1. Provided by: City of Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History
Animal Adaptations
Provided by:
City of Corpus Christi
Museum of Science and History

2. Our Standard
Identify physical and behavioraladaptations that enable animals such as amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and, mammals to survive in a particular environment.

3. Have you ever wondered how animals are able to survive in the wild?
Animals have certain adaptations that help them to survive.

4. I. What is an adaptation?
A. An adaptation is a change in an animal’s physical structure or behavior that helps an animal to survive in their habitat.
Examples: The shape of a bird’s beak, number of fingers and toes, or the color of an animal’s fur.
B. Physical adaptations do not develop during one lifetime, but over many generations.

5. Think about the way you dress in the winter.
You don’t wear your shorts and bathing suit when it’s snowing outside!
You wear warm clothes, and maybe even a hat and mittens to protect yourself from the weather.

6. And what if you are having a snowball fight?
You probably run away from the person throwing at you, and maybe even try to sneak up on that person and throw some snowballs!

7. The way you dress in the winter, as well as the way that you run and hide from someone throwing snow at you are kinds of …
Adaptations.

8. II. Physical adaptations
A. are body structures that allow an animal to find and consume food, defend itself, and to reproduce its species.
Hey! I’m a walking stick. I look just like a stick you’d find on the ground.
B. Physical adaptations help an animal survive in its environment.
© A. Weinberg

9. C. Camouflage (use of color in a surrounding)
Physical adaptation
C. Camouflage (use of color in a surrounding)
The chameleon can change its color to match its surroundings. Can you do that?

10. (looking or sounding like another living organism)
Physical adaptation
D. Mimicry-
(looking or sounding like another living organism)
The Viceroy butterfly uses mimicry to look like the Monarch butterfly. Can you tell them apart?
I’m the Viceroy!
Not poisonous
Poisonous
I’m the Monarch!

11. E. Chemical defenses (like venom, ink, sprays)
Physical adaptation
E. Chemical defenses (like venom, ink, sprays)

12. Physical adaptations
F. Body coverings & parts (claws, beaks, feet, armor plates, skulls, teeth)
The elephant’s trunk is a physical adaptation that helps it to clean itself, eat, drink, and to pick things up.

13. III. Behavioral Adaptations…
Now let’s learn about
III. Behavioral Adaptations…
A. Behavioral Adaptations allow animals to respond to life needs.

14. B. Behavioral Adaptations are animals’ actions.
Remember that Physical Adaptations are body structures.
C. Each organism has unique methods of adapting to its environment by means of different actions.

15. We can divide Behavioral Adaptations into two groups:
Instinctive
Learned
These behaviors happen naturally & don’t have to be learned.
These behaviors must be taught.

16. = D. Instinctive behaviors happen naturally & don’t need to be learned
1. Methods of gathering & storing food
3. Hibernating
2. Defending oneself
4. Finding shelter
5. Raising young
6.Migrating

17. 1.Migration B. Animals migrate for different reasons.
better climate
better food
safe place to live
safe place to raise young
go back to the place they were born.
a. This is when behavioral adaptation that involves an animal or group of animals moving from one region to another and then back again. 
Migration-is the behavioral adaptation that involves an animal or group of animals moving from one region to another and then back again. 
Animals migrate for different reasons.  The reasons are as follows.
better climate
better food
safe place to live
safe place to raise young
go back to the place they were born.

18. 2. Hibernation
A.This is deep sleep in which animal’s body temp droops, body activities are slowed to conserve energy.
B. E.g. Bats, woodchucks & bears.
Hibernation- is a deep sleep in which an animal's body temperature drops to about the temperature of the environment.  Body activities, such as heartbeat and breathing are slowed causing the animal to need very little food. 
Animals that hibernate are 
bats 
woodchucks
snakes 
bears.
During the hibernation the animals live off of the fat that is stored in their body. 

19. E. Learned behaviors
Obtained by interacting with the environment and cannot be passed on to the next generation except by teaching. =

20. IV.Who experiences adaptations?
A. All species have experienced adaptation and will continue to slowly adapt as the next generations are born.

