There are a lot of animal adaptations in an environment that affect the way animals live. It also affects humans in some way. Animal adaptation is the change in behavior, physical shape, or survival method that changes the way he/she lives. Animal adaptation has a significant effect on the environment and every living organism.
Here in this article, we will tell you what is animal adaptation, what are the types of animal adaptation with examples, and how it affects the life of that animal and the environment.
What is Animal Adaptation?
Animals have a variety of adaptations that affects their behaviors, their physical shape, their mindset, the way they eat and drink the way they live, and also the way they protect themselves.
In general, the traits that have evolved over time to help an animal in surviving the environment are the traits of animal adaptation.
Evolution is part of the life of every living organism. We (humans) evolve regularly with various things like medicines, armor, building, etc. We change the way we live. This is evolution and in the case of animals, the process of evolution is known as animal adaptation.
Now, the adaptation could be of any type. Like behavioral adaptation, physical adaption, etc.
Types of Animal Adaptations:
Here in this article, we will talk about the 5 most important adaptations in animals. Usually, there are many adaptations that are in use by animals for various reasons and purposes but below are the most common adaptations that took place in the lives of many animals.
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Physical Adaptation:
Physical is one of the most common and used adaptations in animals. Physical adaptation means that change in the physical part of the body. In this kind of adaptation, animals change their physical appearances according to the environment in which they live. They usually do this to survive in that environment.
To clear the concept, let me explain the term with an easy example. For instance, Giraffe has a long neck which is evolved to eat leaves from tall trees. Giraffe’s neck is evolved into a long neck which is a good example of animals’ physical adaptation.
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Behavioral Adaptation:
Behavioral adaptation is the second most important adaptation that many animals used in their life. It is the change in the behaviors of an animal. This can include the migration pattern or migration method, mating behaviors, social structures, etc.
For instance, many birds change their migration pattern during the winter season for survival. Hibernation is another example of behavioral adaptation which will allow bears, squirrels, etc to survive and reproduce. Animals with behavioral adaptations are bears, squirrels, birds, giraffes, geckos, etc.
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Physiological adaptation:
Physiological adaptation is one of the animal adaptations that take place inside the body of a living organism. Animals adopt some traits that change their internal structure. These internal processes change the way their body organ works.
For example, an ability in some animals store fat that can provide energy to the body when there is no food to eat. The development of a thick coat of fur for regulating the body temperature in winter is another example of physiological adaptation.
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Sensory Adaptation:
Sensory adaptation is one of the animal adaptations that evolves the sense of hearing, seeing, and touching, smelling which will help them to find food. These senses can also help them to find predators and prey.
For example, Electric eels can generate electricity to kill their predators and detect their prey.
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Defensive Adaptation:
The last but not least type of animal adaptation is defensive adaptation. Defense is one of the most important parts of the life of any living organism. Defensive adaptations are different traits that help animals in their defense and armor.
For example, armor, spikes or thorns, warning coloration, mimicry, defense in numbers, camouflage, and toxins are some elements that different animals use for their defense.
Conclusion:
In short, animal adaptations are traits that help animals to survive and successfully reproduce in the environment. These traits could be of different types and forms. The natural selection process can increase the life span and the chance of survival and reproduction in many animals.
