ADAPTATIONS

Adaptations Every organism has features that allow it to survive in its own particular habitat These features are called adaptations.

The white-faced heron Lives in the wetland areas throughout NZ Can you think of any adaptations it may have to live here?

Lives in the wetland areas throughout NZ Long legs to walk through swampy areas to find food Long, pointed beak so it can collect snails, insects, frogs and fish from the water and mud Large, strong wings to help it escape from danger These adaptations make it successful in its habitat The white-faced heron

Types of adaptations Structural adaptations – the shape and size of the organism (e.g. beak shape, skeleton, etc.) Functional adaptations – the workings of an organism’s body (e.g. digestion, photosynthesis) Behavioural adaptations – how the organism behaves (e.g. Predator avoidance, how they find food, mates, etc.)

The morepork

Leopard seal skull

Bird beaks

Structural, behavioural, functional? You only have one arm Every time you hear your name, you put both your hands up for protection You have a hunched back for protection You need to pull your jersey over your head because you don’t like the light Your knees and elbows don’t bend You can’t speak

You walk sideways Your thumbs don’t work on either hand Your voice is high pitched so that predators can’t hear you When you hear the word “don’t” you whistle You drop to your hands and knees if a male speaks to you Structural, behavioural, functional?

Poster! Create your own habitat and an organism within it that has structural, behavioural and functional adaptations to suit where it lives. Work individually – homework if you don’t finish in class, will collect tomorrow for marking

Long beak for reaching deep into leaf litter and soil to find food – structural Strong feet for digging and moving rapidly through bush – structural Active at night (nocturnal) to avoid predators – behavioural Short, compact body for easy movement through dense bush - structural Fluffy feathers for warmth – structural Nose at end of beak – structural Nose helps kiwi to smell in soil for food – functional Exemplar – Kiwi Habitat: NZ native bush