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Animal Adaptations. 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. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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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!