What Are Adaptations?What Are Adaptations?

CamouflageCamouflage An animal’s color can help it blend into its

surroundings. Blending due to color is called camouflage (KAM·uh·flahzh).

Protective ResemblanceProtective Resemblance

Look at the picture. That isn’t a leaf – it’s an insect! Its body resembles its environment very closely. This is protective resemblance. The fact that an animal resembles something else protects it.

AdaptationsAdaptations

Camouflage and protective resemblance are examples of adaptations (ad·uhp·TAY·shuhnz). Adaptations are traits or behaviors that help organisms survive.

Physical AdaptationsPhysical Adaptations

Body adaptations are called physical adaptations. Here are just a few. Animal adaptations happen naturally. Only an adaptation that helps an animal survive is likely to become common.

• Gills and Fins• Fur• Legs• Neck• Shell• Trunk• Bright Color

camouflagecamouflage

• Blending due to color.

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adaptationsadaptations

• Traits or behaviors that help an organism to survive.

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