Environment is everything that surrounds us. It consists of living and non living thingsEnvironment included the following…water, soil, typical weather conditions, and other organisms living in the area.Over time, each type of organism develops special characteristics to survive in its environment.

Plants have developed different types of adaptations to their environment. EX: A cactus has a thick stem to hold in water this helps the cactus to live in dry climates. Other plants adapt to their environment by developing large leaves to hold more water or catch more sunlight.

When you look at the leaves on tree around your neighborhood, do they look all the same? Some are on stalks, other leaves come straight out from the stem. Some even have smoothed, curved, or sharp edges. These shapes and textures serve a purpose for the trees survival. It helps these plants adapt to their environment.

http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.htmlhttp://studyjams.scholastic.com/studyjams/jams/science/plants/plant-adaptations.htm

Animals also have special adaptations to help them survive in their environment.

For example, the color of an animal may blend with plants found in its environment.

This protective coloring is called camouflage and it makes it harder for its enemies to find it.

There are many other adaptive characteristics that animals use.

The Hoover Fly resembles the Honey Bee which keeps other animals from attacking it.

Why do birds have their own unique beak?

A bird’s beak helps it eat and is shaped according to the type of food it eats.

Birds that eat insects have long narrow beaks, so they can get into narrow cracks in rocks and trees to grab insects.

Birds that eat fruit from trees have sharp, wide beaks to tear into fruit. Bird Beaks

http://www.vtaide.com/png/bird-adaptations3.htm

Bird beak and clawhttp://www.vtaide.com/png/bird-adaptations3.htm

A giraffe’s long neck and keen eye sight helps it to see for many miles. It’s long neck also helps it to eat leaves too high for most other animals. Scientist believe a giraffe’s skin pattern helps it to blend in with tall trees.

Giraffe Eatinghttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpatQpIbKEE

Alligators store fat that can be used in winter.Alligators also have long tails, long snouts, and smooth skin.These adaptations help alligators to swim. Alligators have small legs, so they can walk on land. They are equally at home on land or in the water, which is perfect for the swamplands they inhabit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zhwx0hHoHPQ&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HnWNot9R0Ck

Animal Adaptations (Elephant and Penguin)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N56OrRvdH24&feature=related

Adaptation Songhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Boo1nSo73Gs&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRX2JtKFUzk&feature=related

NOTES

• Organisms develop special characteristics to help them survive in their environment.

• Plant leaves- Every type of tree has its own unique kind of leaf.

• Smaller leaves develop where there is bright sun and little rainfall.

• Animals- also have special adaptations to help them survive in their environment.

• Birds have different types of beaks based on the kind of food they eat.