Animal Adaptations

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Animal Adaptations

• Provided by
• City of Corpus Christi
• Museum of Science and History

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What is an adaptation?

• An adaptation is a change in an animals physical
  structure or behavior that helps an animal to
  survive in their habitat.
• Examples The shape of a birds beak, number of
  fingers and toes, or the color of an animals
  fur.
• Physical adaptations do not develop during one
  lifetime, but over many generations.

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Example of Adaptation

• The shape of an animals 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.

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Who experiences adaptations?

• All species have experienced adaptation and will
  continue to slowly adapt as the next generations
  are born.
• We will identify certain species from each of
  these groups and the reasons for their success
• Mammals
• Birds
• Reptiles
• Amphibians

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Mammals

• Endothermic or
• warm-blooded
• All have some type of hair
• Some are very specialized, such as white polar
  bear fur
• Method of locomotion
• Care for young

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Birds

• Leg Length
• Roseate Spoonbill (top right)
• Foot Webbing
• Laughing Gull (top left)
• Beak Shape
• Long Billed Curlew (bottom)

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Reptiles

• Ectothermic or cold- blooded
• Scales
• Some undergo hibernation and estivation
• Lay eggs on land
• Leg structure and position

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Amphibians

• Ectothermic
• Lay eggs in water
• Partially of fully webbed feet
• Have lungs or can absorb oxygen through their skin

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Animal Defense

• Some animals use these methods of defense to
  protect themselves
• Camouflage
• Snake
• Mimicry
• Mexican Milk Snake
• Bright colors
• Skunk and Poison Arrow Frog
• Hair projections
• Hedgehog quills
• Deer Antlers

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Adaptation Applications Lions

• Why are the eyes of a lion set in front of the
  head rather than on the sides?
• Answer Eyes in front of the head allow for depth
  perception and ability to judge distances when
  hunting.

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Adaptation Applications Lions

• What is the purpose of the mane on a male lion?
  What is the reason for the lions color?
• A thick mane helps the male to appear larger and
  serves as protection for the throat. The tawny
  brown coat color camouflages the animal and young
  among vegetation.

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Adaptation Applications Giraffe

• Why are giraffes able to go for long periods of
  time without water?
• Answer Giraffes drink water when available, but
  can go weeks without it. They rely on morning dew
  and the water content of their food.

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Adaptation Applications Giraffe

• How are their long necks adapted to their
  lifestyle?
• Answer This extra length is thought to have
  evolved to help the giraffe spot predators and
  other giraffes in the distance. Interestingly,
  giraffes and humans have the same number of
  vertebrate in their necks.

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Adaptation Applications Zebras

• How do zebras defend themselves?
• Capable of running up to 40 mph. Zebras defend
  themselves by kicking and biting. Coloration also
  plays a role in evading predators, although
  theories have not reached an agreement.

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More Information

• We are happy to provide tours through the museum
  as well as an Adaptation Trunk, which can be
  arranged with the Museums Education Department.
• We are also happy to provide further information
  regarding this topic. Please refer to our website
  at
• www.ccmuseum.com