Plant and Animal Adaptations

Adaptation An adaptation is a structure or behavior that helps organisms survive in their surroundings. A structure is a body part that does a certain “job”.

Survival Animals live all over the world and in many different environments. Each kind of animal has adapted over many years to suit their environment. Animals that do not adapt do not survive or they go somewhere else.

Land or Water Most animals are either suited for land or water. Lungs are adaptations that allow organisms to breathe on land. Gills are adaptations that allow organisms to breathe under water.

Camouflage Camouflage is the shape, color, or pattern of an animal that helps it blend in with its surroundings

Why Camouflage? Animals camouflage to protect them from their predators or to hide from their prey so they can attack.

Mimicry Mimicry is one organism looking like another kind of organism in its environment so it can escape predators or catch prey.

Monarch or VICEROY The Monarch butterfly is very bad tasting to its predators. The Viceroy butterfly will mimic the Monarch butterfly so it will not be eaten.

Attracting Mates Some animals are brightly colored to attract mates.

Teeth-Carnivores Meat-eating animals have sharp teeth for tearing and ripping their prey.

Teeth-Herbivores Animals that eat leaves and grasses have large flat teeth for chewing.

Eyes-In Front Predators usually have eyes in the front to see prey.

Eyes-On the side Prey usually have eyes on the side to search for predators.

Behaviors Desert animals may hide from the sun.

Plant Adaptations Desert plants like Cacti have adapted by having few or no leaves to limit transpiration.

Plant Adaptations Plant’s roots will grow toward the water source.

Questions

What is an adaptation?

An adaptation is a structure or behavior that helps organisms survive in their surroundings.

Name some adaptations of the animal.

Tusk-Protection Skin-Water Absorption Eyes-On the side to see predators

Name some adaptations of the animal.

Beak-Getting nectar Claws-Balance Wings-Flying Eyes-On the side