21. B.Mammals 1. Endothermic or warm-blooded
A. All have some type of “hair”
1.Some are very specialized, such as white polar bear fur
B. Method of locomotion
C. Care for young

22. C. Birds 1. Leg Length 2. Foot Webbing 3. Beak Shape
Roseate Spoonbill (top right)
2. Foot Webbing
Laughing Gull (top left)
3. Beak Shape
Long Billed Curlew (bottom)

24. D. Reptiles 1. Ectothermic or cold- blooded 2. Scales
3. Some undergo hibernation and estivation
4. Lay eggs on land
5. Leg structure and position

25. E. Amphibians 1. Ectothermic 2. Lay eggs in water
3. Partially of fully webbed feet
4.Have lungs or can absorb oxygen through their skin

26. F. Animal Defense
1. Some animals use these methods of defense to protect themselves:
a. Camouflage
Snake
b. Mimicry
Mexican Milk Snake
c. Bright colors
Skunk and Poison Arrow Frog
d. “Hair” projections
Hedgehog quills

27. E. Shells
F. Tentacles- like jelly fish
G. Sounds- like roar of a lion.
H. Spines
I. Antlers
J. Claws
K. Thorns
L. Horns
M. Odor

28. Example of Adaptation
The shape of an animal’s teeth is related to its diet.
Herbivores, such as deer, have many molars(dull teeth) for chewing tough grass and plants.
Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat.

29. What Do These Animals Do In Winter?
What Do These Animals Do In Winter?
Click on each picture in order to read about that animal in winter.
Brown Bear
Snowshoe rabbit
Caribou
Arctic fox
Bat
Squirrel
Frog
Arctic wolf
Geese
Snowy owl
Whale
Butterfly

30. In winter, an Arctic fox’s fur turns white to blend in with the snow.
Arctic Fox
In winter, an Arctic fox’s fur turns
white to blend in with the snow.
Arctic foxes CAMOUFLAGE.
Keep Going

31. In winter, an Arctic wolf’s fur turns white to blend in with the
Arctic Wolf
In winter, an Arctic wolf’s fur
turns white to blend in with the
snow. Arctic wolves CAMOUFLAGE.
Keep Going

32. In winter, a snowy owl’s feathers
Snowy Owl
In winter, a snowy owl’s feathers
turn white to blend in with the snow.
Snowy owls CAMOUFLAGE.
Keep Going

33. In winter, a snowshoe rabbit’s fur turns white to blend in with the
Snowshoe Rabbits
In winter, a snowshoe rabbit’s fur
turns white to blend in with the
snow. Snowshoe rabbits
CAMOUFLAGE.
Keep Going

34. In winter, geese fly south to warmer weather. Geese MIGRATE.
Geese
In winter, geese fly south to
warmer weather. Geese
MIGRATE.
Keep Going

35. In winter, whales swim south to warmer water. Whales MIGRATE.
Whales
In winter, whales swim south to
warmer water. Whales MIGRATE.
Keep Going

36. In winter, caribou travel to warmer places. Caribou MIGRATE.
Caribou
In winter, caribou travel to
warmer places. Caribou MIGRATE.
Keep Going

37. In winter, butterflies fly to warmer places. Butterflies MIGRATE.
Butterflies
In winter, butterflies fly to
warmer places. Butterflies
MIGRATE.
Now it’s time for a sorting activity.

38. In winter, squirrels fall into a deep sleep until spring time.
Squirrels
In winter, squirrels fall into a
deep sleep until spring time.
Squirrels HIBERNATE.
Keep Going

39. In winter, some bears fall into a deep sleep until spring time.
Bears
In winter, some bears fall into a
deep sleep until spring time.
Some bears HIBERNATE.
Keep Going

40. In winter, bats fall into a deep sleep until spring time.
Bats
In winter, bats fall into a
deep sleep until spring time.
Bats HIBERNATE.
Keep Going

41. In winter, frogs fall into a deep sleep until spring time.
Frogs
In winter, frogs fall into a
deep sleep until spring time.
Frogs HIBERNATE.
Keep Going

42. Now It's Your Turn! I Camouflage I Hibernate
Now It's Your Turn!
Sort the winter animals into the boxes below.
I Camouflage
I Hibernate
I Migrate

43. Polar Bears

44. Polar Bears

45. Thick warm, white fur coat
Polar Bears
Thick warm, white fur coat

46. Polar Bears Thick warm, white fur coat Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.

47. Polar Bears Thick warm, white fur coat Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.

48. Polar Bears Thick warm, white fur coat Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws

49. Polar Bears Large Paws Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
Thick warm, white fur coat
Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws
Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
on the snow.

