Adapting to life in the Tropical Rainforest. Plants and animals often have unique talents and special methods for surviving and adapting to life in the Tropical Rainforests. In today’s lesson you are going to think about designing your own plant for survival in the often harsh South American Rainforest.

Adaptations Success Criteria You will be able to describe how plants/animals are adapted to suit their environment. You will be able to explain the reasons why plants/animals are adapted in the way that they are. You will be begin to select appropriate adaptations for plants/animals in the rainforest.

Starter: Firstly though, lets take a few minutes to try and imagine what it must be like to be there. Listen to the short clip of the rainforest sounds and try to imagine you are there. (it works best if you close your eyes) Write down the first 3 things that spring to your mind. Or write a sentence to describe what you heard, see, smell or how you feel etc. http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/images-of-a-tropical-rainforest-biome/3205.html

First task: Play ‘Noughts and Crosses’ with your partner. You can only put a nought or a cross over the image if you can describe what the adaptation of the plant/animal might be. If you can explain too, then that’s even better. Eg- Describe- ‘has large leaves’ Explain ‘ to catch lots of water and sunlight’

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1 Certain plants have big leaves to catch lots of water and sunlight.

2 Many insects will try and imitate other species to look more threatening . Like this beetle, which is trying to look like a wasp. Would you touch it?

3 This frog has developed special pads or suckers on its feet to help it move easily through the rainforest. It is also brightly coloured . Why?

4 Big ears will help when listening for predators.

5 A butterfly or an owl?

6 The flying squirrel can glide easily from tree to tree.

7 Large trees have developed these anchor like roots called buttress roots to help support them.

8 Strangler figs use other plants as their host.

The most famous disguise artist of them all The most famous disguise artist of them all. The chameleon can actually change its colour to blend in with its background. 9

Task 2: Selecting appropriate adaptations for the environment. Using red, yellow and green coloured pencils, colour the adaptations on the adaptation sheet that you think are most appropriate (green), might be appropriate (yellow), not appropriate (red)

Now it’s your turn! You could let your imagination run wild and design a unique never before seen plant, perhaps you want to use an existing species and adapt it slightly - it’s up to you!