The most important survival trait is arguably adaptation. For an animal to survive in its environment and prolong its species, it must be able to adapt. Adaptation is changing something for a specific reason—in this case, survival. Physical adaptations refer to the changes to an animal’s physical features that help them survive. Here are some examples:
- A leopard’s fur pattern helps it camouflage while stalking its prey.
- A polar bear’s thick fur helps it survive in the cold.
- A monkey has 5 fingers and toes to help it move in the trees.
- A camel’s wide feet keep it from sinking into the sand.
- An eagle’s hooked beak helps it tear meat for eating.
The chapter, “A Case Study: The Koala and Its Adaptations”, from the lesson plan “Classification & Adaptation” breaks down the unique adaptations the koala has undergone in order to survive in their environment. The koala has adapted over time for its life in a tree. It is a medium-sized animal with thick, dense fur. Its fur is mainly gray. It looks like a cuddly teddy bear but it is actually a marsupial. A marsupial is an animal that has a pouch to carry its young. A kangaroo is another marsupial.
Koalas live in hot and dry climates. They have adapted by eating a lot of eucalyptus leaves. These leaves have so much water in them that koalas almost never need to drink. Koalas sleep for fourteen hours every day and then move from tree to tree at night. Their front paws have long, sharp claws. These help them climb from one tree to the next. Koalas also have another very special adaptation. They have an opposable thumb. That means they have two thumbs. This gives them an excellent grip for their life in a tree.
Pin the Physical Adaptations on the Koala!
The koala has many physical adaptations that have developed over generations to help it survive in its environment. Download this diagram of a koala. Lines point to special physical features which have been adapted. Use research tools and the reading above to label these adaptations.
Now, conduct your own case study on another animal of your choosing. Share your presentation to the class. Include comprehension-style questions for your audience to answer. Click here to review this complete Chapter Slice.