Lesson 3

Adaptation and
How do adaptations help animals Materials

survive in their environment?

Survival
Form a Hypothesis
Sow bugs are animals that live under logs, leaves, and
rocks. Are sow bugs adapted to prefer damp or dry
environments? Write your answer as a hypothesis in
the form “If moisture in the sow bug’s environment is
increased, then . . .”

Test Your Hypothesis • sow bugs

• tray
Observe Place 15 sow bugs on the tray. Examine
the sow bugs with the hand lens. Record your • hand lens
observations. • paper towels
Experiment Tear four paper towels in half. Make sure • water
they are the same size. Dampen two of the halves.
Move the sow bugs to the center of the tray. Place
the moist paper towels in one end of the tray. Place
the dry paper towels on the opposite side of the tray. Step

Watch the sow bugs for several minutes. Look for

changes in their behavior.
After 10 minutes, count the sow bugs on each side
of the tray. Record your results. Be Careful.
Wash your hands after handling sow bugs.

Draw Conclusions
Based on your observations, what traits help sow
bugs survive in their environments?
Step
What were the independent variable and dependent
variable? What variables remained constant?
Infer Did your results support your hypothesis?
Explain why or why not.
These spiny bugs look very similar to the plant
they are standing on. How does blending in with Explore More
an environment help an organism? Are sow bugs adapted to prefer dark or light
environments? Form a hypothesis and test it.
Then analyze and write a report of your results.

LS-4. Summarize that organisms can survive only in ecosystems in which their needs
can be met (e.g., food, water, shelter, air, carrying capacity, and waste disposal) ... SI-1. Select and safely use the appopriate tools to collect data when conducting
94 LS-5. Support how an organism’s patterns of behavior are related to the nature of investigations ... SI-3. Use evidence and observations to explain and communicate 95
ENGAGE that organism’s ecosystem ... the results of investigations. EXPLORE
 Behavioral Adaptations seasonal movement of animals to find
What is adaptation? An adjustment in an organism’s food, reproduce in better conditions,
behavior is a behavioral adaptation. or find a less severe climate. Other
Survival in any ecosystem is a constant
Main Idea For example, wolves traveling in packs animals such as bats, snakes, turtles,
LS-4, LS-5 struggle. An adaptation (ad•uhp•TAY•shuhn) is any
is a behavioral adaptation. Wolf packs and frogs hibernate to escape the cold.
Organisms have characteristic that helps an organism survive in its
can hunt large prey that one wolf alone Hibernation (hye•ber•NAY•shuhn) is a
adaptations that help environment. Over time, organisms with successful
them survive in their could not capture. Many prey animals period of inactivity during cold weather.
adaptations survive more frequently than other
environments. also travel in groups. Some fish swim The animals remain inactive until
organisms. Their offspring inherit these adaptations.
in schools which protects them from warmer temperatures return in spring.
Vocabulary Adaptations can be structural or behavioral.
predators. Symbiotic relationships are
adaptation, p. 96
also behavioral adaptations. Quick Check
camouflage, p. 101 Structural Adaptations Problem and Solution How do
protective coloration, p. 101 Structural adaptations are adjustments to internal Some behavioral adaptations help
animals survive seasonal changes in sea otters eat animals with shells?
protective resemblance, or external physical structures. Fur color, long
p. 101 limbs, strong jaws, and the ability to run fast are the climate. Many animals such as Critical Thinking What structural
mimicry, p. 102 structural adaptations. Some structural adaptations birds, butterflies, and fish migrate. and behavioral adaptations do
help organisms survive in certain environments. For Migration (mye•GRAY•shuhn) is a humans have?
-Glossary example, ducks have webbed feet that help them
at www.macmillanmh.com
survive in water. Cactuses have a thick, waxy cuticle
Reading Skill that prevents water loss in their dry environment.
Problem and Solution Other structural adaptations protect prey Behavioral Adaptation Sea otters eat shelled
from predators or enable predators to hunt more animals, such as crabs and clams. They crack
Problem open the shells using rocks. An otter will hold
successfully. Turtles have hard shells that protect
a rock on its stomach and smash the crab or
them from predators. Predators such as sharks have clam against the rock.
an excellent sense of smell and sharp teeth. Both of
Steps to Solution these traits help sharks catch their prey.

