Only the best suited survive! Adaptation Only the best suited survive!

Adaptation: An organism’s physical traits or behaviors that helps it survive in its environment Adaptations are caused by mutations (random changes in an organism’s DNA) A change caused by DNA mutation is only called an adaptation if it helps the organism survive better! Adaptations are passed down from parents to offspring

4 reasons organisms Adapt 2 Types of Adaptations Physical Behavioral 4 reasons organisms Adapt Feeding Movement Protection Reproduction

I’m Bright, so I must be poisonous! Adaptation for Protection ~ Warning Coloration I’m Bright, so I must be poisonous!

I look like a poisonous animal… Are you willing to take the risk? Adaptation for Protection ~ Batesian Mimicry I look like a poisonous animal… Are you willing to take the risk?

Adaptation for Protection ~ Eyespot Mimicry Eye see you!

Things are not always what they seem. Adaptation for Protection ~ Disguise Things are not always what they seem.

You can’t eat me if you can’t find me! Adaptation for Protection ~ Concealing Coloration You can’t eat me if you can’t find me!

Betcha can’t spot just one! Adaptation for Protection ~ Disruptive Coloration Betcha can’t spot just one!

We have now spent a lot of time talking about adaptations for protection… and some for sneaking up on your prey…

Can You Identify Special Adaptations for: Feeding 2) Movement 3) Protection 4) Reproduction

Feeding: Sharp teeth for chewing up insects Protection: eyes on the sides of head Reproduction: Horns for impressing the ladies Movement: strong grip and a prehensile tail for moving safely from branch to branch

Feeding: Venom Protection: Concealing Coloration Reproduction: Lays leathery eggs Movement: Moves sideways to stay on top of soft sand & easily climb dunes

Feeding: Sharp Teeth and Claws Protection: Disruptive coloration Reproduction: Cares for young until able to hunt on own Movement: Powerful legs for jumping and climbing

Feeding: small sharp teeth Protection: Frilled neck skin to appear big and threatening Reproduction: flashes frills in a mating dance to attract a mate Movement: long toes & powerful legs for fast running

Feeding: Hunt in groups for small fish & plankton Protection: Lives in large schools Reproduction: Lays thousands of eggs at a time Movement: Large, powerful fins for jumping and gliding through the air

Feeding: Small sharp beaks for catching fish Protection: Thick, water-proof feathers to keep warm Reproduction: Mates for life & shares childcare duties with mate Movement: torpedo shaped body& flipper-like wings for swimming quickly

Feeding: Large flat teeth for crushing plants Protection: Horns for protection against predators Reproduction: Produces milk to feed live young Movement: Runs on four hooved legs for speed, even though they’re big & bulky

Feeding: Hunt in a pack, working together to corner prey Protection: Excellent sense of smell, sight, and hearing Reproduction: Only the strongest (alpha male & female) get to reproduce Movement: Long, strong legs for running long distances at high speeds  up to 40 miles a day!

Feeding: Specialized hair-like teeth (baleen) for gathering tons of plankton Protection: enormous size Reproduction: migrate to warm waters for mating & birthing calves Movement: large, powerful tails & fins for travelling long distances without stopping

Feeding: Sharp Teeth or catching fish Protection: water-proof, thick fur for warmth Reproduction: Gives birth in large groups, on secluded sea rocks Movement: Aerodynamic body & modified feet for fast swimming

Feeding: Excellent eye sight for fishing from above Protection: Large wings allow it to stay safely in the air for long periods Reproduction: lays hard shelled eggs Movement: Large wing span for soaring over long distances using little energy

Feeding: wide, flat molars for grinding plants Protection: strong, powerful jaws & long sharp canine teeth Reproduction: Only the strongest (silverback) male gets to mate with all the females Movement: long arms and opposable thumbs for climbing and grabbing

Feeding: wide, flat molars for grinding plants Protection: strong, powerful jaws & long sharp canine teeth, high intelligence, nest building Reproduction: Living in large groups for protection and the ability to find a mate Movement: long arms and opposable thumbs for climbing and grabbing

Feeding: Echolocation Protection: strong, powerful wings for flight, nocturnal Reproduction: Community living ensures finding a mate Movement: long powerful wings With sharp claws for climbing

What Do You Think?