Adaptations For Survival Mrs Mc Leod 4 th

Adaptations For Survival Mrs. Mc. Leod 4 th grade

GEORGIA PERFORMANCE STANDARD S 4 L 2 a- Identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce better than organisms that do not have these features (for example: camouflage, use of hibernation, protection, etc)

Performance Objective Students will be able to identify external features of organisms that allow them to survive or reproduce better than organisms that do not have these features (for example: camouflage, use of hibernation, protection, etc)

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: How do plants and animals survive?

What do you know already? * Habitats

Adaptations ADAPTATION- physical feature or a behavior that helps a plant or animal survive. We know different animals and plants grow and nourish in different environments depending on their personal need.

• Niche- the role a plant or animal plays in its environment. A niche includes the kind of food an organism uses for energy, and the conditions the organism needs to survive. Many organisms share a habitat, but each organism has its own niche.

Adaptations to Habitat FOREST: Owls have large forward-facing eyes and ear-holes for sharply focusing sounds and images from great distances.

RAINFOREST: Water that stays on leaves can cause disease. The leaves of many rainforest plants have pointed ends that allow rainwater to drip off.

DESERT: Light-colored fur helps the jackrabbit blend into its surroundings. Its large ears help it keep cool in the desert by giving off heat.

TUNDRA: The musk ox’s habitat is cold and snowy much of the year. How does the musk ox’s thick fur help it survive?

CAMOUFLAGE: Camouflage- the coloring, marking, or other physical appearance of an animal that helps it blend in with its surroundings. Some animals’ fur color and pattern help it blend into its environment for protection. EX. a deer

Some animals change color as their environment changes to blend for protection. EX. Lizards

COLOR and MIMICRY WARNING COLORATION- when some animals have bright colors that let other animals see them easily. EX. Bumble bee- bright yellow can warn of painful stings.

MIMICRY- an adaptation in which an animal protects itself by looking like another animal or plant. EX. South American owl butterfly

Mimicry Video Mimic Octopus

BEHAVIOR Behavior and appearance can help a predator as it hunts its prey. EX. Humpback whales EX. Wolves EX. Rabbits EX. Zebras

Humpback whale Video Hunting Technique

HIBERNATE- when animals go into a deep sleep during which an animal uses very little energy and usually does not need to eat. EX. Bear

REVIEW Camouflage helps animals blend into their surroundings. Mimicry helps animals protect themselves by looking like other things. ADAPTATION Some animals hibernate to survive winter cold. Hunting in groups helps some animals survive.

Review What is the definition of adaptation? What is an example of camouflage? What is the definition for mimicry? Why is mimicry important? What does warning coloration tell us about an animal? Would a dolphin’s habitat be in the desert? Would a giraffe’s habitat be in the ocean? Why is niche important? Name more non examples of an animal and a habitat.