Adaptations

WHAT CAN HAPPEN TO LIVING THINGS WHEN THE WORLD AROUND THEM CHANGES ?

A GUIDE TO A WONDERFUL WORLD OF DIVERSITY

ADAPTATIONS

1. Key concepts 2. What is an adaptation? 3. Types of adaptations 4. What is speciation?5. Allopatric speciation 6. Sympatric speciation7. Reference videos 8. Activity

Index

Behavioral adaptation

Structural adaptation

Migration

mimicry

Environment

Camouflage

Hibernation

adaptation

KEY CONCEPTS

Seahorses are a type of fish that have unique adaptations that help them survive in the ocean, including the ability to use camouflage and change the color of their body. Long snouts help them find food, and excellent vision and eyes that can move independently are great for avoiding predators.

What is an Adaptation?

Adapting to survive!

Structural adaptation

Types of adaptations

Behavioral adaptation

A behavioral adaptation is something an organism does to survive.Animals do this as a reaction to the changes in climate in theirenvironment. Bears, skunks, bats, and snakes will hibernate (go into a deepsleep) during the coldest months of the year. On the other hand, birds,deer, elk, and moose will migrate to warmer climates as the temperaturedrops

A structural adaptation is a physical feature of an organism that haschanged over time. Often these develop due to the environment of the animal. A bird has feathers to help it fly, bears have fur to keep them warmin the winter. Camouflage and mimicry are other structuraladaptations. These help animals blend in with their environment to avoidpredators. A lizard’s body can change color, a praying mantis looks like aleaf, and many butterflies blend in with the flowers or trees they land on.

Examples of adaptations

Structural

This moth mimics a piece of wood.

Behavioral

It allows pandas to run away from danger if needed, and it allows them to get food.

Structural

This Sea Dragon immitates algae

Behavioral

A Jaguar swimming to get its prey

Speciation is how a new kind of plant or animal species is created. Speciation occurs when a group within a species separates from other members of its species and develops its own unique characteristics.

What is Speciation

Separated

Separated

Separated

Explore

Allopatric Speciation

occurs when a species separates into two separate groups which are isolated from one another. A physical barrier, such as a mountain range or a waterway, makes it impossible for them to breed with one another. Each species develops differently based on the demands of their unique habitat or the genetic characteristics of the group that are passed on to offspring.

Watch

Occurs when there are no physical barriers preventing any members of a species from mating with another, and all members are in close proximity to one another. A new species, perhaps based on a different food source or characteristic, seems to develop spontaneously. The theory is that some individuals become dependent on certain aspects of an environment—such as shelter or food sources—while others do not.

Sympatric Speciation

ViDEO

This video will help you understand a little bit more about speciation.

Speciation

Behavioral Adaptation

Allopatric or Sympatric

Adaptations

Practice your knowledge

Structural adaptation

Thank you!