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Animal Defence Adaptations
Big Questions
Big Questions
How do physical and behavioural adaptations defend animals from predators?
How do physical and behavioural adaptations defend animals from predators?
What is the most effective defence mechanism for protecting an organism and why?
What is the most effective defence mechanism for protecting an organism and why?
What is an adaptation?
What is an adaptation?
An adaptation is a characteristic of a living thing that helps it survive Many different animals have adaptations that protect them from predators.
There are three main kinds of adaptations that animals may have which are behavioural, physiological or structural. Many animals have more than one kind of adaptation.
Once you have explored the links on this site and completed the learn tasks you will be using the information you have learnt to create one of the following:
a documentary vieo clip
a board game or quiz
solve a human problem
Design your own animal fo a specific environment.
Behavioural Adaptations
Behavioural Adaptations
Some of these adaptations are behavioural and allow the animal to act a certain way to avoid being seen or caught by a predator. e.g sloths move very slowly through trees making them hard to spot. Their long, hairy bodies have algae growing on them to blend in with the trees.
Strutural Adaptations
Strutural Adaptations
Other adaptations are structural which is a physical feature that enhances the survival of the animal. They can be features you can see or internal features e.g Armadillo are covered by “armored” plates and it can roll into a tight ball when it feels threatened.
Physiological Adaptations
Physiological Adaptations
Some organisms also have physiologial adaptations. These adaptations relate to how the animals metabolisim works and can enable them to perform some special functions. e.g The dart frog uses chemicals (poisons secreted from its skin) to deter attackers.
Motivation
Motivation
Learn
Learn
Learn Task 1: Frayer Model
Learn Task 1: Frayer Model
Choose one of the vocabulary terms from the Animal Defence Mechanisms article and complete this activity here.
Learn Task 2: Adaptation Data chart
Learn Task 2: Adaptation Data chart
Use the sources of information on this site to complete this data chart with examples of adaptations. Data Chart here
https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-a-defense-mechanism-373406?print.pdf
Read this text to find out about the different kinds of defense mechanisms animals can have
Watch this video to find out how some animals will do whatever it takes to survive.
Read this article to find out about some of the most unusual defence mechanisms in the animal kingdom.
Watch this video to find out about some crazy animal defence adaptations.
Camouflage: Organisms Disguise their appearance to survive in the wild.
Watch this video of the Top 10 animal defence adaptations
Explore this site to find out about the different ways animals use camouflage as a defence mechanism.
Explore this site to find out how some NZ marine animals protect themselves.
Explore this site to find out how Monarch butterflies protect themselves.
Learn Task 3: Animal Research Chart
Learn Task 3: Animal Research Chart
Complete this animal adaption data chart on your chosen animal. Data chart 2 here
Learn Task 4: Scientific Diagram
Learn Task 4: Scientific Diagram
Draw a scientific diagram of your chosen animal. Label the adaptations and show how they work. Starfish example here
Learn Task 5: Persuasive Paragraph
Learn Task 5: Persuasive Paragraph
Write a persuasive paragraph explaining what you think is the most effective defence mechanism in the animal kngdom. Give reasons and examples top support your thinking. Paragraph writing guide here.
Create
Create
Documentary
Documentary
Use the information you have gathered on your chosen animal to create a David Attenborough style documentary.
Biomimicry
Biomimicry
Use biomimicry to imitate an animal defense adaptation to solve a human problem. Task here
adaptations-game-bigboard.pdfGame Creation
Game Creation
Create a board game or quiz where you have to answer questions or use different animal defense adaptations to win. Example here
Adaptation Design
Adaptation Design
Choose a habitat then design an insect or a mammal to survive in that habitat. Include behavioural, physiological and structural defence mechanisms. Use diagrams and labels to explain your great ideas. Task here
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