Lesson 2. What are some Adaptations for Living in

Water and on Land?

November, 2013Mrs. Giselle Aguilar

Adaptations for Water • Plants and animals much or all of their time

in water have a variety of adaptationsfor surviving in an aquatic environment.

• Many aquatic animals such as fish, octopuses, and diving birds have adaptations that enable them to move quickly in water. Fish, clams, and sea slugs have gills to extract oxygen from the water.

• Aquatic plants have adaptations such as floats and broad, flat fronds that help them capture the maximum amount of sunlight.

• The basic needs animals living in water have are the same as other living things such as: find food, avoid being eaten, attract mates, protect young, and survive in its environment.

Examples of Animals with Adaptations for Living in Water

• Sea otters have powerful lungs, the front paws can group and pryopen shelfish. Has a thick, waterproof fur that keeps the sea otter warm and dry.

• This sea slug has a gill-like organ that takes in oxygen from water and gets rid of carbon dioxide from its body.

The clam gets oxygen from water that flows over its gills.

Jet Propulsion An octopus takes in water and removes oxygen from it. Then it sends the water out of its body through a short funnel.

Fish have gills to absorb oxygenfrom the water and release carbon dioxide into water.

• Barracudas have a slik• body, a slender body,• a strong tail fin, and • skin that secrets• mucus.

Classwork

1. What are the basic needs of an animal that lives in water?

2. How do fish breathe underwater? 3. Name two adaptations that enable the

barracuda to swim swiftly through the water.

Adaptations for Land

• Animals on land face challenges not faced by organisms that live in the water. They must get and retain water, extract oxygen from the air, and support their weight.

• Land animals have a variety of adaptations that enable them tomove around, including jointed legs and wings.

Examples of Adaptations on Land

• Owls have strong wings. Their special feathers make the swishing sound most birdsmake as they fly. This Adaptation helps owls hunt.

• Hard-shelled EggsThe hard-shelled eggs of birds have tiny holes. The holes are large enough for oxygen to pass through, but they are too small for water to pass though easily. This adaptations prevents the developing bird from drying out.

• SkinThe skin that covers the deer´s body has many functions. It keeps the deer´s body from drying out by slowing water loss.Legs The white-tailed deer has strong legs. Bones and muscles are adaptationsthat support the weight of the deer and help it run away from enemies.