adaptations
What does a bear’s thick fur help it do?
Answer: It helps the bear stay warm in cold weather.
How do desert animals like camels stay cool in hot weather?
Camels have thick fur to protect them from the sun, and they store water in their bodies to survive without drinking for a long time.
Why did the peppered moths change color during the Industrial Revolution?
The peppered moths became darker because pollution from factories made the trees darker. The darker moths were better camouflaged from predators, so they survived and reproduced more.
I am the fastest land animal.
I have spots on my body.
I live in grasslands and savannas.
I can run very fast for short distances.
I hunt smaller animals like gazelles.
Cheetah
What is the purpose of a zebra’s stripes?
The stripes help the zebra blend into the grass and hide from predators.
Why do animals in the rainforest have bright colors?
Answer: Bright colors help animals like frogs and birds attract mates or warn predators that they are poisonous.
How did Darwin's finches develop different beaks?
Darwin’s finches developed different beaks because they lived on different islands with different food sources. Birds with beaks suited to their food (like small seeds or insects) survived better and passed on their traits.
I have no legs.
I slither on the ground.
I eat small animals, and some of us are venomous.
I live in many places, from deserts to forests.
I shed my skin as I grow.
Snake
How does a giraffe’s long neck help it survive?
A giraffe's long neck helps it reach and eat leaves from tall trees.
How do animals in cold climates, like penguins, stay warm?
Answer: Penguins have thick layers of fat and feathers to keep them warm in freezing temperatures.
Why do giraffes have long necks?
Giraffes with longer necks could reach more leaves high in trees, so they had more food and survived better. Over time, more giraffes were born with long necks because this trait helped them live longer and reproduce.
I am known for my brightly colored feathers.
My feathers are used in beautiful displays to attract mates.
I live in tropical rainforests.
I can be found in places like Papua New Guinea and Australia.
I have a unique and extravagant shape when I dance or display my feathers.
I do not fly very much and prefer hopping around on the ground.
Bird of Paradise
How do polar bears stay warm in freezing cold weather?
Polar bears have thick fur and a layer of fat under their skin to keep them warm.
What adaptation helps animals like owls hunt at night in the forest?
Answer: Owls have excellent night vision and can hear tiny sounds, which helps them find food in the dark.
What can be another word for natural selection?
Evolution
I live in very cold places, like the Arctic.
I have thick, white fur that helps me stay warm.
In the summer, my fur turns a little darker.
I have small ears to keep my body heat in.
I hunt small animals, like lemmings, and eat berries.
Arctic Fox
How does a porcupine protect itself from predators?
A porcupine has sharp quills that stick into predators if they try to attack.
Why do animals like arctic foxes have white fur in the winter?
The white fur helps arctic foxes blend into the snowy environment, keeping them safe from predators and helping them hunt for food.
Who first wrote about natural selection?
Charles Darwin
I move very slowly.
I live in the trees in tropical rainforests.
I have long claws that help me hang from tree branches.
I spend most of my time sleeping—up to 20 hours a day!
I eat leaves and fruit.
My fur is home to algae, which helps me blend into the trees.