Animal Adaptations Compiled by Angel Van Horn Copernicus Project / RCOE from Utah Education Network
African Hedgehog • Have stiff spines that stick out from their bodies and help protect them. • Have loose skin under those spines and powerful back muscles. • Why?
North American Al igator • How are these al igator’s eyes adapted for seeing in water?
African Lion • What is the purpose of the mane on a male lion? • Why are the eyes of a lion set in the front of its head rather than on the sides? • A lion has heavily muscled forelimbs and shoulders. Why? • Why do they have forepaws equipped with long, retractile claws? • Why do they have a rough tongue? • Why do they have loose bel y skin?
Bactrian Camel • Camels have many adaptations that al ow them to live successful y in desert conditions. • Do you know what they are?
Koala • How are the hands of a koala adapted for life in a tree?
Sea Otters • Sea otters spend almost their entire lives in water. They eat, sleep, and even have their babies in water. • How is their fur adapted to keep them warm? • Why is it a critical situation when otters encounter oil spil s? • What do they eat?
Burmese Python • How are the mouths of pythons adapted to finding prey and swal owing large prey?
White-Cheek Gibbon • Why do many monkeys and apes have long arms? • Describe special adaptations on the hands of Gibbons.
Burrowing Bullfrog • What do they eat? • How do they hold on to prey that is struggling to escape?
California King Snake • Why can king snakes eat rattle snakes?
Beavers • How are beavers built for underwater work?
White Throated Savanna Monitor • How long are they? • What do they eat? • How are their mouths adapted to what they eat?
Giraffe • Why are giraffes able to go for long periods of time without water? • How are their long necks adapted to their lifestyle?
Lappet-faced Vulture • How are the heads of vultures adapted to what they eat?
Manatees • What special adaptations do manatees have that al ow them to stay under water longer than the average land-dwelling mammal?
Wal aroo • What do they eat? • How are their feet adapted to rock climbing?
Polar Bears • Why do polar bears have such big feet? • How does their fur keep them warm?
Platypus • How are platypuses adapted for the time they spend in water?
Gila Monster • What do Gila Monsters do to avoid the heat of the day? • What do Gila Monsters do in winter months to keep warm? • How do they survive during winter months with little food?
Additional Resources • http://www.veeriku.tartu.ee/~ppensa/animal_adaptation.html
