Holland Defense Adaptations PP Slides

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Describe physical and
behavioral adaptations
that help animals defend
themselves from
predators.

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Many animals have

adaptations that help
them defend
themselves against
predators. These
adaptations are called
defense adaptations.

• Defense adaptations

can be physical or
behavioral
adaptations.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

A praying mantis in defensive
posture.

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Physical defense adaptations are physical traits that help an

animal protect itself from attack by a predator. These
adaptations help prevent an attack or help an animal defend
itself during an attack.

• Behavioral defense adaptations are things an animal does to

avoid being attacked by a predator or to ward off a predator
during an attack. Some animals hide or play dead. Other
animals stick together in large groups. Some animals release
poison or odor to fight off a predator.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

Multiple Choice

Behavioral adaptations are what?

• Adaptations to help animals reproduce
• Adaptations that help defend or ward off attack

• Adaptations to help animals communicate with each other
• Changes in an animal's appearance to blend in or prevent attack

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• There are six important defense adaptations:

– Camouflage
– Mimicry
– Poison
– Stinger
– Odor
– Body Coverings

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Many animals have

body coloring or
patterns that help
them blend in with
their environment.
This is called
camouflage.

• Camouflage helps

animals hide from
predators.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Some animals have body coloring or

patterns that make them look like
another organism. This is called
mimicry.

• Some animals have body coloring

that mimics the coloring of a
poisonous animal.

• Other animals make themselves

look larger. For example, some
butterflies and moths have patterns
on their wings that look like large
eye.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

The coral snake (top) is a deadly,
venomous snake. The milk snake

(bottom) is not poisonous but

mimics the coral snake coloring to

appear dangerous.

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Some animals produce poison that is

harmful or deadly to other organisms.

• Some frogs excrete poison in their skin.
• Some insects, fish and snakes release

poison (venom) when threatened by a
predator. They bite or sting to release the
venom into the predator or threat.

• Many poisonous animals are brightly

colored or have specific patterns of
colors on their skin. Predators can learn
to recognize the coloring and avoid these
animals.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Some animals have a sharp

structure or “stinging cells” that
releases toxins or venom when
attacked by a predator.

• The toxin or venom harms the

predator.

• Jellyfish have “stinging cells” that

release toxins when threatened.

• Bees, ants and scorpions have

stingers they use to release venom
when threatened.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

© Stephanie Elkowitz

9

Animal Adaptations

• Some animals release a

toxic or irritating odor to
protect themselves from
predators.

• Skunks are notorious for

releasing a strong
smelling chemical when
they feel threatened.

• Vultures expel a stinky

vomit when they feel
threatened.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS

© Stephanie Elkowitz

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Animal Adaptations

• Some reptiles and invertebrates produce a

shell that encloses all or part of the
organism. The animal can pull its body inside
the shell if attacked by a predator to protect
itself.

• Most reptiles and fish are covered in scales.

Scales protect animals by preventing
damage from sharp objects such as
predators’ sharp teeth.

• Some animals, such as the porcupine, are

covered in needles, which harm predators if
they attack.

DEFENSE ADAPTATIONS