Awesome Animal Adaptations
N o r th Ja ck s o n E l e m e n t a ry S ch o o l
Imagine yourself riding on the
back of an elephant, during an African
safari. Think of all the animals you see.
There are lions, gazelles, giraffes, zebras, turtles, and anacondas! What is
one thing all of these animals have in
common, besides their home? Their adaptations! Every animal has them to
help them survive. Adaptations are actions or body parts that help them survive in 3 ways; to help them find or get
food, to protect themselves, and to find
or make shelter. Read on to find out
See! Perfectly gorgeous!
about some awesome animal adaptations!
Malena Hughes
1-23-14
Special points of interest:
 Check out the perfectly
pretty peacock on page 2!
 The extremely awesome
elephant will fascinate
you on page 3!
 I recommend scoping out
the beautiful blue butterfly on page 3!
Inside this issue:
Pe rfe ctly I nte re sting Poisonous
Dart F rogs!
They’re bright, dangerous, and beautiful. If you want to
find out how these creatures survive continue reading. First, their
bright color warns predators they’re poisonous. Which I think
makes them look gorgeous. Also, those sticky toes of theirs help
them climb trees. That fact really sticks to me! Additionally, one
lick of their poisonous skin can kill the predator. The fact a small
frog can kill a jaguar amazes me! Finally, now you sea why I think
poisonous dart frogs are so perfectly interesting.
Perfectly Interesting
Poisonous Dart Frogs
1
Super Scary Scorpions
2
Pink, Purple, and
Rainbow Parrotfish
2
Perfectly Pretty Peacocks
2
Beautiful Blue Butterflies
3
Extremely Awesome
Elephants
3
Giant Galapagos Tortoise
3
Page 2
Awesome Animal Adaptations
Super Scary Scorpions
When we were little we all had a similar nightmare. You were walking in the
dessert, stepped on a scorpion and it pinched you. Here’s why scorpions
have those scary claws. First, scorpions have a sharp hollow spine that allows them to look like a bunch of small rocks. This helps them hide to catch
their prey. Also, scorpions are armor plated. This allows them to protect
themselves from harm. These critters are strong! Another adaptation is
those famous poisonous claws. Their claws protect them and help them kill
their prey. Finally, I hope you don't have any more nightmares about those
scary claws.
This scorpion is
ready for action!
Pink, Purple, and Rainbow Parrotfish
You're walking down the beach and you wonder how the sand got
there. Well, the parrotfish helped with one of their adaptations! First, the
parrotfish has a beak like mouth. The “beak” helps them tear of coral. It also breaks down rocks into sand when they nibble on them. Next, their gorgeous color helps them hide from predators. They do so by hiding in bright
coral. This is also how the parrotfish got it’s name from the namesake bird.
Also, they have a mucus envelope that helps them break down their food.
Gross! Finally, you know how all those colors help the parrotfish, and how
the sand got under your feet!
Look at those colors!
Perfectly Pretty Peacocks
You marvel at their magnificent feathers. Now find out why
they have them! First, they have those beautiful eye spot feathers.
Those feathers distract and confuse predators. Plus I think they’re
beautiful! Also, they have beautiful coloring. That coloring allows
them to blend in with exotic jungle plants. Additionally, they have
a sharp beak that helps them eat insects. Yuck! Insects! Finally,
you see how perfectly pretty feathers help peacocks.
Look at those beautiful
feathers!
Page 3
Beautiful Blue Butterflies
Look! Did you see that? That flittering flash of blue, darting across
the jungle. What was that? It was a beautiful blue butterfly! Blue butterflies have some unique adaptations. The first is the females are brown
which allows them to hide when they lay their eggs. Even if it’s not as
pretty it still helps them. Also, blue butterflies have eye spots on the corners of their wings. This confuses predators and the predators will go after the spots but will fail. Another adaptation is their long antennae . This
helps them navigate their environment. Some antennae can be 2 inches
long! Finally, I hope you now know the blue butterflies adaptations.
See! Beautiful
eye spots!
Extrem ely Awesome Elephants
They’re big, grey, talented, and smart. They are the largest living land mammal. What is this animal? It’s an extremely awesome elephant! First, elephants live in herds. This helps them because they
can help each other. Also, elephants have long tusks that allow them
to defend themselves. This is also the main reason they are hunted.
Additionally, they have large ears that cool them off. They work like giant fans. Finally, I hope you see why adaptations make elephants
Those
Thoseperfectly
ears arepretty
huge!
extremely awesome.
feathers are amazing!
Giant Galapagos Tortoises
Did you know that a Galapagos tortoises were the largest
tortoise? Even though these giant creature are now extinct, I still
think they have some cool adaptations. First, is their famous shell.
Their shell acts like a shield. Tortoise shells are almost impenetrable. Additionally, the Galapagos tortoise has a long neck that helps
them reach out to get food. Also, they have toothless jaws. This is
perfect for eating leafy greens. Finally, I hope you see how amazing
these age old creatures are.
Huge shells sure do stand
out!
Sources
1)Animals of the World, Tom Jackson, copyright
2009
2) Illustrated Encyclopedia of Animals, Michael
Chinery, copyright 1984
Super Seven Groups
Animals are classified into seven different groups because of their physical characteristics. First, the mammals are born alive, drink milk, have hair,
and are warm blooded. Next, amphibians live in part water part land, lay
eggs and are cold blooded. Also, arachnids have 8 legs, 2 body parts, and an
exoskeleton. Next, birds have feathers, lay eggs, and are warm blooded. Also,
fish live in the water, have scales, and are cold blooded. Additionally, insects
have three body parts, 6 legs, and are cold blooded. Another animal group is
the reptiles. They have rough skin, cold blooded, and lay eggs. Now, I hope
you know about the super seven groups!