- Change in an organisms physical structure or behaviour that improves its ability to survive in their habitat
- Anything that helps an organism survives in its environment is an adaptation
- Adaptation also refers to organisms’ ability to adjust to various conditions within its environment
- Examples: change in size of birds beak, development of sharp teeth and claws, etc.
Types of Adaptation:
- Structural adaptation-
- -involves physical features of an organism that helps it to strive and survive in its environment
- -ex: teeth, locomotion and body covering
- The shape of an animal’s teeth is related to its diet.
- Herbivores, such as deer, have many molars for chewing tough grass and plants.
- Carnivores, such as lions, have sharp canines to kill and tear meat.
Examples of Structural adaptations:
- Protective coloration (Camouflage)
- Example: Snakes
Mimicry
- Is a method used by animals to physically appear and behave like another animal to fool predators into thinking it is poisonous or dangerous.
- Coloration- color of fur, skin, feathers, etc.
- Ex: coloration on an animal’s fur coat can be the same color as trees, plants, and/or landscape during winter months
- Behavioural Adaptation:
- Actions and behaviours of an animal that are instinctive or can be learned
- Ex: rabbit freezes if it thinks that it has been seen by a predator
- Migration– involves group of animals moving to a new geographical area to another and then back
Reasons for migration:
- Better climate
- Greater chances of finding food
- Safety (safe place to raise young)
- Return to place of birth
Hibernation-
- A state of ‘deep sleep’
- Organisms body temperature drops to be able to conserve energy
- Ex: Bears and bats
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Cite this article as: William Anderson (Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team), "What is Adaptation? Types of Adaptations," in SchoolWorkHelper, 2019, https://schoolworkhelper.net/what-is-adaptation-types-of-adaptations/.