Animal Adaptations

Animal Adaptations

What is an adaptation?An adaptation is a change in an animal’s

physical structure or behavior that helps an animal 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.

Physical adaptations do not develop during one lifetime, but over many generations.

Example of AdaptationThe shape of an

animal’s teeth is related to its diet. ◦ Herbivores, such as

deer, have many molars for chewing tough grass and plants.

◦ Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat.

Who experiences adaptations?All species have experienced adaptation and

will continue to slowly adapt as the next generations are born.

We will identify certain species from each of these groups and the reasons for their success:◦ Mammals◦ Birds◦ Reptiles◦ Amphibians

MammalsEndothermic or warm-bloodedAll have some type of

“hair”◦ Some are very specialized,

such as white polar bear fur

Method of locomotionCare for young

BirdsLeg Length

◦ Roseate Spoonbill (top right)

Foot Webbing ◦ Laughing Gull (top

left)Beak Shape

◦ Long Billed Curlew (bottom)

ReptilesEctothermic or cold-

bloodedScalesSome undergo

hibernation and estivation

Lay eggs on landLeg structure and

position

AmphibiansEctothermicLay eggs in waterPartially of fully

webbed feetHave lungs or can

absorb oxygen through their skin

Animal DefenseSome animals use these

methods of defense to protect themselves:◦ Camouflage

Snake◦ Mimicry

Mexican Milk Snake◦ Bright colors

Skunk and Poison Arrow Frog

◦ “Hair” projections Hedgehog quills Deer Antlers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Camouflage and Mimicry

Camouflage Have you ever

wondered why animals have spots, strips, or certain colors?

Sometimes an animal’s colors can be a difference between life and death.

Animals use their colors to blend into the environment.

What is this called?

AdaptationsCamouflage is a

type of animal adaptation.

What is an adaptation?

An adaptation is something that helps animals survive better.

Where’s the quail?

Find the critters!

Quail

Deer!

Find the deer!

Can you see the frog?

Mimicry

Animals may also try to look like other animals.

For example, non- poisonous snakes will rattle their tail and flatten their head to look poisonous to a predator.

This is called mimicry, where an animal tries to mimic or copy another.

Which snake is poisonous?

Another example of mimicry… Another example of

mimicry involves the monarch butterfly, which is toxic and very nasty to eat. Its bright orange coloration is a warning to birds to leave it alone. The non-toxic viceroy butterfly has developed colors and wing patterns that are very similar to those of the monarch and so most birds won’t take a chance by taste-testing it!