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* Chapter 2 Lesson 12 *
* Adaptation of animals *
Adaptation is the ability of living bodies to withstand changes in both internal and behavioral makeup so that they can survive and pass through all stages of the life cycle.
Animals in the polar regions have a body covered with fur or dense plumage, and under the skin they have a thick layer of fat, which keeps them warm. Also in order not to lose heat, the extremities, such as the muzzle and ears, are small. They have strong claws with which they can dig through the snow and help them move on the ice. Some insects can survive by freezing in winter and then thawing in summer, and a few species of fish and amphibians have a natural "antifreeze" in their blood that saves their vital organs from freezing.
To make it through the cold periods of the year, some creatures migrate to warmer areas of the globe, and others hibernate throughout the winter.
Desert animals have learned to survive on a small amount of water and food. They have fat stores that they use when they can't find food. Some stay hidden in the sand during the day, becoming active in the cool of the night. Others have long ears to remove excess heat. The light colored and thick fur on the upper part of the body protects them from the hot rays of the sun.
Giraffes' long necks and elephants' trunks allow them to reach treetop leaves, while smaller savanna herbivores are content with grass or shrub leaves. Zebras and buffalo gnaw the woody stems of tall grasses.
Living things in the aquatic environment show specific adaptations. The aerodynamic shape of the body, the transformation of the limbs into fins, as well as the presence of mucus on the surface of the body are some of them.
Many animals have adaptations for swimming. Ducks and geese, for example, have webbing between their toes. These birds and many others coat their feathers with their beaks, using a grease produced by a gland located above the tail. The plumage thus becomes impermeable to water.
Marine animals, along with food, swallow a large amount of salt water. To eliminate excess salt, they have special organs and body functions. Those that live at great depths are adapted to withstand water pressure. Some of them are endowed with organs that emit light.
Camouflage is also an adaptation to the environment. Camouflage helps them hide to avoid enemies or to get closer to prey. Camouflage by mimicry refers to both mimicking the environment through color and the behaviors of other species in order to survive. Teachers in the art of camouflage are chameleons, some species of butterflies, moths and insects.
Can you give examples of other adaptations of animals to different environments?