Adaptations

• The presence of specific features or certain habits, which enable a plant or an animal to live in its surroundings, is called adaptation.
• Different animals are adapted to their surroundings in different ways.
• Animals adapt through a series of small, random mutations and usually do so in order to compete more effectively for food, water and space.
• With such strong competition between species, the animals that have certain adaptations are more likely to be stronger.
• Generally, organisms adapt to their habitat by the following means:

Changes in body:

• Many plants and animals develop special body parts that help them to survive in their habitat. Such changes are termed modifications.

Changes in location:

• Certain animals (e.g., some birds and fish) move from one region to another in response to climatic changes.
• The seasonal movement of animals from one region to another is called migration.

Changes in behaviour:

• Many organisms show specialized behaviour to survive in their habitat.

Changes of behaviour in animals

For example:

• Some animals reduce their activities during winter months and go to a 'deep sleep' to deal with extremely low temperatures.
• The period of reduced activity in animals during winter months is known as hibernation.
• The period of reduced activity in animals during summer months is known as aestivation.