Adaptations Quiz

A population of birds walks along the shores of a swampy area eating small crabs. Climactic changes cause the water level in the area to rise. Which trait in the bird population will give the birds a better ability to survive in that environment?

• longer legs for walking in high water

• a thicker coat of feathers

• shorter, sharper beaks

• sharper talons (claws) on the feet

The habitat of a rabbit rises in temperature. What genetic trait will increase as the rabbits adapt to this change in their environment?

• wider eyes that take in more light

• larger ears that get rid of more heat

• longer whiskers that sense vibration

• stronger legs for running faster

Over time, a certain species of hummingbird has developed traits including a small body, brightly colored feathers, a long, narrow beak, and the ability to drop its body temperature while it sleeps. Which of these characteristics is most likely a trait that developed because of available food sources?

• small size

• bright color

• long, narrow beak

• lower body temperature

Which internal structure is an adaptation that gave organisms the ability to breathe on land?

• gills

• lungs

• hollow bones

• a heart with four chambers

What could cause a species of plant to adapt more brightly colored flowers over time?

• increase in shade

• heavy precipitation (rain)

• high soil nutrient levels

• available insect pollinators

Mudskippers are a species of fish which, over thousands of generations, have developed adaptations that allow them not only to survive outside of the water, but to actually travel from one water source to another. What environmental condition most likely led to these adaptations?

• lower temperatures

• frequent droughts (periods of time with no rain)

• larger predators

• increased precipitation (rain)

Galapagos finches are birds that live on islands off the coast of South America. The finches on the various islands are very different from each other. As a result of the different food resources on the islands, which of the following structures of the Galapagos finches experienced the greatest change through natural selection?

• head size

• eye shape

• feather color

• beak shape