Changing Populations Question: Why do populations change? Visual Aid for Kamico Activity “Changing Populations” Answer: To SURVIVE!!

SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATIONS

GALAPAGOS ISLAND FINCHES  Charles Darwin discovered finches while visiting the Galapagos Islands  There were 14 types on the island  They have adapted their beaks to suit their habitat.  Why? Survival

Eastern Spade foot Toad  Lives in Blackland Prairies of North America (A very dry place)  In a drought, it digs into the ground and covers himself with soil  While in the soil, his skin will absorb water.  He needs the water to reproduce and SURVIVE Look at his spade-shaped feet!

Green Anoles  Live in Florida  Changed skin color from green to brown to blend in with tree trunks  Cuban anole forced them to migrate to tops of trees  Adapted by changing to a different habitat for SURVIVAL Can you see me?

LESS SUCCESSFUL ADAPTATIONS

American Buffalo  Millions of buffalo roamed prairies from Texas to North Dakota  Pioneers moved into their habitat  They were not able to adapt  Are critically endangered due to intro of humans as predators and reduction of habitat

American Bald Eagles  Pesticide use by humans has decreased their numbers  They ate prey which had consumed plants/insects coated with pesticides.  They are at the top of their food chain, so pesticides would accumulate in their bodies  It would then pass to their eggs

Passenger Pigeon  There used to be so many they would turn the sky dark when they flew by  Lived in N. America  Hardwood forests were cleared for agriculture  Lost their habitat  Did not survive the change and thus are extinct

Questions  Follow up with the (10) “Changing Populations Activity” questions from Kamico p