Animal Adaptations

​Animal Adaptations

By Elizabeth Kuzara

How adaptations arise

Evolution is gradual changes in a population over GENERATIONS. Not in a single lifetime

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Evolution

Survival of organisms within their environments influenced by natural pressures.

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​Natural Selection

Adaptations are characteristics organisms have that help them survive in their habitat.

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Adaptations to survive

Number of offspring an organism has. NOT how strong or fast something is.

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Fitness

The largest animal on Earth is the Blue Whale

Largest

The smallest animal on Earth is the New Guinea Amau

Smallest

Body Size

What does body size matter

• It impacts:

  • Body Temperature

  • Metabolism

  • Growth

  • Ecosystem Function

  • Maximum Populations
    

Open Ended

Which size of organism is likely to have a LOW population? Large organisms like Blue Whales or small organisms like the New Guinea Amau Frog?

​Acquiring Oxygen

Acquiring oxygen happens in several ways
Many animals including humans, mammals, birds, and reptiles respirate by breathing.
Fish use gills to absorb directly through the water
Amphibians can absorb oxygen through their skin

Multiple Choice

Which type of oxygen acquisition would be beneficial in a moist environment?

• Diffusion through skin

• Gills

• Lungs

Homeostasis

Homeo - same
Stasis - the state of being

Organisms have different internal conditions BUT they all have mechanisms to maintain them.

When your body is not functioning properly due to an infection or exertion, it must work to return to normal.
The intent of a fever is to kill the infection, but it give you chills, makes you sweat, and can make you feel weak. So your body is trying to get back to normal.

FEVER: 100.4
Normal: 98.6

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When you're not in ideal condition

When an organisms body is not maintaining normal conditions it does not function properly. If it gets far enough from normal, is away from normal long enough an organism could die.

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Why it matters

Adaptations for light or lack of light

Reduced vision, no eyes
Other senses like taste, hearing, smell, or additional senses like echo location my be used.
Some may develop bioluminescence.

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​Low/no light

Depends on vision
may be colorful
Other senses reduced
(hearing, smell)

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​High levels of light

Temperature Adaptations

Low precipitation, cold conditions, permafrost

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Tundra

Light colors
Thick fur
Short limbs

Examples: Lynx, arctic fox, Arctic Hare, Snowy Owls

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Adaptations for Cold

Low precipitation high temperatures in the day, often cold at night​

Desert

Darker camouflage
long limbs/ears
water retention
nocturnal

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Adaptations for heat