ADAPTATION AND

SURVIVAL
How does adaptation lead to survival?
THINK ABOUT IT
To survive, all organisms must adapt to
their surroundings. This involves
adapting to survive the ecosystem's
climatic conditions, predators, and
other species that compete for the
same food and space.
Adaptation is important for the
survival of living organisms. The ability
of the organisms to adapt to different
situations and surroundings helps the
world to move ahead.
WHAT IS ADAPTATION?
An adaptation is any heritable trait
that helps an organism, such as a
plant or animal, survive and
reproduce in its environment.
An adaptation is a characteristic that
helps an animal survive in its habitat.
All animals must be able to obtain
food and water, protect themselves
from harm, withstand the climate, and
reproduce young so the species
doesn't become extinct.
If organisms cannot adapt to the
changes in their environment, they
may move to another location. If they
will not move, the species may
become threatened, or extinct.
TYPES OF ADAPTATION
Structural adaptations are how the
animal’s body functions or looks on the
outside. Body parts (like feet and ears)
and body coverings (like fur and scales)
are structural adaptations.

Blanding’s Turtles and other species of

turtles have a structural adaptation that
is very easy to see ― their shells. The shell
helps protect the soft organs In the turtle’s
body from predators. It also gives the
turtle a place to hide its head and legs if
danger is near.
TYPES OF ADAPTATION
Physiological adaptations are how the
animal’s body functions on the inside. This
includes changes in the cells, chemicals,
and processes inside an animal’s body.

Bluegills and other species of fish survive

cold winters in lakes and ponds because
the processes inside their bodies change
when it gets cold. Their metabolism slows
down to burn fewer calories and they
need less food. The fish also move slowly
to conserve their energy. In the spring,
their body processes speed up again as
the water gets warmer and there is more
food to eat
TYPES OF ADAPTATION

Behavioral adaptations are how an

animal acts. This includes actions like
hibernating and communicating.

Great Horned Owls and other species of

owls are nocturnal, meaning their
behavior adaptation is to sleep during
the day and be active at night. This
allows them to hunt for food in the dark
when it is easier to sneak up on their
prey.
HOW DOES
SPECIES IN THE
PHILIPPINES
ADAPT?
ADAPTATION
The Philippines are inhabited by more
than 200 species of mammals. It is an
archipelago consisting of some 7,100
islands and islets lying about 500 miles
(800 km) off the coast of Vietnam. Its
islands are classified into three main
geographical areas – Luzon, Visayas, and
Mindanao. Because of its archipelagic
nature, Philippines is a culturally diverse
country. With its topography consisting of
mountainous terrains, dense forests,
plains, and coastal areas, the Philippines
is rich in biodiversity and of course this
reflects in the wildlife; animals in the
philippines.
TARSIER
Tarsiers are distinguished by their enormously
large eyes and hands, padded fingertips, a tail
twice as long as their bodies, unusually long
tarsal or ankle bones (from which the name
'tarsier' derives), and a head that can rotate 180
degrees.
For example, the eyes of the tarsier are useful
because tarsiers are nocturnal, or nighttime
creatures. Having larger eyes allows them to see
better when it is dark outside. That long tail helps
the tarsier balance as it leaps from tree to tree,
and those padded digits help it grip tightly to
things in order to stay above ground. Those long
ankle bones (as well as some strong leg muscles
that make up about ¼ of the weight of the entire
tarsier) are also helpful for leaping around, which
you may have guessed by now is their primary
mode of travel.
BINTURONG
They are well adapted to surviving in the trees of
the forest. They have sharp claws that can grip
trees. Their tails help them maneuver in a number
of ways. Their short legs likely help them keep
balance and stay close to the tree branches.
Binturongs maintain a tight grip while walking
face-first down a tree by rotating their hind
paws 180 degrees. This allows their semi-
retractable claws to sink into the bark.
DUGONG
Dugongs have very bad eyesight. As a result of this, dugongs have
behaviourally adapted by feeling around for food and navigation through
their snouts. These snouts are very sensitive and are covered in bristles,
enabling the dugong to detect organisms such as sea grass beds. This also
helps dugongs to survive as the waters in which they usually live are murky
with high turbidity.
Dugongs do not have any features which can be used for protection or self
defence, instead they have learnt to adapt these responses and stay away
from conflict. Dugongs over time have been hunted for various parts
including meat and teeth. This has forced the dugongs to behaviourally
adapt in becoming quite reserved and timid and have learnt to fear other
animals and humans.
During the winter the dugongs habitat decreases in temperature. Dugongs
as a result have adapted in response to this change and have learnt to
travel long distances to warmer parts of the ocean, even if this means in
deeper areas.
PHILIPPINE CROCODILE
The Philippine Crocodile has between 66-68 teeth. A crocodile's teeth are
always growing. This means that their teeth are constantly falling out and
new ones are growing in. Its back is protected with armored plates made
of dermal bone.
Crocodiles can live up to a hundred years; the genus has hardly changed
in 200 million years. Crocodiles lay eggs in a nest and carry the youngsters
to water as they hatch.
They warm their bodies by lying in the sun, opening their mouths to release
heat if they become too warm. They can float just at the surface of the
water, with only ears, eyes and nostrils exposed, adjusting their buoyancy
by swallowing stones.