Mule Deer Adaptations

large, rounded ears for excellent hearing. Also, mule deer do not run but instead leap with all four feet at once called "stotting". Effective for traveling through wooded areas and underbrush because they can clear large areas at once without getting their legs caught

Eagles have excellent hearing, even though we can't see their ears

The beak is strong and thick, and sharply pointed at downward tip to rip into a fish or a frozen roadkill, but the mouth is wide enough that the gape (the "corners" of the mouth, where the upper and lower beak meet) to handle fairly big chunks. Although the beak is clearly designed for ripping apart meat, parent eagles can also use it to tenderly feed and groom their babies

Eagle eyes are designed for clear vision in daylight, from early morning light to high noon and then on into the evening, but the pupil isn't big enough for night vision

An eagle's skull is designed to shade the eyes from overhead sun, and to allow the eagle to see in front and below

Shape: Long, broad wings like an eagle's take a lot of energy to flap, but are wonderful for riding effortlessly on thermals. Like all birds, eagles must minimize the energy they need for flight over long distances.

"Fingers" or slotted primaries: This provides more lift with less weight--important for birds that ride thermals

Size: Eagle wings are big enough to carry the weight of the eagle PLUS the weight of a fairly large fish. And if the fishes too heavy to pull out of the water, the eagle can use its long wings to paddle to shore!

Get a Grip!In order to grasp and carry live fish, eagles need strong legs and toes, and a powerful grip. An ornithologist looking at an eagle's feet would know that this bird is a hunter that specializes on underwater prey. How? Because eagles have talons and no feathers on their legs.

An eagle foot is made up of four muscular toes, powerful enough to hang onto a fairly large fish as the eagle carries it through the air. A cat can't carry a mouse in its claws!

Polar bears are able to swim in the icy Arctic Ocean without freezing. They have thick oily fur coats and a layer of fat under their skin. When bears comes out of the water they shake the water off their coats.

Polar Bear skin is black which absorbs heat. Their fur is translucent which means the light can go through it. As the light goes through the hair and absorbs in the skin, it heats up the skin and the fur traps it inside.

Adaptations of the Polar Bear 1. Long, stiff hair between pads of bear's feet:- Protect bear's feet from the cold - Provides traction on the ice - Help the bear swim in cold, icy water - Also helps to keep bear from slipping on the slippery ice - Hair usually shakes free any water or ice formed after swimming. 2. Hollow fur –Traps air inside, thus making the bear Buoyant in water - The layer of air provides insulation between their warm bodies and the cold Arctic air and water - Insulation provided is lost when fur is covered with oil. 3. Small and rounded ears –Prevents water from entering the bear's ears and freezing their eardrums, u see, big ears, more water! – Helps conserve body warmth in sub-zero temperatures

4. Digging of dens several meters deep - Shelter from winds that sweep over the ice in strong gusts, unbroken by trees or vegetation 5. Light color of bear's fur provides camouflage against the ice – When hunting, bear covers black nose with its paws to hide it. 6. Strong swimmers - Polar bears can travel up to a speed of 10 kph - Have been known to swim continuously for 100 km - Enables them to catch prey

7. Thick layer of fat (blubber) under skin – Up to 11 cm thick - Insulates bear from arctic cold – Overheating might occur - To prevent overheating, the bear moves slowly, resting often- Excess heat is released from the body through. Areas where fur is absent or where blood vessels are close to the skin (eg. muzzle, nose, ears, foot, pads, inner thighs, shoulders) - Polar bear swims to cool down on warm days or after physical activity 8. Skin under fur is black – This is to ensure that the polar bear has a better heat retention rate.

Dark on top less visible to predators above it Light on bottom less visible to predators below it.

•Small or non-existent

Fish more streamlined and fast-moving to catch prey

Scales small or non-existentFish more streamlined and fast-moving to catch prey

Tail is a full fan shape for strong and powerful movement

Body shape: Head is bullet shape to cut through the water Body narrow, built for speed