Solution Behavioral Adaptation Elephants

Structural Adaptation When have complex social behaviors.
puffer fish are threatened, Adult elephants form herds
they fill their bodies with air which protect their young
or water. As they fill up, their from predators and
spines are pushed out. Their other dangers. Young
spines and large size protect elephants will often
them from predators. hold on to their
mothers’ tails to stay
close to the herd.
Structural Adaptation Many
plants, such as roses and
cactuses, have thorns or
spines on their stems. These
modified leaves protect the
plant from herbivores.

96 97
EXPLAIN EXPLAIN
 What are some plant adaptations? from the moist air. Like many rain-
forest plants, orchids have drip-tip
Angiosperms have scented flowers that attract certain
leaves. These leaves are adapted to
pollinators. They have leaves that catch sunlight and roots that
the constant wet conditions in a rain
soak up water. These and other adaptations help plants survive.
forest. Their tips drain excess water.
Some plants have specific structural adaptations to different
Leaf
Plants, like cactuses, that live in hot
environments. Rain-forest plants, like orchids, have adaptations
and dry environments have thick, waxy Adaptations
that help them survive wet, hot temperatures. Orchid stems
stems that prevent water loss. They Examine an oak leaf,
have storage organs called pseudobulbs (SEW•doh•bulbz). They
have very dense, shallow roots that pine needles, and an
store water for the plant. An orchid’s aerial roots help secure it
soak up rain quickly. Plants that live in elodea leaf. Draw what
to a tree high in the rain forest. These roots also absorb water you see.
forests, like oak trees, lose their leaves
in the winter. This helps them prevent Measure Use a ruler to measure
Rain-Forest Adaptations water loss. Cold climate plants, such each leaf. Record your data.
as moss, are able to complete their life Break open each leaf. How do the
cycle in a shortened growing season. leaves compare?
Stems Some aquatic plants, such as water Infer Which environments are each
Pseudobulbs lilies, have stomata on the top surface of the leaves adapted to? Explain.
store water.
of the leaf instead of the bottom. This
enables the stomata to take in and
release carbon dioxide and oxygen.
Many plants have adaptations
that defend them from herbivores.
For example, some plants produce
chemicals that give them a bad taste.
When most herbivores eat the leaves,
they do not like the taste and stop
eating the plant. Other plants, such
as milkweeds, produce chemicals that
Leaves Drip-tip leaves are poisonous to most animals. Both
drain excess water. of these adaptations protect the plants
Roots Aerial roots from predators.
absorb water from air.

