Animal Adaptations

Animals have traits (characteristics) that help them survive in the place where they live, these traits are called adaptations. Adaptations are inherited, or passed on from parents to offspring. Animal's feet, type of skin, bills, etc are important inherited adaptations that animals use to meet their needs to get food, breathe, protect themselves and reproduce.
Here are two examples: 

 

 

 Here is a game to identify some animals' adaptations, how many can you find?

http://www.ecokids.ca/PUB/eco_info/topics/climate/adaptations/index.cfm

You will find very interesting information about different animals and their adaptations. Click on the link and find information about 5 different animals and their special characteristics:

http://resources.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/homework/adaptation.htm

http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/adaptations

There are also adaptations for protection. The way animals look and act help them survive. Some animals protect themselves by looking similar to dangerous animals (mimicry). Others blend into the area around them so they are hard to see (camouflage).

many animals run, climb, hop, jump, fly, or swim away from danger. Some animals use poison to protect themselves. Special body parts like shells, teeth, claws, hooves, beaks, or pointed body parts can protect animals from danger. You will find more information at:

 http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/teacher_resources/webfieldtrips/hab_adaptation/

Here is also a list of the many different adaptations for protection that animals may have:

Adaptation of Animals for Protection

Adaptation of Animals for Protection

1.    Camouflage

Camouflage is a method used by animals to blend its color with their environment so that they cannot easily be seen..

a.     Praying Mantis is about the same color green as the plants on which
it stays.

b.     Grasshopper blend with the green color of leaves and grass.

c.     Caterpillar assume the green color on trees and leaves where they
live.

2.   Warning Coloration

Insects that are brightly colored are often poisonous. After one taste of such insects, predators learn to avoid them.

a.    Caterpillar

The bright colors of caterpillars act as a warning to predators.

b.    Ladybird beetle

Ladybird beetle is inedible. They are usually brightly colored and spotted

3.     Poisonous Liquid

g.    Bugs and Beetles

They produce poisonous liquid hat repels attackers.

b.   Toads and Frogs

They produce alkaloid. Alkaloid is a poisonous substance that can seriously injure a predator such as a coyote or a dog.

4.     Mimicry

Mimicry is the copying of the shape, color and habits of other animals.

a.    Spiders

They construct their abdomen to look like ants. Enemies think they are ants that can bite and so they move away from them.

b.    Green Herons

They attempt to look straight like tree branches. Blending themselves with the environment protect them from enemies.

5.     Body Structure

a.    Sharp Spines

Porcupines have arsenal for their protection. Their sharp spines ward off enemies from attacking them.

b.    Hard Shells

Turtles hide in their hard shells when attacked by enemies.

c.    Slippery Skin

Hito and eel protect themselves with slippery skin. Frogs also use their slippery skin to get rid of attackers.

d.    Pincers

Scorpions and centipedes have harmful pincers. They use these pincers when predator attack them.

e.    Horns

Cows, carabaos and tamaraws use their horn to protect themselves from enemies.

 

(Source: Hubpages)

Mimicry in snakes:

The scarlet king snake which is not dangerous, has similar colors to the coral snake which is very poisonous to keep predators away.