How do creatures adapt? 1 Adaptation

1 BackgroundAnimals adapt to the environment in which they live (habitat). Marine

animals have many unique

adaptations, for example

the leatherback turtle can

dive to over 900m. Its

collapsible lungs and flexible shell help it

stand the high water pressure.

3 ResourcesWorksheets: What’s the difference?

What’s the adaptation? Ocean cross

section

2 Set the SceneDiscuss the things animals need to survive: oxygen, water, food, shelter and to reproduce. Record these for later.

6 Extend* Design a marine creature with specific

adaptations. Colour, label and share

with the class.

* Use ‘What’s the difference?’

to compare and contrast the

adaptations of two of the

creatures.

4 InvestigateIntroduce the idea of adaptation and discuss how animals have adapted to suit their habitats. Use images from ‘What’s the adaptation?’ to highlight particular features of each creature e.g the cloak of the vampire fish. As these creatures live in the deep sea, they have to survive wth limited light and prey. Discuss how children think the cloak may be used. Divide students into small groups. Each group to study one of the creatures from ‘What’s the adaptation? to decide: How is the creature suited to its habitat? How do they make sure they survive? How do they catch their food? Encourage students to observe the features carefully. Each group to share their ideas and observations. Use ‘Ocean Cross Section’ to see how they have really adapted. Draw comparisons between the adaptations of each.

5 ApplyStudents to select one of the marine animals, draw and label to show its adaptations.

7 ReflectAsk individuals to finish the sentence, ‘Today I have learned…’ Use responses to recap learning and revise the terms adaptation and habitat.

Subject/Topic:

A project made possible by

Suitable for: Older years

What’s the Difference? Name:

Look closely at your 2 chosen marine creatures. Record similarities and differences in their adaptations. Think about how they move, body shape, how they feed and where they live.

Ocean cross-section

Sunlight zone Sea level to 200mThe ocean can be split into

different depth zones (sunlight, twilight, midnight, the abyss and the hadal zone).

The gulper eel has a mouth much bigger than its own body – it can stretch its mouth really wide to eat large fish.

Some animals in the deep have adapted in really weird and wonderful ways. The angler fish uses a bioluminescent (bio – living, luminescent – light) lure to attract prey.

The vampire squid has a web of skin between its tentacles which is black on the inside with rows of spines, making it look like it’s wearing a Dracula cloak!

The tripod fish sits on the bottom balanced on special fins that allow it to snap up food as it swims by.

Twilight zone 200m to 1000m

Midnight zone 1000m to 4000m

Fishing has different impacts and can reach down to over 1000 metres.Below 200m there is

not enough sunlight to

allow plants to grow, and

below 1000m there is no

natural light at all.

Lots of animals

in the deep sea

produce their own

light; this can be used

for camouflage, to

attract prey, to blind

predators, to confuse

them, or to communicate.

Bobtail squid (Euprymna berryi)

Midnight zone 1000m to 4000m

What’s the adaptation?

Tripod fish

Vampire squidGulper eel

Angler fish