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Adaptations to different habitats  

Subject(s): Science, geography

Age group(s): 12-14, 15-16

Topic: Adaptations to different habitats

EAL Nexus resource

Licence information | This resource is free to use for educational purposes. ©British Council 2014Source | This resource was originally developed by Alison Fisher and has been adapted by EAL Nexus.

Adaptations to different habitats

Write down as many words as you can to describe each habitat. Then try to find some

similarities between the two habitats.

Arctic Desert

Differences between the Arctic and the desertPut the words into the correct box.

Arctic DesertTemperature

Other

Temperature

Other

cold

hotsnowy

sunny

sandy

dry

icy

arid

scorching

dustyfreezingparche

dbitterly coldsearing

heat

frosty

Similarities between the 2 habitatsPut the words in the correct boxes

Climate Landscape

no trees

monotonous

harsh weather

severe climatic conditions sparse vegetation desolate

glaring sunlight

extreme temperatures

bleak

Arctic Desert

Match the adaptation to the correct animal

Polar bear Camel

transparent fur

covered in blubber (fat)

fur covered soles of feet

small ears and tail

black skin

nostrils can close

large feet

long eyelashes

does not sweat

stores fat in hump

hair lined nostrils

long legs brown fur

thick fur

What are the reasons for the adaptations?

Polar bear

Discuss with a partner the reasons for the polar bear’s adaptations

Think about what it needs to do:• protect itself from the cold• stay hidden (when there are no trees or rocks)• walk on soft snow• swim in cold water.

Phrases to help you:• It needs … so that it can …• Its … help it …• It can … so that …

Match the adaptation to the reason.

1. black skin2. large feet3. transparent fur4. thick fur5. small ears and tail6. nostrils can close7. fur covered soles

of feet8. covered in blubber

a. to reflect the snow so the bear appears white

b. have a small surface area so less heat escapes

c. to provide insulation from the coldd. to stop the bear sinking into the

snowe. to stop cold water going into the

bear’s nosef. to absorb heat to keep the bear

warmg. to give a good grip on ice

Match the adaptation to the reason - answers.

1. black skin – to absorb heat to keep the bear warm

2. large feet - to stop the bear sinking into the snow

3. transparent fur – to reflect the snow so the bear appears white

4. thick fur – to provide insulation from the cold

5. small ears and tail - have a small surface area so less heat escapes

6. nostrils can close – to stop cold water going into the bear’s nose

7. fur covered soles of feet – to provide insulation from the cold and to give

a good grip on ice

8. covered in blubber – to provide insulation from the cold

What are the reasons for the adaptations?

Discuss with a partner the reasons for the camel’s adaptations.

Think about what it needs to do:• protect itself from the heat• stay hidden (when there are no trees or rocks)• walk on soft sand• survive without water.

Phrases to help you:• it needs … so that it can …• its … help it …• it can … so that … Camel

Match the adaptation to the reason.

1. long eyelashes2. long legs3. brown fur4. thick fur on its hump5. nostrils that can close6. stores fat in hump7. does not sweat8. large feet

a. to keep its body away from the hot sand.

b. to provide energy if it has had no food or water for a while.

c. to stop sand irritating it.d. to prevent water loss.e. to protect its back from the sun.f. to stop it sinking into the soft sand.g. so it cannot be seen easily.

Match the adaptation to the reason – answers.

1. long eyelashes - to stop sand irritating it.

2. long legs - to keep its body away from the hot sand.

3. brown fur - so it cannot be seen easily.

4. thick fur on its hump - to protect its back from the sun.

5. nostrils that can close - to stop sand irritating it.

6. stores fat in hump - to provide energy if it has had no food or

water for a while.

7. does not sweat - to prevent water loss.

8. large feet - to stop it sinking into the soft sand.

Writing task

Write a paragraph about what you have learnt. You will need to:•describe the Arctic and desert environments

•explain how the polar bear and camel have adapted to their environment

•compare and contrast the two animals.

You could start like this:

Words to show similarity

Words to show difference

Words to explain

as well assimilarlythis is the same asalso

unlikethis is different fromhoweveralthough

this is becauseso thatwhichbecause it needs to

Both the camel and the polar bear are well suited to their environment. A polar bear has white fur which ...................................... On the other hand, a camel has.....................

Try to use all the words in the table below.

Check your work.

I have: or • described the desert and the Arctic using at least four of the

words from my list

• written about at least three adaptations for the polar bear and the camel

• explained the reasons for the adaptations

• used at least six different words to compare, contrast and explain.

• described at least one similarity and two differences between the camel and the polar bear.

Polar bear and camel adaptations - Checklist.