S3-U3L4- What are structural adaptations

What are structural adaptations

S3-U3L4

Polar Bear

 is a hypercarnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses.

Multiple Select

What do you mean by hypercarnivorous and Arctic Circle? Check the correct answers.

• Eats mostly meat

• Northern most part of the earth

• a vegan

• Southern most part of the earth

What do you notice about this snow leopard?

This snow leopard is the same colors as its environment. That makes the leopard harder for other animals to see.

Just like the polar bear, its white fur makes it difficult to spot when there is snow.

Open Ended

Why is it important for an animal to have body parts or behaviors that help it meet its needs in its environment?

Why is it important for an animal to have body parts or behaviors that help it meet its needs in its environment?

If an animal isn't able to meet its needs in an environment, it won't survive.

What other ways can you think of that show animals or people fitting into their environments?

• Other animals also have colors to match their environments, such as the white polar bear or the colorful birds of the Amazon rain forest. People also fit into their environments in many ways. They build strong houses in areas where there may be hurricanes or other bad storms. They wear clothing that is made for the weather. People also eat the local food that is grown in the region.

Multiple Choice

What is mimicry?

• imitating the look of another animal

• body covering of an animal

• the color of the animal

How else does the Siberian husky dog fit its environment?

• A Siberian husky has two coats of hair.

• It has an undercoat to keep its body warm and a longer outer coat that contains waterproofing oils.

• It also has thick hair on its ears and tail. 

Would a Chihuahua have similar body structures as a Siberian husky?

Would a Chihuahua have similar body structures as a Siberian husky?

No, the Chihuahua has body structures that are adapted to warm temperatures. A Chihuahua’s hair is much shorter and not a thick as a husky’s. A Chihuahua’s ears are long and can give off body heat.

Open Ended

If you were going to design an animal for your neighborhood, what would it look like?

If you were going to design an animal for your neighborhood, what would it look like?

The animal would need to fit in with your neighborhood’s environment. Its body covering would need to be adjusted to the climate. It would need a way to eat based on the food in your area. The animal would also need a way to get water.

AZKAL is a local breed dog

Other than its eyes, what adaptation in the owl helps it hunt prey?

• The owl also has excellent hearing.

• It can hear a small mouse moving through a field from far away.

Other than its sharp teeth, what helps a crocodile in the wild?

• Crocodiles have special valves in their throats to keep them from drowning when swallowing food underwater.

• 
  

Multiple Select

Can you think of any other sea creatures that are see-through like shrimp?

• jellyfish

• octopus

• whale

• shark

Can you think of any other sea creatures that are see-through like shrimp?

Jellyfish, as well as some octopuses and squid, are also see-through, helping them blend into the environment. 

Other than the porcupine, can you think of any animals that use pointy body coverings to protect themselves? 

• Hedgehogs and blowfish also use pointy body coverings to protect themselves from predators.

Porcupine

Puffer Porcupine Blow Fish

Can porcupines throw or “shoot” their quills?

Can porcupines throw or “shoot” their quills?

No, the porcupine’s quills can break off or fall off but cannot be thrown. New quills can grow back to replace lost ones.

Other than rely on its spines, what can the echidna do to protect itself?

• The echidna’s sharp claws are another way it can protect itself.

• The echidna can also protect itself from its predators by rolling up into a ball.

Multiple Select

Can you think of another animal that has a long tongue to help it eat its food?

• Anteater

• frog

• lizard

• giraffe

Can you think of another animal that has a long tongue to help it eat its food?

Anteaters, as well as many frogs and lizards, have long tongues, helping them gather insects to eat. Giraffes also have long tongues, helping them collect leaves from trees to eat.

Is the echidna the only mammal that lays eggs?

Is the echidna the only mammal that lays eggs?

No, the platypus is another mammal that lays eggs instead of giving birth to its offspring.

What is another example of mimicry?

• There are many other examples. The Viceroy butterfly is a good example of mimicry.

• It looks similar to the Monarch butterfly.

• However, the Monarch butterfly does not taste very good. That is its protection.

• The Viceroy butterfly is protected by looking like the Monarch butterfly.

Viceroy Butterfly

Why would the cuckoo bird use mimicry?

By laying its eggs in other nests, the cuckoo bird does not have to spend time making a nest for its young or feeding them. 

What are some other advantages of the vine snake’s use of camouflage?

The vine snake can also sneak up on its prey by blending into its surroundings.

How are the spines on the cacti an adaptation?

• The spines are actually a special kind of leaf that does not give off very much water.

• Also, much like the spines on the porcupine and the spiny anteater, the cactus’s spines protect it from animals.

• The spines can pierce animals trying to get water from the cactus.

Multiple Select

Would roses, tulips, and dandelions grow as well in the desert as the purple sage, cacti, and desert wildflower?

• yes

• no

Would roses, tulips, and dandelions grow as well in the desert as the purple sage, cacti, and desert wildflower?

No, these plants are not native to desert areas and are not adapted to living in desert conditions.

MISCONCEPTIONS

Can plants in the desert live without any water at all?

• No, all plants need at least some water to survive.

• Desert plants’ adaptations allow them to survive where there is little rainfall.

• Some cactus collect dew to continue to live and grow.

How have dolphins and whales adapted to live in water without gills?

• Dolphins and whales must come to the water's surface to breathe.

• They use blowholes on the top of their bodies to inhale and exhale air.

Multiple Select

Can you think of examples of sea creatures that have gills as an adaptation for living underwater?

• fish

• sharks

• octopuses

• squids

Can you think of examples of sea creatures that have gills as an adaptation for living underwater?

Fish, sharks, octopuses, and squids all have gills, which allow them to get oxygen from water.

How is the camel adapted to the desert?

Camels have long eyelashes to keep the sand out of their eyes and hair to keep sand out of their ears. They also have wide feet to walk on the sand. The camel’s nose can close to keep out blowing sand. Also, because of their tough thick lips, camels can eat prickly plants.

Multiple Choice

What is in a camel’s hump?

• water

• gas

• fat

• food

What is in a camel’s hump?

Many people think that a camel stores water in its hump. Actually, it stores fat in the hump that it uses for energy when it goes a long time without food.

How is the desert tortoise adapted to the desert conditions?

How is the desert tortoise adapted to the desert conditions?

The desert tortoise burrows under the sand to protect itself from extreme hot and dry desert conditions. It also digs shallow holes to catch rainwater.

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between mimicry and camouflage?

• blend into one's environment

• looking like another animal

What is the difference between mimicry and camouflage?

Mimicry is looking like another animal in order to gain an advantage, such as protection. Camouflage is blending into one’s environment in order to hide from predators.

How is the giraffe’s neck an adaptation? 

The giraffe’s neck is long so that the giraffe can reach leaves in high branches of trees that other plant eaters cannot reach. This adaptation helps the giraffe find food to survive.