Lesson 9 Adaptations and Survival Chapter 2 - Ecology Lesson 9 Adaptations and Survival

TCAP Coach 5th grade Science Source TCAP Coach 5th grade Science

Objective The student will compare how organisms adapt to different environments.

Adaptations and Survival Animals and plants have special characteristics that help them live in their environment. For example, a polar bear has a thick coat of fur that helps it stay warm in a very cold climate. These special characteristics are called adaptations. Adaptations help organisms survive in their environment.

Adaptations An adaptation is a characteristic that helps an organism to survive in its environment.

Adaptations The polar bear’s fur is an adaptation for very cold weather. Would a polar bear be able to live in the desert? Probably not!

Adaptations The polar bear would not be able to survive in a desert because it does not have adaptations for a desert ecosystem.

Adaptations A desert is dry and hot. Organisms that live in desert ecosystems have adaptations that help them save water and keep from drying out.

Adaptations For example, a cactus plant has an adaptation that allows it to store extra water in its stem. Its roots are very shallow, allowing it to absorb what little rainfall happens in a desert.

Adaptations The spines of the cactus protect it from animals that might eat it. All of these are adaptations that allow the cactus to survive in the desert.

Types of Adaptations Like the polar bear and the cactus plant, many organisms have adaptations that help them live in their environment. Special body parts help an animal or plant survive in its environment.

Types of Adaptations A fish’s body is adapted to live in an aquatic environment. Its smooth, sleek body and fins help to propel it through the water.

Types of Adaptations Animals such as turtles, snails, mussels, and clams have thick, hard shells that protect them from predators and their environment.

Types of Adaptations Reptiles and snakes have thick, leathery skin that keeps in moisture, so their bodies do not dry out.

Types of Adaptations Many organisms have adaptations that protect them from predators, such as sharp thorns or spines. Roses have thorns, and porcupines, and cactuses have sharp spines that keep other animals from eating them.

Types of Adaptations Some animals use chemicals to keep themselves safe from predators. Poison dart frogs release poisonous chemicals through their skin.

Types of Adaptations Skunks release a powerful odor to scare away predators.

Types of Adaptations The illustration below shows how a cheetah is adapted for hunting and a giraffe is adapted for escaping predators.

Types of Adaptations Other organisms have adaptations that help them find food. Birds have different shapes of beaks that help them eat certain types of food that are available in their environment. The following chart shows some of these beaks adaptations.

Types of Adaptations

Mimicry and Camouflage Another type of adaptation is called mimicry, the ability of an animal to resemble other living things. Some animals have changed over time to resemble poisonous, dangerous animals.

Mimicry and Camouflage For example, some harmless snakes have developed color patterns that copy snakes that are poisonous. This protects the harmless snakes from being eaten by predators, because the predators think that the snake is harmful.

Mimicry and Camouflage Camouflage is a coloring or patterning that helps animals hide from predators.

Mimicry and Camouflage Stripes on a zebra and the white fur of the Arctic hare help the animals blend in with their environments. Bright colors sometimes signal that an animal is poisonous.

1. What is an adaptation? A. the process by which an organism finds food B. the way in which organisms interact with their environment C. a special characteristic which helps an organism survive in its environment D. the way an organism is colored

1. What is an adaptation? C. a special characteristic which helps an organism survive in its environment

2. Which of the following shapes of bird feet would provide the best adaptation for a bird that must swim in water in order to find food?

2. Which of the following shapes of bird feet would provide the best adaptation for a bird that must swim in water in order to find food?

3. Which of the following adaptations is an example of camouflage? A. the ability to run very fast B. being the same color as the tree trunk on which the organism lives C. having sharp spikes on its skin D. having very sharp teeth

3. Which of the following adaptations is an example of camouflage? B. being the same color as the tree trunk on which the organism lives