Animal Adaptations

Beaks to pry open food, spots to blend in with their habitat, and feathers that shed water are some examples of animal adaptations. We have compiled this sample of instructional resources on animal adaptations that can be found on LEARN NC.

Endangered red wolf (Image source. More about the photograph)

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Related pages

• Animal environments: Day one: Students will group animals using common characteristics. Students will develop an understanding of animal adaptations. This lesson was designed to be used with the lesson "Diamante Poetry Using Environments: Day two."
• Animal slide shows!: This project is a culmination of a science unit on animals which integrates computer skills, language arts and art. After a study of animals which includes classification, basic needs of animals, animal adaptations, and animal behaviors, the students will use the computer to complete a slide show of one animal they have studied at length.
• Embryology: Hatching baby chicks: This lesson integrates science, math, communication skills, arts, and social studies through hands-on activities. Students are directly involved in hatching baby chicks.

Related topics

• Learn more about Interdependence, adaptations, animals, habitats, and science.

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Have your students ever wondered why a lizard changes color or why a deer can be seen one minute and when it goes into the woods it cannot be seen anymore? Over generations, animals have adapted to their habitats to protect them from predators, help them survive harsh weather conditions, and attract mates. This resource guide will help you teach your students how animals have adapted to live in their environments.

Lesson Plans

Polar Bears and their Adaptations

In this introductory activity, students will be introduced to the concept of adaptation by exploring how a polar bear’s body adapts to survive in the harsh environment in which it lives. (Grade 4, English Language Arts and Science)

Animal Adaptation

This lesson focuses on the adaptations, body structures, and behavior of animals. The students will explore animal growth and adaptations of animals. This lesson is designed to be taught during the reading of Stone Fox. (Grade 4 English Language Arts, English Language Development, and Science)

Animal Environments – Day 2

Students will group animals using common characteristics. And will develop an understanding of animal adaptations.

Best Practices

Alternatives to the Animal Report

Year after year, students are assigned an animal report, a factual report on a species of their choice. This set of articles will get you thinking creatively about student research and teaching about animals.

Websites

North Carolina Wildlife and Species Conservation

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission provides information about the wild turkey, freshwater mussel, Tundra Swan, Black Bear and other NC natives.

Red Wolves of Alligator River

Wolves are wild again in North Carolina! Join the North Carolina Zoo on an interactive project to preserve and study the Red Wolf in North Carolina.

Animal Adaptations

This site walks students in grades 3-6 through a research process from coming up with an animal to investigate in their local area to an observation sheet on which to record their findings to suggestions and a worksheet on reporting their research.

Nature Works

Learn about animal adaptations, habitats and interdependence or go straight to the facts about North American animals and birds.