Adaptations: Organisms have unique and interesting characteristics. Elephants may hold a stick in their trunk to use as a back scratcher or as a weapon against another animal. In this Internet activity you will learn about adaptations of various organisms.

1. Describe the physiological adaptation the California King Snake has that allows it to eat rattlesnakes. http://www.oaklandzoo.org/atoz/askgsnke.html or try www.whozoo.org/Intro2000/vansibor/VanSib_CaliforniaKingsnake.htm

2.

• A. Describe the structural adaptation the lion has that helps to prevent it from being harmed when it is kicked by prey.
• B. Describe how the rough tongue of the lion is a structural adaptation.
• C. Describe how the mane of the lion is a structural adaptation. http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/factsheets/mammals/lion.html

3. Describe a behavioral adaptation of the sea otter. http://www.mnh.si.edu/arctic/html/sea_ottr.html or try http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/accounts/enhydra/e._lutris$narrative.html

4. Describe 3 structural adaptations of the koala bear that helps it to spend long periods of time sitting in trees. http://www.seaworld.org/AnimalBytes/koalaab.html

5. Describe structural, behavioral and physiological adaptations of camels allowing them to live successfully in desert conditions. http://www.lpzoo.com/tour/factsheets/mammals/bactrian_camel.html

6. Describe 3 structural adaptations penguins have to spending as much as 75% of their lives in the water. Explain a possible behavioral adaptation helping penguins to stay warm as they spend time on top of the ice. http://actopus.gma.org/surfing/antarctica/penguin.html

7.

• A. Describe a structural adaptation shared by the snowshoe hare, Arctic hare, ptarmigan and weasels. What is the specific name given to this characteristic?
• B. Describe a behavioral adaptation of the muskoxen that helps to protect their young.
• C. Describe a physiological adaptation of the some caterpillars, fish and houseflies allowing them to live in the polar regions the entire year.
  http://www.chathamma.com/iditarod/Teachers/PlantAnimalAdaptations.html

8.

• A. Describe a behavioral adaptation the ptarmigan displays to stay warm and to avoid being detected by predators.
• B. Describe structural, behavioral and physiological adaptations of plant life found in the Arctic and tundra ecosystems. http://www.blm.gov/education/00_resources/articles/alaskas_cold_desert/posterback.html