learn more about adaptations that help animals and plants to survive

1. Adaptations
By Jawaria Salman

2. Little Daisy is enjoying in the snow but at the same
time she wonders how animals like the polar bear
and penguin withstand the freezing cold of their
habitat.
Let’s help her understand:

3. Everyone adapts!
Just like wearing warm clothes helps us to bear the cold, other
organisms also have special abilities called adaptations.
But what is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a structure or behavior developed by an organism so
that the organism becomes more suited to survive in its environment.

4. Different types of Adaptations
Organisms have three types of adaptations!
1. Structural Adaptations
2. Behavioral Adaptations
3. Physiological Adaptations

5. Three types of Adaptations
• Structural adaptations are the features of an
organism’s body structures. E.g. the leaves of
cacti are reduced to needles to reduce water
loss.
• Behavioral adaptations are differences in the
way an animal behaves. E.g. the needles
defend the cacti against enemies.
• Physiological adaptations are changes in the
way an organism functions internally. E.g.
photosynthesis in cacti takes place in the stem
because it is waxy and succulent.

6. Rattlesnake in the Desert
Long, narrow body to slither easily on
the sand and creep into small holes to
search for prey.
If the rattlesnake feeds on a larger
prey like an antelope it can survive
without food for a month or two.
The rattlesnake produces
venom within its body.
The rattlesnake can blend in with
its surroundings.
Big eyes to look around for prey.

7. Owl in the Forest
Large eyes that can see very well
even when there is little light.
Sharp talons to grab prey.
Neck has a large turning radius
and is flexible for following prey
as they move.
Owls are nocturnal so they do not
have a competition for food with
other birds.

8. Seaweed in the Ocean
The seaweed has tough fronds (leaf-
like parts) to avoid being torn by the
water.
Seaweeds have a waxy outer
layer to reduce fresh water
loss.
Some seaweed have air sacks
in their leaves to aid floating
so they can absorb more
sunlight.
Seaweeds produces structures
called holdfasts to anchor the
plant.

9. Venus Flytrap in the Savana
Tiny hair sense the presence of
any insect or small animals. In the absence of bugs the plant can still
carry out photosynthesis to make food.
The plant has jaw-like leaves to
trap the prey.
Has bright colours to attract
insects.

10. Camel in the Snow?
• If a camel is shifted to the Arctic it wouldn’t be able
to survive.
• As it has adaptations to reduce water loss and keep
cool.
• In the Arctic the climate remains cold unlike the
desert.
• In general, organisms have adaptations to survive in
their habitat. If they are moved to another habitat,
their own adaptations would kill them.

11. Summary
Daisy now learnt:
• Organisms have special features or behaviors to
survive in their environment called adaptations.
• Three types of adaptations are structural, behavioral
and physiological adaptations.
• Adaptations are important for an organism to survive.
• Organisms will be unable to survive if changes are
made to their habitat.