Behavioral Adaptations

Organisms adapt their behavior in order to survive.

• Hibernation

• Migration​

• Estivation​

​

​

Behavioral Adaptations

Hibernation-winter survival technique in which animals become inactive and bodily processes (temperature, breathing, heart rate) slow down.

• box turtles

• bears

• bats

• bumblebees​

​

​

​

Behavioral Adaptations

Migration-seasonal movement of animals from one habitat to another.

• birds (C)

• salmon (R)

• Monarch butterflies​ (C)

• zebras​ (F)

​

​

​

Behavioral Adaptations

Estivation-when organisms become dormant during the day to escape hot temperatures.

​

• desert tortoise

• earthworms

• crocodiles​

​

​

​

Behavioral Adaptations

Playing "Possum"-when frightened by an animal, a possum falls to the ground and appears to be dead.

​

​

Physical Adaptations

Structural modification made to a part of an animals body that helps it better survive in its environment.​

​

Physical Adaptations

• webbed feet

• beaks

• fur/feathers​

• camouflage

• ​mimicry

​

​

Physical Adaptations

Camouflage-​when an organism blends in with their environment.

Physical Adaptations

Mimicry-adaptation where one organism resembles another to help them survive.

​

Monarch butterflies are poisonous to ​birds and other mammals.

​

Physical Adaptations: Bird Beaks

The most important function of a bird beak (bill) is feeding, and it is shaped according to what a bird eats.

Cone Shaped Bill

Found in many birds such as cardinals and finches. It is a strong beak used for cracking seeds.

Thin Slender Bill

Thin, slender, pointed beaks are found mainly in insect eaters. They are used to pick insects off of leaves, twigs, and bark. Chickadees, swallows and warblers are a good example.

Long Tubular Bills

Hummingbirds have long, tubular bills that resemble straws, which they use to sip nectar from flowers.

Sharp Spear-like Bills

Blue Herons use their bills to spear the fish they eat.

Scoop Bills

The pelican​ uses its scoop shaped bill to scoop up fish from the water. They tip their head forward to drain out the water.

Sharp Hooked Beaks

Birds with sharp, "hooked" beaks catch and kill live prey. These beaks are used to bite the skull or neck and also to tear the body into pieces small enough to swallow.