How does the Kangaroo Rat survive the Arizona Desert without any water?

They get moisture from the seeds they eat.

How is this possible?

This is called Adaptation.

Animals make modifications to survive

their environment.

There are three kinds of adaptations.

Physical, Behavioral, and Structural.

A chameleon can change the color of his skin to match his surrounding. This is an example of a Physical adaptation. A Polar Bear can hide in plain sight against a snowy background. These are ways that animals can conceal themselves from predators or prey.

Another Physical adaptation is called a mimicry.This is when an animal looks like another to avoid being eaten. A Hoverfly looks like a Honey Bee. Animals know the stripped bee will sting them so they leave the Hoverfly alone.

The Hoverfly is on the right and the Honey Bee is on the left. They look almost the same.

The physical anatomy of an animal is also a Physical adaptation.

Ducks, Otters, and Frogs all have webbed feet for swimming.

Bears, Tigers, and Eagles all have claws to catch prey.

An example of a Behavioral Adaptation is an animals instincts. Birds migrate south for the winter to stay warm and find food. Salmon swim up stream to lay eggs, and sea turtles travel hundreds of miles to their nesting grounds.

Hibernation is also a Behavioral Adaptation. Bears hibernate for the winter. Their heart rate and breathing slows down, and they do not need to eat. Bears hibernate because food is scarce in the winter months.

Structural Adaptations are physical features on an animal. The fur on a bear protects it from the cold. Apex Preditors like the African Lion have large teeth to tear through meat and bones. Fish have scales to protect themselves from predators.

All animals have adapted to their environment in one way or another. Whether its Physical, Behavioral, or Structural. This adaptation has ensured animals survived throughout generations.

Can you think of a ways that you have adapted to your environment?

TEKS: Science 5.10.A

The students knows that organisms have structures and behaviors that help them survive within their environments.

The student is expected to compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and survive in a specific environment such as hooves on a prairie animals or webbed feet in aquatic animals.

My name is Mindy Moncus and I'm in my junior year of college at Texas Woman's University. I look forward to becoming an Elementary school teacher within the next few years. Thanks for taking the time to read my book.