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MAMMALS

Adaptations

Within this vastly large community of animals, there are some constants when it comes to the
physical structure of these animals. Most mammals have four legs, a high and constant body
temperature, a muscular diaphragm used for breathing, a lower jaw segment consisting of one
sole bone and three bones within the middle ear. There are, however, many animal species
that have developed their own adaptations, in order to assimilate to the environments in
which they live.

There are many species of mammals that have developed varying adaptations to the different
environments in which they grace in. Mammals in cold climates, such as the arctics, have
many insulating layers, or a thick layer of fat or fur, in order to keep themselves warm in
contrast to the cold environment. This helps keep the body temperature constant. Other
mammals that dwell in deserts or other warm climates have developed adaptations in their
kidneys and sweat glands.

Of course, in extreme climates, some animals resort to hibernation, a state of winter

dormancy, or estivation, a state of summer dormancy. These processes help make energy
conservation and food conservation for these mammals viable.

A structural adaptation involves some part of an animal's body, such as the size or shape of
the teeth, the animal's body covering, or the way the animal moves.

 Movement - animals find food by moving from place to place.

 Teeth - since different animals eat different things, they don't all have the same kind
of teeth

 Body coverings - Hair, scales, spines, and feathers grow from the skin. All of these
parts help animals survive in their environments.

Of course, this leads us to the topic of vestigiality. Vestigiality refers to genetically

determined structures or attributes that have lost their ancestral function or usage, but have
been retained through evolution. These organs are rendered useless, so you can say they’re
more like evolutionary waste.

Behavior adaptations include activities that help an animal survive. Behavior adaptations can
be learned or instinctive (a behavior an animal is born with). Examples of behavioral
adaptations are:

 Social behavior - some animals live in solitude, while others live in groups.
  Behavior for protection - An animal's behavior sometimes helps to protect the
animal. For instance, a rabbit freezes when it thinks it has been seen.

 Migration – an animal or group of animals moving from one region to another and
then back again, typically seeking a place with better climate or better resources/food

BASIC TERMINOLOGY
Structural adaptation

This type of adaptation involves a physical part of a mammal’s body changing in order to
better adapt to its environment.

Protective coloration

This type of adaptation allows an animal to blend into its surroundings

Mimicry

This is the ability that allows an animal to look, sound, or act like another animal to avoid
predation

Behavioral adaptation

This type of adaptation includes behaviors that help an animal survive

Migration

This is a specific breed of behavioral adaptation that involves mammals or groups of

mammals traveling from one region to another and then back again

Hibernation

This is a type of adaptation that involves certain animals going into a deep slumberEvolve