Science Adaptations

What are adaptations?

Biology Essentials

Key Term

• adaptation - trait that helps an organism survive in its environment

Adaptations

• Any trait that helps an organism survive in its environment is called an adaptation.

• Adaptations also allow one kind of organism to live where other kinds of organisms cannot live.

Animal Adaptations

• Some living things are adapted to cold environments.

• Whales that live in very cold environments have a thick layer of fat called blubber.

• The blubber helps keep the whales warm.

Multiple Choice

Which is another good example of an animal adaptation to cold weather?

• a polar bear's fur

• a camel's hump

Plant Adaptations

• A cactus has adaptations that allow it to live in a desert environment.

• A cactus has a thick, leathery stem that stores water.

Adaptations Against Predators

• Some adaptations protect organisms against predators.

• Camouflage is one adaptation that protects an organism against predators.

• The more an organism looks like its environment, the less likely a predator is to notice it.

• Camoflauge also helps a predator hide as it waits for its prey.

Open Ended

Can anyone give me an example of an animal that uses camouflage to protect itself from prey? What is the animal and how does it use camouflage?

Adaptations Against Predators

• Some organisms have a protective covering that guards them against predators.

• A porcupine is a great example of this adaptation.

Open Ended

What is a good example of another organism with the adaptation of protective covering?

Adaptations Against Predators

• Have you ever seen a yellow jacket wasp?

• It's bright yellow and black stripes are an adaptation called warning coloration.

• Animals that use warning coloration are usually poisonous.

• They use bright colors to warn other animals not to eat them.

• Another great example is the blue poison dart frog. It uses bright colors to warn predators of the poison they contain.