N4 Biology Unit 3 Life on Earth KA 3.5 Adaptations for survival

Adaptations for survivial Learning Intention: Identify and describe adaptations that plants and animals have which allows them to survive in their habitat. Success Criteria: Describe how a camel survives long journeys across the desert Explain why a polar bear is well adapted to its environment Describe how the beaks of birds are adapted to suit their food Describe the adaptations of a desert plant

What is an adaptation? Look at these animals. Each one has a feature which helps it to survive and reproduce in its environment. Identify the adaptation in each animal and say why it helps it survive. Animal adaptations 22 mins

Rabbit Long ears give good hearing, so it can hear a predator coming. Eyes on side of head to give a wide view, to spot predators. Quick reactions. Fast runner.

Camel Camels can tolerate dehydration better than other animals, so can survive without drinking water for long periods.

Bat Echo-location - Give out pulses of sound and listen for echoes Sharp teeth for killing small mammals Curl toes in when flying Thin skin between fingers to form wings Tail membrane for accurate steering Bats are adapted for agile flight and hunting at night. They are not birds, but mammals which have developed adaptations to allow them to fly like birds.

Lion The lion is a perfectly adapted hunter! Mane to protect neck in males when fighting Good eyesight to spot prey Sandy colour to camouflage against background Large canine teeth to kill prey Retractable claws to grab and hold prey Powerful limbs for fast running The lion is a perfectly adapted hunter!

Polar bear

Animal adaptations Complete the table. Animal Adaptations for survival Broad feet to stop it sinking into the sand. Special eyelids keep sand out. Can survive without water for weeks. Fur gives insulation and camouflage. Layer of fat to reduce heat loss from body. Good eyesight to hunt for prey. Fast runner. Sharp teeth to kill prey. Large ears to give good hearing to detect predators. Fast runner. Wings to allow it to catch flying insects. Echo-location for flying at night.

Beak adaptations in birds Different birds have different shaped beaks. Why do you think this is?

Beak adaptations in birds Different birds eat different food, so need a special beak shape to be able to pick up or eat that food. An eagle eating a rabbit A pelican eating fish A finch eating seeds

Beak adaptations in eagles Eagles catch small mammals with their claws. They use their sharp beak to kill then eat the animal. The curved overhanging shape allows them to grip and tear flesh easier.

Beak adaptations in pelicans Pelicans dive into the water to catch fish. Their large scoop shaped beak means they can pick up many fish at one time.

Beak adaptations in finches Finches eat the seeds of many different types of plants. Their narrow beak allows them to find seeds in narrow places. The beak is strong enough to crack open the seeds. Glow clip: Adaptations

Plant adaptations Plants also have adaptations which help them to survive. Look at these examples, and discuss what adaptations each plant has - and why.

Plant adaptations Spines to deter predators from eating them. Leaves that can float and long stems- help plant get more light for photosynthesis. Hang over water, coconut seeds drop and float over ocean to new islands to germinate. Leaves able to close and trap insects to obtain nitrogen in poor soil.

Cactus adaptations Cactus plants have many adaptations to help them survive in the desert. There are many different types of cactus plant. Most have spines. They have no leaves, but have thick green stems. Some of them are tall and some are very small.

Cactus adaptations The spines reduce water loss and deter predators from eating the plant. The widespread root system allows the plant to soak up water quickly from a wide area when it does rain.

Behavioural adaptations The adaptations we have looked at so far are to do with the animal’s body – thick fur, sharp teeth etc. Some adaptations which help animals survive are instinctive or innate behaviours. Innate means that all animals of that species do this and they are born with it. Examples include birds like starlings flocking together for safety in numbers. The flock confuses predators who find it hard to focus on one bird.

Behavioural adaptations Other behavioural adaptations are: Desert rats only go out at night to feed – this avoids the extreme heat of the day. Some snakes play dead if there is a predator about – their predators will only eat a snake they have killed themselves. Penguins huddle together to keep warm, with their chicks in the middle for extra warmth and protection from predators.