VMBO Year 3 · Ecology · Section 6.5
Adaptations in animals
How do animals fit their environment?
Adaptations are inherited features that can improve survival and reproduction in particular conditions. Body shape, colour, legs and beaks can all be adapted to movement, feeding or avoiding predators. These features arise through evolution over generations rather than through an individual's conscious effort.
Aquatic animals
Many swimming animals have a streamlined body with few projections, reducing resistance in water. Fish often have a smooth, mucus-covered surface that reduces friction and provides protection. Camouflage makes an animal less noticeable to predators or prey. A dark back and pale underside can provide countershading: from above, the back blends with darker water; from below, the underside blends with the brighter surface.
Land mammals and their feet
- Plantigrade animals, such as bears, place much of the sole on the ground. This provides a broad supporting surface.
- Digitigrade animals, such as cats, walk on their toes. Their limb structure can support running and jumping.
- Unguligrade animals, such as horses, walk on the tips of toes protected by hooves. Their limbs are adapted for efficient movement, often including fast running.
These are different solutions to supporting and moving the body.
Bird beaks and food
A bird's beak often provides clues to its diet.
- Conical beak: short and strong for cracking seeds.
- Tweezers-like beak: narrow and pointed for picking up insects.
- Hooked beak: sharp and curved for tearing animal food.
- Filter-feeding beak: broad, with structures that strain food from water.
- Probing beak: long and slender for reaching food in mud, sand or shallow water.
Bird feet and habitats
Waterbirds often have webbed feet for swimming. Wading birds have long legs for moving through shallow water. Beaks and feet work together with other adaptations to suit a bird's feeding habits and habitat.
Glossary
- Streamlined
- Having a shape that reduces resistance when moving through water or air.
- Hooked beak
- A curved, sharp beak suited to tearing prey or other animal food.
- Unguligrade animals
- Animals walking on the tips of toes enclosed in hooves.
- Conical beak
- A short, strong beak suited to cracking seeds.
- Tweezers-like beak
- A slender, pointed beak suited to picking up small food items such as insects.
- Probing beak
- A long, thin beak used to reach food in soft ground or shallow water.
- Camouflage
- Features such as colour or pattern that make an animal less noticeable against its surroundings.
- Digitigrade animals
- Animals walking on their toes rather than the whole sole.
- Filter-feeding beak
- A broad beak with structures for straining food from water.
- Plantigrade animals
- Animals walking on much of the sole, giving a relatively broad supporting surface.