Polar Bear Adaptations

Adaptations are characteristics that help an organism to survive in its environment and/or reproduce.

Adaptations can be physical or behavioral, but all are involved with survival in an environment.

Physical Adaptations Feathers, fur and insulation Body shape Color Protection We’ll look at each of these in more detail on the following slides.

Feathers, Fur and Insulation One of the ways that animals are protected from weather conditions is through insulating feathers, fur or fat. The majority of tundra birds and mammals found in the Northern USA and Canada actually have 2 coats. Outer coats are generally water repellent, while inner coats generally trap and hold warm air. Many mammals from this area also have thick layers of blubber to keep them warm when temperatures are cold.

Body Shape Many tundra birds and mammals are larger and have smaller appendages than similar species in warmer climates. This body plan allows more heat to remain within the animal where it belongs, and less heat to escape into the environment.

Color Color is a tremendous benefit for many animals of the wild. For example, the artic fox and hare turn white in winter so they are camouflaged in the snow. In the beginning of summer, they shed their white coat and it is replaced with a brown one so that it may more easily blend in with a forest environment.

Protection Many animals have unique adaptations to protect them from predators, or to help to get food. Deer, elk and caribou have antlers that can be used for defense from enemies. Others may have hard outer coverings that serve as protection. How do the polar bears large feet help him?

Adaptations may be behavioral as well as physical.

Behavioral Adaptations Hibernation Protection Caching Migration Shelter We will discuss these more in depth over the next few pages.

Hibernation To avoid adverse weather conditions, some animals hibernate, or become dormant during the periods of worst weather. The black bear can withstand up to 100 days without eating, drinking, defacating, urinating or exercising

Protection. Most animals can protect themselves on a physical and behavioral level.

Caching The act of storing food for the winter is known as caching. Many animals, especially rodents, store food for the winter. Moose and bear also store fat in their bodies to prepare for a long winter.

Migration

Migration Many animals and birds migrate to more moderate climates during the winter. The arctic tern is known to migrate 22,000 miles on a yearly migration from their arctic breeding grounds to their wintering grounds in the Antarctic.

Migration Although some animals travel long distances to accommodate their needs, some animals like mountain goat and elk migrate locally. This means that they will go to lower elevations on the mountain(s) in which they live.

Shelter Many animals rely on living under the snow for protection. Snow crystals trap air and are therefore excellent insulators. Amazingly, temperatures under 7 inches of unpacked snow can be as much as 50 degrees warmer than at the surface.

Shelter Artic hare and fox take advantage of the snow and build dens for protection against the harsh arctic winters. Polar bears build dens as well, but generally cubs are not born until spring.

In summary… Adaptations are characteristics that enable an organism to survive in it’s environment and reproduce. Adaptations can be physical or behavioral.

In summary… All adaptations are related to the environment that an organism lives in. Physical adaptations can include… Feathers, fur and insulation Body Shape Color

In summary… Behavioral adaptations can include… Hibernation Caching Migration Shelter Protection can be both a physical and a behavioral adaptation.

Invent an Organism… If you were to “invent an organism”, you would need to first consider its environment… Decide upon an environment for your organism. Consider it’s temperature, moisture level, amount of sunlight, etc… See the Invent an Organism handout stored here… Use Biomes posters to explain various environment possibilities. Students decide which biome their animal will inhabit and write 3+ sentences explaining its temperature, moisture level, amount of sunlight, etc…