Earth Science How Animal Survive

Adaptation
An adaptation is a mutation, or genetic change, that helps an organism, such as a plant or
animal, survive in its environment. Animals have certain adaptations that help them to survive.

2 Categories of Adaption
Physical
Behavioral

Physical adaptations
-are body structures that allow an animal to find and consume food, defend itself, and to reproduce its
species.

-Body coverings & parts (claws, beaks, feet, armor plates, skulls, teeth)

Example: The elephant’s trunk is a physical adaptation that helps it to clean itself, eat, drink, and to pick
things up.

Physical adaptations includes

Camouflage (use of color in a surrounding)
example: Chameleon

Mimicry (looking or sounding like another living organism)

example: Butterfly

Chemical defenses (like venom, ink, sprays)

example: Skunk

Behavioral Adaptations allow animals to respond to life needs. Each organism has unique methods of
adapting to its environment by means of different actions.

Behavioral Adaptations includes

Instinctive
These behaviors happen naturally & don’t have to be learned.

• Methods of gathering & storing food

• Defending oneself (tiger and lion facing each on field filled with trees)
• Hibernating
• Finding shelter

• Raising young

• Migrating

Learned Behaviors

These behaviors must be taught.

Obtained by interacting with the environment and cannot be passed on to the next generation except
by teaching.

(dolphin, Ducks, Dog, horse running)

Last scene an Island full of animals living (animal pops in out)