50. Polar Bears Large Paws Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
Thick warm, white fur coat
Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws
Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
on the snow.

51. Polar Bears Large Paws Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
Thick warm, white fur coat
Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws
Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
on the snow.

52. Polar Bears Little eyes Large Paws
Thick warm, white fur coat
Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws
Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
on the snow.
Little eyes

53. Polar Bears Little eyes Keeps cold and icy snow blizzards out of their
Thick warm, white fur coat
Keeps the bear warm in below
freezing temperatures and allows
him to camouflage in the snow.
Large Paws
Produce an oil that stops his feet freezing
on the snow.
Little eyes
Keeps cold
and icy snow
blizzards
out of their
eyes.

54. Camels

55. Camels
Big, flat feet

56. Camels Big, flat feet Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

57. Camels Humps Big, flat feet Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

58. Camels Humps Camel can store a supply of water so it doesn’t have
to stop to drink
Big, flat feet
Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

59. Camels Humps Camel can store a Long eyelashes supply of water
so it doesn’t have
to stop to drink
Big, flat feet
Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

60. Camels Long eyelashes Humps Keeps sand from storms Camel can store a
and glaring sun from
camels eyes.
Humps
Camel can store a
supply of water
so it doesn’t have
to stop to drink
Big, flat feet
Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

61. Camels Long eyelashes Humps Keeps sand from storms Camel can store a
and glaring sun from
camels eyes.
Humps
Camel can store a
supply of water
so it doesn’t have
to stop to drink
Long Legs
Big, flat feet
Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

62. Camels Long eyelashes Humps Keeps sand from storms Camel can store a
and glaring sun from
camels eyes.
Humps
Camel can store a
supply of water
so it doesn’t have
to stop to drink
Help to move across
Long Legs
the dessert quicker
and keeps the sand
off the camels
stomach.
Big, flat feet
Enable camels to walk on the sand
without sinking into it.

63. Humans adapt to suit their climate
and surroundings.

64. Humans Humans adapt to suit their climate and surroundings.
In the summer we wear thin clothes, drink plenty of
water, and keep our selves in the shade.

65. Humans Humans adapt to suit their climate and surroundings.
In the summer we wear thin clothes, drink plenty of
water, and keep our selves in the shade.
In the winter we have to wrap up warm, eat warm
food and drink hot drinks.

66. Adaptation Applications: Lions
Why are the eyes of a lion set in front of the head rather than on the sides?
Answer: Eyes in front of the head allow for depth perception and ability to judge distances when hunting.

67. Adaptation Applications: Lions
What is the purpose of the mane on a male lion? What is the reason for the lion’s color?
A thick mane helps the male to appear larger and serves as protection for the throat. The tawny brown coat color camouflages the animal and young among vegetation.

68. Adaptation Applications: Giraffe
Why are giraffes able to go for long periods of time without water?
Answer: Giraffes drink water when available, but can go weeks without it. They rely on morning dew and the water content of their food.

69. Adaptation Applications: Giraffe
How are their long necks adapted to their lifestyle?
Answer: This extra length is thought to have evolved to help the giraffe spot predators and other giraffes in the distance. Interestingly, giraffes and humans have the same number of vertebrate in their necks.

70. Adaptation Applications: Zebras
How do zebras defend themselves?
Capable of running up to 40 mph. Zebras defend themselves by kicking and biting. Coloration also plays a role in evading predators, although theories have not reached an agreement.

71. So what did some of these animals look like hundreds, thousands, or millions of years ago?
As you see the following pictures look at the similarities to a present day animal and what environment each of these would have lived in.

73. Baby Wooly Mammoth found in Russians Tundra beneath the permafrost in August 2011.

74. Mastodon

82. and other living things
Adapting to our
surroundings keeps us
and other living things
alive.