Quick Check
Problem and Solution How do
water plants release oxygen and
take in carbon dioxide?
Read a Diagram
Critical Thinking Why do
Which part of the orchid is the pseudobulb a part of? adaptations always “fit” the Water Adaptation These water lilies
Clue: Look at the diagram and the photo. What is the environment? For example, why have stomata on top of their leaves.
pseudobulb attached to? don’t cactuses have drip-tip leaves?
98 99
EXPLAIN
EXPLAIN
What are some animal
adaptations?
Like plants, animals have
adaptations that help them survive in
specific environments. Animals that live
in cold climates have thick fur and extra
body fat that keep them warm. Desert
animals are often active at night, or
nocturnal. They stay in shelters or
underground burrows during the day
and avoid the heat. Nocturnal animals
come out at night to search for food.
Animals that live in water also
have adaptations. Aquatic animals
are usually much more streamlined
than land animals. This allows
them to swim quickly through the
water. Aquatic mammals can hold
their breath for long periods of
time. Other aquatic animals breathe
underwater using gills.
Many animal adaptations develop
because of predator and prey
relationships. Prey have adaptations
that enable them to avoid predators.
Predators have adaptations that
help them hunt and capture prey.
Prey animals, such as gazelles, are
able to run at speeds of up to 80
kilometers per hour (49.7 miles per
hour). Some animals use chemicals to
escape predators. When skunks are
threatened, they spray a bad-smelling
liquid. These adaptations help prey
escape predators.
Predators also have adaptations
that make them more efficient hunters.
Owls, for example, have several
adaptations that make them successful
night hunters.
100
EXPLAIN
Camouflage
Head Owls have excellent hearing
which helps them hunt. One of their
Some organisms increase their
survival in an environment by blending
ears is higher than the other. This in. Any coloring, shape, or pattern that
increases their ability to distinguish allows an organism to blend in with
where sounds are coming from and its environment is called camouflage
how far away a sound is. (KAM•uh•flahzh). Predators with
camouflage can sneak up on prey.
Camouflage also helps prey animals
Eyes Owls have hide from predators.
large eyes which
help them Protective coloration (pruh•TEK•tiv
see tiny prey, kul•uh•RAY•shuhn) is a type of
such as mice, camouflage in which the color of
in the dark. an animal helps it blend in with its
Their eyes are background. In winter, the arctic fox
positioned at has a white coat that blends in with This pipefish resembles the sea grass
the front of
the snow. In summer, the fox’s coat
in its environment.
their head
which gives changes color to help it blend in with
the plants that grow in the warm Quick Check
them better
vision. weather. Similarly, a tiger’s stripes Problem and Solution How could
make it difficult to see in the grass. you tell whether a rabbit comes
Stripes help a tiger conceal itself from from a cold weather or a warm
its prey. weather environment?
Wings An owl’s
large, muscular Some organisms go beyond Critical Thinking Many flowering
wings help it protective coloration. Matching
swiftly hunt for
plants have brightly colored flowers
the color, shape, and texture of an that are very noticeable. Why don’t
prey. Special
environment is called protective
tips on the wing these plants use camouflage?
feathers muffle the
resemblance (ri•ZEM•bluhns). The
walking stick insect, for example,
sound of air rushing
over the wings as the resembles a stick or a small branch.
owl flies. This helps the owl
fly silently.
Feet An owl’s feet are also
adapted for hunting. They
have large talons, or claws,
for accurately grabbing prey.
This adaptation helps them
pick up larger prey animals. Protective coloration helps arctic hares
blend in with their snowy environment.
101
EXPLAIN
What is mimicry?
Some animals have adapted to their Predators also use mimicry. Instead
environment by copying other well- of warning their prey, they use mimicry Visual Summary Think, Talk, and Write
adapted organisms. An adaptation in to deceive it. Some snapping turtles,
Adaptations are Main Idea What are structural and
which an animal is protected against for example, have the ability to wag a behavioral adaptations?
predators by its resemblance to an fleshy “lure” in their mouth. The lure traits that help
organisms survive in
unpleasant animal is called mimicry looks like a worm. When fish come their environments. Vocabulary An organism imitating a
(MIM•i•kree). The viceroy butterfly, for closer to try to eat the “worm,” the harmful organism is called .
example, is protected from predators turtles catch the fish.
because it looks just like the bad- Problem and Solution How are
Plant adaptations
tasting, poisonous monarch butterfly. Quick Check include variations in
aquatic animals able to survive in water?

Problem and Solution How do

Problem
Mimic organisms can look so their leaves, flowers,
much like a dangerous or unpleasant snapping turtles solve the problem stems, and roots that
help them survive in
animal that their enemies stay away. of catching fish? Steps to Solution

different environments.
The harmless robber fly resembles the
Critical Thinking How does Animal adaptations
dangerous bumblebee. The king snake Solution
mimicry increase an organism’s include camouflage
mimics the coloring of the poisonous
chance of survival? and mimicry.
coral snake. Critical Thinking Can adaptations be
both behavioral and structural? Explain.

Test Prep Which of the following are

Snake Mimicry adaptations for cold weather?
Make a A thick fur, big ears
coral snake B thick fur, body fat
Study Guide
C body fat, gills
Make a Trifold D sleek shape, gills
Book. Use the
titles shown.
Test Prep Which of the following is
Tell what you
a behavioral adaptation?
king snake learned about
each topic. A scaly skin
B sharp teeth
C hibernation
D camouflage

Writing Link Art Link

Fictional Narrative
Read a Photo Why does the giraffe have a long neck?
How does its neck help the giraffe survive
How can you tell a king snake from a coral snake? in its environment? Write a story about
Clue: Look for key differences in skin pattern. how the giraffe might have acquired this
adaptation.
Adaptation Art
Make a painting or drawing that
illustrates an animal using camouflage,
protective coloration, protective
resemblance, or mimicry.

102 -Review Summaries and quizzes online at www.macmillanmh.com 103

EXPLAIN EVALUATE