Diversity of Life

Adaptations

Definitions

Characteristics that give an organism a better chance of survival – a survival advantage

Special traits that help living organisms survive in a particular environment.

Reasons for adaptations

To suit their habitat

For protection

For attack

For feeding

For movement

Q. Try listing the top 5 reasons why organisms have adaptations…

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Types of adaptations

Structural – external characteristics

size

shape

feet, eyes, bills, skin, scales

Types of adaptations

Behavioral - different ways of reacting to the environment

nocturnal

arboreal (lives in trees)

burrowing

Mating

Types of adaptations

Physiological - internal characteristics hibernation rumination (grass eaters) endothermic – can maintain own body temp. Eg: Humans and most animals Exothermic – can’t maintain own body temp, so need the sun to do this. Eg: All reptiles

Examples

Kangaroos moving in large groups is a behavioral adaptation - helps protect members of group from predators

Thick fur coat of arctic fox is a structural adaptation - helps protect it against cold weather

Camouflage is a physiological adaptation used by chameleons - helps blend into their changing environment

Try classifying the following examples as one of the three types of adaptations:

behavioural, structural, physiological

Sharp claws

Cat reacting at the sound of can of food opening

Skin colour darkens when exposed to sunlight

Flat teeth for grinding and chewing

What are these adaptations for?

What are these adaptations for?

Habitat: Dry inland Australia, including deserts and grasslands

Adaptations: It is able to go without drinking as long as green grass is available and it adapts well to drought.

They can hop as fast as 64 km and use this as their first line defense. 

Kangaroos have a tendon in the leg which acts like a rubber band, conserving energy as the animal moves.

Tail serves as a balance when the animal leaps and as a prop when it stands.

Kangaroos

Habitat: Cold oceans

Adaptations: Black and white colors. These colors help camouflage them.

Their blowhole is at the top of their head. This enables them to come up and breathe more easily.

Blubber keeps them warm in the frigid seas.

Orcas are the fastest mammals in the sea. They can travel up to 50 kph. Their speed helps them catch their prey.

Orca whales

Habitat: Wet, humid and hot jungles as well as icy cold forests

Adaptations: A tiger's hind limbs are longer than their forelimbs, an advantage for jumping.

The forelimbs and shoulders are well-muscled and the forelegs can twist inward, enabling the tiger to grab and hold large prey.

Underside of the paws have soft pads which allow tigers to quietly stalk their prey.

Tigers

Habitat: Tropical secondary forest

Adaptations: Opposable thumb enables manipulation of objects; big toe also opposable for grasping.

Large and powerful arms used to break stalks or uproot vegetation while foraging.

High intelligence probably an adaptation for finding scarce or isolated fruit plants in the rain forest.

Gorillas

Habitat: Dry deserts

Adaptations: Spines serve a number of purposes in addition to protection from hungry and thirsty animals.

They provide shade, serve as a windbreak to prevent dehydration from dry winds, and help trap warm air close to the plant.

Root systems of cacti are very close to the surface of the soil, making it possible for them to take advantage of the slightest rain shower.

Cacti

Habitat: Underwater

Adaptations: Little or no mechanical strengthening tissue in stems. If these plants are removed from the water, they hang limply. They are normally supported by water all around them and so have no need of mechanical strengthening.

Air-filled cavities often extend throughout the leaves and stems of aquatic plants, providing an internal atmosphere.

Algae

Air Plants

(Tillandsias)

HabitatNative to the American Tropics

Due to their amazing adaptation, they can live in a wide variety of climates.

Prefers rocky areas

Needs to have some moisture in the air but not too much like a rainforest

Loves sunlight

AdaptationsCapture all required water and nutrients via small scales on the leaf surface rather than through roots

They are able to conserve water and never need watering or to be planted in soil

Habitat:

Adaptations:

Ants

Habitat:

Adaptations:

Koalas

Habitat:

Adaptations:

Bandicoots

Habitat:

Adaptations:

Tiger snake

What is the environment your animal lives in?

Grassland

Grassy woodland

Heathy woodland

Swamp

Wetlands

Wet Heath

Design your animal to live in a particular part of the Cranbourne botanical gardens

When you are designing your animal what do you think you will need to consider?

Size, colour and shape

Body structure

Its diet

How it moves

How it catches food? Gets water?

Where does it shelter?

How does it defend itself against predators

How does it keep warm/cool?

How does it reproduce / care for its young?

So what adaptations are you going to give your animal to survive in the environment you chose?