Adaptations Mini Assess #1

Loggerhead sea turtles are large turtles that live in the ocean and nest on the Florida coast. The female loggerhead sea turtle lays more than 100 eggs in the beach sand. How is laying so many eggs an important adaptation that helps these turtles survive?

• Large nests of eggs help keep the eggs warm enough to allow more turtles to hatch.

• If many turtles hatch, they can defend each other against predators in large numbers.

• The more eggs that are laid, the greater the chance that more turtles will live to become adults.

• A large number of eggs in one place makes it possible for the mother to lie on the eggs until they hatch.

Burmese pythons are excellent swimmers and can travel long distances in water. These pythons are not native to Florida. They are an invasive animal that was introduced into the state. The graph below shows the number of Burmese pythons in the Everglades National Park and the surrounding area between 2001 and 2007.

• It has helped native organisms to live well.

• It has led to overpopulation of the native organisms.

• It has made it more difficult for native organisms to survive.

• It has led to an increase in resources for the native organisms.

Some animals migrate during winter. Which statement explains why some animals migrate?

• Animals migrate to hibernate.

• Animals migrate to grow their fur.

• Animals migrate to fight off predators

• Animals migrate to find better living conditions.

When the season changes from fall to winter, there is less food for animals. How do some animals react to less food?

• Animals will drink more water.

• Animals will change fur color.

• Animals will move to find another food source.

• Animals will lie still in sunlight to absorb energy.

People can do simple actions to help protect the environment and conserve resources, such as air, water, and land.

Which simple action can a person do to help the environment?

• Reuse canvas or paper bags to carry groceries.

• Use a sprinkler to water lawns and gardens daily.

• Place any unwanted books and clothing in the trash.

• Replace ceramic dishes with disposable paper plates.

There are different kinds of dolphins. Some dolphins live in warmer waters near the shores of Florida and some live in much colder waters in the open ocean. The dolphins living in colder waters need more protection from the environment. Which of these is true about dolphins that live in a warmer environment, compared to dolphins that live in a colder environment?

• eat more food

• have less body fat

• make more noises

• travel through the water faster

Taylor has a pet rat named Gus. To encourage the rat to be more active, Taylor decides to feed Gus only after the rat runs on an exercise wheel. After a few days, whenever Gus sees Taylor holding food pellets, he runs on his wheel and then waits by his food bowl.

Is Gus's behavior learned or inherited?

• learned, because Gus realized he would be given food after running

• inherited, because Gus inherited the behavior of eating after running

• inherited, because rats in nature do not have to be taught how to eat

• learned, because rats in nature are not typically very physically active