Science: Animal Adaptations
How body parts and behaviors help animals survive
Science: Animal Adaptations
How body parts and behaviors help animals survive
Science - Grade 2-3
- 1
A duck has webbed feet. Explain how webbed feet help a duck survive.
Think about how a duck moves in a pond.
Webbed feet help a duck paddle through water more easily. This helps the duck swim to find food and stay safe. - 2
A polar bear has thick fur and a layer of fat. How do these adaptations help it live in a cold place?
Thick fur and fat keep a polar bear warm in very cold weather. These adaptations help the bear survive in icy habitats. - 3
A giraffe has a very long neck. Describe one way this body part helps the giraffe.
Think about where giraffes find food.
A giraffe's long neck helps it reach leaves high in trees. This helps the giraffe get food that other animals may not be able to reach. - 4
Some rabbits have fur that matches the ground around them. What is this adaptation called, and how does it help?
This adaptation is called camouflage. It helps rabbits blend in with their surroundings so predators have a harder time seeing them. - 5
A camel can live a long time with very little water. Explain how this helps the camel in the desert.
Think about what deserts are like.
This adaptation helps the camel survive in the desert where water is hard to find. The camel can keep going even when it cannot drink often. - 6
Birds have different kinds of beaks. Why might a bird that eats seeds have a short, strong beak?
A bird that eats seeds may have a short, strong beak to crack open hard seeds. This helps the bird get the food inside. - 7
A turtle can pull into its hard shell. How does this adaptation help the turtle?
Think about protection.
The turtle's hard shell helps protect its body from danger. Pulling into the shell helps keep the turtle safer from predators. - 8
Fish have gills. Explain how gills help fish live underwater.
Gills help fish get oxygen from water. This allows fish to breathe and live underwater. - 9
Some animals sleep through the cold winter. This is called hibernation. How does hibernation help them survive?
Think about food and energy in winter.
Hibernation helps animals save energy when it is very cold and food is hard to find. By sleeping for a long time, they can survive the winter. - 10
A chameleon can change color to blend in. Explain how this helps the chameleon.
Changing color helps the chameleon blend in with its surroundings. This can help it hide from predators and sometimes help it sneak up on prey. - 11
Why are sharp claws a helpful adaptation for some animals such as eagles or tigers?
Think about getting food and staying safe.
Sharp claws help some animals catch food, climb, or defend themselves. These abilities help them survive in their habitats. - 12
Penguins have feathers that help keep water out. How does this adaptation help penguins?
Water-resistant feathers help keep penguins dry and warm in cold water. This helps them swim and live in chilly places. - 13
Many desert animals are active at night instead of during the day. How does this behavior help them?
Think about daytime heat in the desert.
Being active at night helps desert animals avoid the hottest part of the day. This helps them stay cooler and save water. - 14
A frog has strong back legs. Describe how this adaptation helps the frog.
Strong back legs help a frog jump far and swim well. This helps the frog escape danger and move to places where it can find food. - 15
Choose one animal you know and name one adaptation it has. Explain how that adaptation helps it survive.
Pick an animal and think about a body part or behavior that helps it live.
One possible answer is that a shark has sharp teeth. Sharp teeth help a shark catch and eat food so it can survive.