Animal Adaptations - St. Clare Catholic Academy · Physical Adaptations Vs. Behavioral Adaptations Physical Adaptations- changes in an animal's body that helps it survive. Example:

Animal Adaptations

Adaptations Song

What is an Adaptation?

A characteristic of a living thing that helps it survive in its environment.

Why Do Animals Have Adaptations?

❏ To adapt to their environment.

❏ To protect themselves.

❏ To obtain food.

Listen & Retell

Physical Adaptations Vs. Behavioral Adaptations

Physical Adaptations- changes in an animal's body that helps it survive.

Example: A chameleon can change color to hide from its predators.

Behavioral Adaptations- changes in the way an animal acts in order to survive.

Example: Geese fly south in the fall to stay warm and find food.

Station #1- Giraffe

❏ Long necks to reach leaves high up in trees.

❏ Tough lips and very thick saliva that help protect the lips and tongue from thorns on the tree.

❏ Sleep standing up to protect itself from predators.

❏ Gulp water so that a predator cannot attack them.

Video: https://www.nationalgeographic.com.au/videos/giraffe-african-giant/adaptations-of-the-giraffe-3935.aspx

Station #2- Camel

❏ Long eyelashes and nostrils that can close to protect them from the desert sand.

❏ Lay down facing the sun to protect the rest of their body from heating up from the sun.

❏ Store fat in their humps for they can go months without eating.

❏ Roam for food during the cool night and rest during the day.

Station #3- Birds

❏ Geese fly south in the fall to stay warm and find food.

❏ Male peacocks show their bright feathers to attract female peacocks.

❏ Different shaped beaks depending on the what kind of food they eat.

❏ Birds’ bones are hollow, which makes their bodies lightweight and easier to fly.

Station #4- Frog

❏ Protective mucus covering to protect its skin.

❏ Automatically jump when they are touched to protect it from predators.

❏ Eyes on the top of their heads so that they can stay hidden in the water and see all around them.

❏ Webbed feet so they can swim faster and longer.

Station #5- Koala Bears❏ Toes with big gaps between them to help them grab branches and

climb.

❏ Spend most of their time high up in trees away from predators on the ground.

❏ Eat eucalyptus leaves, which are poisonous, but koalas have special bacteria in their intestines that break down the poisonous oil in the leaves.

❏ Live in social groups with other koalas, but each has their own tree. They scratch their own trees so that everyone knows who lives there.

Exit Ticket

Name one physical adaptation and one behavioral adaptation of two of these animals.

Koala BearGiraffeCamelFrogBird

Homework

Match each animal with its correct physical and behavioral adaptations.