temperatures. Orchid stems have storage organs called pseudobulbs that store water for the plant. The roots help secure it high in a tree and absorb water from the air. Drip-tip leaves help drain excess water.

More Plant Adaptations Some plant adaptations protect them from animals that want to eat them. Some plants produce chemicals that give them a bad taste. Some produce chemicals that are poisonous.

Animal Adaptations Adaptations can help animals survive in certain environments. Mammals living in cold climates have thick fur and extra body fat to keep them warm. Desert animals are nocturnal- they remain inactive during the hottest time of the day and become active during the night. Aquatic animals can move very fast underwater. Some can hold their breath for a long period of time or breath with gills.

More Animal Adaptations Skunks use chemicals to help being caught. Owls have adaptations that make them good hunters. Running fast helps animals avoid getting eaten like a gazelle.

Camouflage Camouflage is any coloring, shape, or pattern that allows an organism to blend in with its environment. Camouflage allows animals to sneak up on organisms that they are hunting or it helps organisms hide from predators.

Camouflage

Protective coloration A type of camouflage in which the color of an animal helps it blend in with its background. An arctic fox has a unique coat. During the winter it has a white coat that allows it to blend in with the snow. The coat changes color in the summer to blend in with plants and surroundings. Stripes on a tiger allows it to blend in with the grass and helps it hide from organisms it hunts.

Protective Resemblance This is matching the color, shape, and texture of an environment. A walking stick looks like a branch. A pipefish looks similar to sea grass.

Why do you think an owl has one ear higher than the other? It helps them distinguish where a sound comes from and how far away the sound is.

How is an owl able to fly silently? Special tips on the wing feathers muffle the sound of air rushing over the owl’s wings.

Mimicry Mimicry is an adaptation in which an animal resembles an unpleasant animal. A viceroy butterfly looks like a poisonous monarch butterfly and this helps keep it from getting eaten.