Plant & Animal Adaptations

Why might some plants have thorns?

• to stay safe from animals that want to eat the plant
• to attract insects that spread pollen to other plants
• to take in nutrients from the air
• to provide shade for the plant

What is one reason why some plants have scents?

• to shed extra water off the plant
• to take in nutrients from the soil
• to attract animals to spread its pollen
• to conserve water during dry periods

Why might some plants that grow on the shady rain forest floor have large leaves?

• to stay safe from predators
• to attract different animals
• to survive harsh winters with heavy snowfall
• to take in as much sunlight as possible

Some trees shed their leaves in time for winter. Why is this adaptation useful?

• The trees save energy during the darker, colder months.
• The trees take in more sunlight through their branches.
• The trees attract animals to spread their seeds.
• The trees blend into their environment and hide.

What is one possible reason for seeds to have hooks of barbs?

• to stay warm during the winter
• to protect themselves from sunlight
• to get attached to passing animals and get carried away
• to stick to animals and steal nutrients from them

Some grasses grow in hot dry areas. Why might they grow deep roots?

• to protect the plant from sun damage
• to take in as much light as possible
• to spread seeds to new places
• to reach water down below

What is an adaptation?

• A feature or behavior that helps a plant or animal survive.

• The food that an animal eats.
• How energy moves in a food web.

This is a period of deep sleep that occurs in some animals when outside temperatures are cold: ______

• hibernation
• migration

How do adaptations help animals?

• To hide from predators
• to hunt for food
• to survive in their habitats
• All of these are correct

An example of a physical adaptation is...

• a turtle hiding inside its shell
• spikes on a porcupine fish

• a rabbit burrowing underground
• a viper biting when threatened