Adaptations are traits that help an organism survive in its environment. Animal Adaptations

Does the shape of a bird’s beak affect what it eats? Could this bird survive without its long and narrow beak? How is this hawk’s beak different? Do you think he eats the same as the hummingbird?

Bird Beaks – adaptations that help a bird survive. A cone shaped bill is found in many birds such as finches and grosbeaks. It is a strong beak used for cracking seeds. Hummingbirds have long, tubular bills that resemble straws, which they use to sip nectar from flowers. Hawks, owls, and other birds of prey which catch and kill live prey have sharp, "hooked" beaks. These are used to bite the skull or neck and also to tear the body into pieces small enough to swallow. Thin, slender, pointed beaks are found mainly in insect eaters. They are used to pick insects off leaves, twigs, and bark. This warbler is a good example.

Beaks to eats activity

Quick Lab- Classify Adaptations Record the names of the animals from the following photos. Classify them according to how their adaptations help the animal survive. Structures for food Structures for oxygen Structures for defense Other structures

CLOWN FISH

Structures for food: Eats algae and fish left over from the sea anemone. Structures for oxygen: Gills Structures for Defense: Mucus protects it from the poison of the sea anemone. Other:

Great White Shark

Structures for food: Lots of very sharp teeth! Structures for oxygen: Gills Structures for Defense: Lots of very sharp teeth! Other: Torpedo shaped body and long tailfin allow fast movement in the water

Giraffe

Structures for food: Long neck and tongue to reach leaves high in a tree Structures for oxygen: Lungs Structures for Defense: Long neck allows them to see predators Other: Giraffes can go weeks without water

Arctic Fox

Structures for food: The arctic fox can hear small animals under the snow. When they hear one they jump up and down to break through the snow with their front paws. Once the snow is broken they can grab their prey. Structures for oxygen: Lungs Structures for Defense: The arctic fox has a white coat in winter to blend in with the snow. In the summer, the fox sheds his white coat for brown fur. Other: Compact body with short legs, short ears, dense fur, and thickly haired foot pads, which insulate against the cold and provide traction on ice.

Green Tree Frog

Structures for food: Sticky pads on toes for climbing, strong legs for jumping, long tongue for grabbing food Structures for oxygen: Lungs and through the skin Structures for Defense: Bright green color provides camouflage Other: Keen eyesight is very sensitive to movement

Now it is your turn! For the final animal in your chart, you must research an animal and its adaptations. Research your animal on the internet with a parent and fill in the last row in the Quick Lab chart. You must list the name of the animal, structures for its food, oxygen, defense, and any other adaptation that helps it survive.