Animal Adaptations - Project

[Animal Adaptations - Project What is an adaptation? It is the process which enables organisms to adjust to their environment in order to ensure survival. There are 3 types of adaptations: Behavioural Adaptations – Actions of an organism that enable them to survive in their environment. Example: Bears hibernate in winter to escape the cold temperatures and preserve energy; birds fly south for the winter to find more food (migration); organisms can camouflage with their surroundings to ward off predators. Structural Adaptations – Physical features of an organism that enable them to survive in their environment. Example: A penguin has blubber to protect itself from freezing temperatures; organisms with webbed feet to swim; sharp claws to break open nuts etc. Physiological Adaptations – Internal and/or cellular features of an organism that enable them to survive in their environment Example: Snakes produce poisonous venom to ward off predators and to capture prey. You have been learning about adaptations and how they make organisms better suited for their environment. For this assignment you will be learning more about one specific animal. You will need to research and explain the following about your animal: ● Common Name ● Scientific Name (Genus species) ● Detailed description of its habitat. ● Explain what limiting factors it has to deal with (i.e. extreme temperatures, water, finding food, avoiding predation, etc. - Be specific to your animal) ● Give its main food choices ● Explain at least 5 adaptations it has that make it successful in its environment. You must include both physical and behavioral adaptations. Make sure to explain how these adaptations help the organism survive in its habitat. ● You can include any other information about your animal that adds to reader’s understanding. ● At least 2 drawings or pictures that show its adaptations. ● Have a picture of its habitat. Expectations: ● Information to be written in a creative format (Google Slides, Canva poster or a report) ● All pictures must be labeled. ● All writing is in your own words. ● Edited for grammar, clarity and content. ● Organized and easy to read. ● Shows understanding of the material. ● Cite all the sources used for the project. Must have at least 3 sources. Mark Scheme /1 Common Name /1 Scientific Name /2 Description of habitat /2 Explanation of Limiting Factors /2 Food Choice /10 Explanation of 5 adaptations /3 Other information or interesting facts /2 Images or pictures of adaptations (with labels) /1 Images or pictures of habitat (with labels) /3 Works cited list (MLA format) /3 Overall quality of work (level of detail/language conventions/clarity/organization) /30 TOTAL Research Notes 1. Common Name: Flamingo 2. Scientific Name (Genus species): Phoenicopterus ruber 3. Detailed description of its habitat: Flamingos live in Caribben Islands and along the northern coast of South America. They tend to live in shallow salt water or alkaline lakes. 4. Explain what limiting factors it has to deal with: Limiting factors that flamingos are dealing with are the loss of their habitats caused by human activity and expansion. 5. Give its main food choices: Flamingos eat algae, small seeds, shrimp, and many other plants and animals that live in the shallow waters. 6. Explain at least 5 adaptations it has that make it successful in its environment. You must include both physical and behavioral adaptations. Make sure to explain how these adaptations help the organism survive in its habitat. 6.1. Flamingos enjoy taking single-leg postures. To save body heat and keep the foot warm, they curl one leg beneath the body. In hot and cold conditions, they enjoy standing on one leg. 6.2. A flamingo takes a few steps to get in the air then starts flapping its wings and takes off. When it wants to land, it repeats the process. They fly with their head and neck stretched out infront and the legs trailing behind. 6.3. The majority of flamingos prefer to reside in lakes with extremely high salinity levels, and for certain flamingos, boiling geysers are their only supply of fresh water. 6.4. They have very long legs to help them wade into much deeper waters than other birds. They also have webbed feet to help them walk on soft mud. 6.5. They typically sit with their legs tucked under them or stand with one leg lifted up while they relax. 7. Other Information: ● ● ● ● Flamingos lay only 1 egg a year Flamingos have a special; shaped beak so they could filter feed in the water. They hold it upside down to filter any food or water. The tallest flamingo can usually be around 187 cm They stand on one leg to save energy These are two flamingos in a shallow salty water lake. Here is a flamingo standing on one foot to save energy and preserve body heat. This is how flamingos rest, sitting down with their legs tucked underneath them. Works Cited “All About Flamingos - Adaptations.” SeaWorld.org, https://seaworld.org/animals/all-about/flamingos/adaptations/. Accessed 30 April 2024. “American flamingo | Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute.” National Zoo, https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/american-flamingo. Accessed 30 April 2024. “Flamingo.” National Geographic Kids, https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/animals/birds/facts/flamingo. Accessed 30 April 2024. “Flamingo • Fun Facts and Information For Kids.” Folly Farm, https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/zoo/meet-the-zoo-animals/chilean-flamingo/. Accessed 30 April 2024.