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An adaptation is any characteristic that helps an organism survive in its habitat. Over time, organisms with better adaptations survive better, and they pass these adaptations to their offspring.

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Behavioral adaptations are simple: the way an organism behaves can help its survival. For example, when fish stick together in schools, more of them have a chance to survive a predator attach. One lone fish is sure death.

Other examples of behavioral adaptations are migration where an animal seeks a milder climate, and hibernation where the animal's body becomes inactive to help survive the cold.

Irrawaddy dolphins have adapted behaviorally to work with humans to catch fish. This is a symbiotic relationship, one where both organisms benefit each other.

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Bycatch is the most critical extinction threat facing marine megafauna in coastal seas, including the world's most endangered dolphins, porpoises, seals, dugongs, sharks, and marine turtles. These vulnerable species share coastal waters with small-scale fisheries that employ 99% of the world's 50 million fishers.

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Some fascinating behavioral adaptations are seen in ant colonies. We'll make an attempt to capture our own ants and watch them build their homes. Our first task it to attract the ants. They are attracted by sugar, potato chip crumbs, bread, old fruit, and dead pieces of bugs. Which of these do you think will best attract ants? Do you think another substance might better attract the ants we want? Remember, we can't keep fire ants; it's too painful. We're hoping for sugar ants or carpenter ants.

Record this process in your science notebook.

Prediction: I think ____________________________________ will best attract ants we can use because _______.

Procedure: Place a sample of each "lure" in a clean plastic jar. Leave the jars outside. Check them each day for ants.

In this experiment, describe each of the follwing.

-Constant Variables:

-Independent Variables:

-Dependent Variables:

Observations: What do you observe each day? How long did it take to attract the first ant? a group of about 20?

Conclusions: Based on your observations, which substance best attracted the ants?

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Ants are very fast insects and look hard to catch. However, there are many ways to catch ants, from setting traps with bait to active hunting. Be sure to research your area to know which ants can be collected before starting your search....

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Animals migrate to find climates that suit them well or to return to breeding grounds. They can face many hardships in their move. This video documents a 180-mile migration that scientist didn't even realize existed until they began to monitor mule deer with a GPS.

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A Deer Migration You Have to See to Believe | National Geographic

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Food is scarce in many habitats in the winter months. As the body becomes inactive through hibernatio, there is no need for food. This video shows the end of autumn as 3 black bears prepare for the winter.

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structural adaptation - any adjustment to the body of an organism, whether internal or external

Examples:

A turtles' shell protects.

A duck's webbed feet speed swimming.

A shark's teeth capture food.

A flower's bright petals attract pollinators.

This beautiful video introduces us to plant boasting the second largest leaf in the world. Its physical adaptations for reproduction are beautiful.

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When I watched this, I was stunned by the beauty - so I wanted to share.

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Camouflage:  This can be in the form of protective coloration or protective resemblance.  

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Camouflage:  This can be in the form of protective coloration or protective resemblance.  

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camouflage - any coloring, shape or pattern that allows an organism to blend into its environment

protective coloration - camouflage using color

protective resemblance - camouflage using color, shape, and texture

How brilliant is the adaptation of these sawfly larva? What do you think they resemble? Is this adaptation behavioral or structural?

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Social cooperation allows larval insects to resemble animal excrement as they migrate.  P7205755.AVI

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Group of sawfly (Symphyta) larvae ooze slowly across a trail in Colombia's Yotoco Reserve occasionally pausing. At a distance the group appear to be a shiny dark deposit of carnivore excrement. This social cooperation appears to be a case of protective resemblance of an inedible item.

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Our book defines mimicry as an adaptation in which an animal resembles an unpleasant animal. For example, the harmless king snake looks very similar to the venomous coral snake. The bright colors announce "Get away for your own good," but there's really nothing to fear with the king.

This interactive slide includes protective coloration and protective resemblance in its definition of mimicry. As you watch, decide which adaptation is best illustrated by each organism.

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National Geographic stories take you on a journey that's always enlightening, often surprising, and unfailingly fascinating. This month-Will Yellowstone Blow Again?