Animal adaptations

Animal adaptations

BTEOTSSSBAT know how animals adapt to different

environments

SummaryOrganisms are well adapted to survive in their normal environment. Population size depends on a variety of factors including competition, predation, disease and human influences. Changes in the environment may affect the distribution and behaviour of organisms.

Key words AdaptationArcticBiomassCamouflageCompetitorDesertHabitatOrganismPredatorPredationPrey

The desert:

1)

2)

3)

Starter: Use three words to describe each of these environments.

The Arctic:

1)

2)

3)

Adaptation

• Adaptation is a special feature or behaviour that makes an organism particularly suited to its habitat.

• Adaptations may be general or specific.

• General = having legs to walk or fins to swim• Specific = special features so an animal can

survive in is environment

What are a shark’s general adaptations to life in an aquatic environment?

A Shark’s General Adaptations

streamlined shape to reduce friction when moving through water

gills have a large surface area so that oxygen can be extracted from the surrounding water

fins provide stability, power and control

What are a shark’s specific adaptations to life as an aquatic predator?

highly sensitive sense of smell that can detect drops of blood from miles away

lots of very sharp teeth that are constantly replaced

silver colouring underneath acts as camouflage

specialized sense organs can detect the sound, movement and electrical fields of other organisms

A Shark’s Specific Adaptations

Compare these two animals…

Desert Fox Arctic Fox

Adaptations

• The two environments we saw before are harsh environments for animals to survive in so the animals have had to adapt to survive.

Animals in Cold Climates

• Arctic animals must keep themselves warm to survive.

• You loose body heat through your body surface, mainly your skin.

• Arctic animals have developed many adaptations to help them survive…

Look at the following…

What do these animals have in

common?

Animals in Cold Climates

Common features:- Thick fur coats- Layer of blubber under the skin- Colour – many change colour in the

summer

- What about body shape?

Body Shape

- Have fat, round body shapes with short legs

- Have small ears – why?

Animals in Dry Climates

• Animals in dry climates have to keep themselves cool to survive.

• They also have to cope with a lack of water.

• This means they are unable to loose heat through sweating – why?

Look at the following…

What do these animals have in

common?

Animals in Dry Climates

Common features:- Large thin ears- Little body fat- Thin, silky fur- Long limbs to help spread heat- They also often only come out at night. Why?

- What about body shape?

Body Shape

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

• Animals loose heat from the body surfaces that are in contact with the surrounding air/water.

• Reducing this contact surface reduces heat loss

• Increasing the surface increases heat loss

Surface Area to Volume Ratio

Hidden surfaces are exposed

Compare these two animals…

Desert Fox Arctic Fox

Can you add any adaptations or reasons for the adaptation?

True or false?