1. Adaptations (3) How do plants and animals survive?
How do they adapt to survive in their habitats?

2. Adaptations (3)
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3. Adaptations : The Prickly Pear Cactus
Conserves water by not having leaves
Fleshy stems store water and swell during rain.
Has spikes to deter grazers
Toxic calcium oxalate under the skin. Only woodrats and javalinas can metabolise this chemical without harm to kidneys..
Engelmann’s Prickly Pear

4. Adaptations : Creosote Bush
Contains toxic chemicals makes most animals ill if they eat the leaves.
Resins on the leaves reduces water loss by evaporation
Bright yellow flowers attract large variety of pollinating insects.

5. Adaptations : Organ Pipe Cactus
Large number of branches increase the surface area: to maximise food production
Grows near rocks and cliff edges to receive their heat radiation at night.
Flowers only bloom at night: they use bats to pollinate the blossoms.

6. Adaptations : Mesquite Tree
Mature trees can produce up to 11kg of fruit , containing over 140,000 seeds !
The flowers attract many different pollinators, including sixty species of bees.
Many birds, insects and mammals eat the beans

7. Adaptations : Hummingbird
Its food is nectar from flowers, tiny insects, and sugar water.
Hummingbirds burn food so fast they often eat to 3 times their body weight in food per day
To conserve energy, it can go into a sleep-like state known as "torpor."

8. Adaptations : Hummingbird
Hummingbirds migrate in response to hormonal changes that are triggered by the changing length of a day.
They prepare for migration by putting on a lot of fat. They may double their body weight.

9. Adaptations : Gila Woodpecker
Sharp and strong beak to get at insects and to make out nest holes
Beak is also used to to hammer out its ‘territory’ signals.
Strong claws and short legs enable it to climb trees
Lives in nest cavities of trees.

10. Adaptations : Cardinal
Male cardinals vigorously defend their territory. They have even been known to attack their own reflections in mirrors and windows!
Females dull colours help to camouflage them from predators
Males bright colours help to attract a mate.
Female Cardinal

11. Adaptations : The Saguaro Cactus
Can absorb up to 95% of its total weight in water when it rains.
Pleats between the ribs allow the stem to swell when water is absorbed.
Shallow root system covers a large area for maximum absorption of water.
Can live up to over 175 years

12. Adaptations : Agave (Century Plant)
A waxy coating with a powdery surface seals the leaf against evaporation and also reflects up to 75% of the incoming heat
Absorbs carbon dioxide at night, to be stored for photosynthesis during the day.
Flowers smell like rotting meat : this attracts bats (pollinators)
Blooms only once then dies
Its life is between 5-25 years