Adaptations

Plant & Animal

Definition
Characteristics that give an organism a
better chance of survival.
Special traits that help living organisms
survive in a particular environment.
Reasons for adaptations
To suit their habitat
For protection
For attack
For feeding
For movement
Types of adaptations
Structural – external characteristics
size and shape
Feet, eyes, bills, skin
Behavioral - differing ways of reacting
to the environment
Nocturnal
Arboreal
Burrowing
Types of adaptations
Physiological - internal characteristics
Hibernation
Rumination
Endothermic
Examples
Sharp teeth and claws for carnivores
Flat teeth for grinding and chewing
Moving in large groups is a behavioral
adaptation; it helps protect the
members of the group from predators.
The thick fur coat of an arctic fox is a
structural adaptation. It helps protect it
against the cold weather.
Examples
Camouflage
Mimicry
http://152.2.81.1/parkproject/harp/Courses/Animal_adaptations_page.html
http://152.2.81.1/parkproject/harp/Courses/Animal_adaptations_page.html
Habitat: Dry inland Australia, including
deserts and grasslands
Adaptations: It is able to go with out
drinking as long as green grass is
available and it adapts well to drought.
They can hop as fast as 40 mph (64
km). They use this as their first line of
defense. Kangaroos have a tendon in
the leg which acts like a rubber band,
conserving energy as the animal
moves.
The tail serves as a balance when
the animal leaps and as a prop
when it stands.
Habitat: Frigid seas
Adaptations: Black and
white colors. These colors
help camouflage them.
Their blowhole is at the top
of their head. This enables
them to come up and
breathe more easily.
Blubber keeps them warm
in the frigid seas.
Orcas are the fastest
mammals in the sea. They
can go up to 34 mph. Their
speed helps them catch
their prey.
Habitat: Wet, humid and hot
jungles as well as icy cold forests

Adaptations: A tiger's hindlimbs

are longer than the forelimbs, an
for jumping.

The forelimbs and shoulders are

well-muscled, and the forelegs can
twist inward, enabling the tiger to
grab and hold large prey.

The underside of the paws have

soft pads which allow tigers to
quietly stalk their prey.
Habitat: Tropical secondary forest
Adaptations: Opposable thumb
enables manipulation of objects;
big toe also opposable for
grasping.

Large and powerful arms used to

break stalks or uproot vegetation
while foraging.

High intelligence probably an

adaptation for finding scarce or
isolated fruit plants in the rain
forest.
Habitat: Dry deserts

Adaptations:
The spines serve a number of
purposes in addition to protection
from hungry and thirsty animals.
They provide shade, serve as a
windbreak to prevent dehydration
from dry winds, and help trap warm
air close to the plant.

The root systems of cacti are very

close to the surface of the soil,
making it possible for them to take
advantage of the slightest rain
shower.
Habitat: Underwater

Adaptations: Little or no
mechanical strengthening tissue in
stems. If these plants are removed
from the water, they hang limply.
They are normally supported by
water all around them and so have
no need of mechanical
strengthening.

Air-filled cavities often extend

throughout the leaves and stems of
aquatic plants, providing an internal
atmosphere.