ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NATURE CURRICULUM GUIDE
Science 3
Animal Adaptations
3.4
3.5
Investigate and understand that behavioral and physical adaptations
allow animals to respond to life needs. Key concepts include
a) methods of gathering and storing food, finding shelter, defending
themselves, and rearing young
b) hibernation, migration, camouflage, mimicry, instinct, and learned
behavior.
Investigate and understand that environments support a diversity of
plants and animals that share limited resources. Key concepts
include
b) dry-land environments (desert, grassland, rain forest, and forest
environments)
C/T K-2.1
C/T 3-5.1
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the nature and
operation of technology systems.
C/T K-2.2
The student will demonstrate proficiency in the use of
technology.
C/T K-2.5
C/T 3-5.6
The student will use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect
information from a variety of sources.
EQUIPMENT NEEDED:
one computer per student, headphones
program CDs
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS NEEDED: worksheets
PREPARATION: Copy worksheets. The activity will teach students about the
concepts covered, but it is more effective if they have been introduced to these
concepts before starting the program.
DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY:
Students will describe the way desert animals have adapted to their environment,
methods of camouflage, and their means of defense from predators.
GENERAL PROGRAM INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Insert the CD-ROM Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Nature.
2. Follow the on-screen directions to start the program.
3. In the Science Room, move the cursor to HABITATS and select Desert.
4. Click
and listen to the information about the North American Desert.
5. Use the red arrow keys to move around the habitat.
6. To learn more about a plant or animal click on it. Have the students fill in
their activity sheet as each animal is researched.
7. Click
to hear the sound the animal makes.
8. Click
to see a movie about the animal.
9. After reviewing the information on an animal, click on the desert to return
to the main desert picture.
10. To exit the program, click on the X in the top right corner.
Adaptations for Special Needs Students
• Students with reading difficulties may benefit from being paired with a
more advanced reader or through the use of software that will read the
text aloud.
• Select the worksheet appropriate for the students. The matching
worksheet may be more challenging because the students have to read
the information very carefully. i.e. Distinguishing between: L. Has brown
diamonds on its back and M. Black and brown patterns on its skin match
the ground
• Advanced students may be asked to research a specific animal using
Internet sources and write about the animal and how it developed its
adaptations.
Alternate Activities
Show the Discovery Education video Animal Adaptations: What Are They? using
an LCD projector to entire class. Have students complete the worksheets
individually or have students answer questions as a class. There are also quiz
games that may be used in conjunction with this video. See the Teacher’s Guide
for more information.
Name:_______________________________
Date: ________________
ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS, DEFENSES AND CAMOUFLAGE
1. From the Habitats list, click DESERT.
2. Click
. Listen to the information about the North American Desert.
3. Click on each animal to learn more about it. Click
animal makes. Click
to hear the sound the
to see a movie about the animal.
4. Click on the desert to go back.
5. Complete the activity on the back of this paper.
What is adaptation?
Adaptation is any characteristic of an animal
that helps it to survive in its habitat. Adaptation can affect size, shape,
color, and how the animal acts. For example, camels live in the desert
where it is hard to find water. They have humps on their backs that store
water. There are two specific types of adaptations called camouflage and
defense.
The tiger’s stripes are
camouflage and make the tiger
hard to see in the grass.
The hump is an adaptation for
living in the desert because it
stores water.
The turtle’s hard shell protects
it from predators. This is the
turtle’s defense.
ADAPTATIONS, DEFENSES, AND CAMOUFLAGE
Write the letter for the statement that best describes how each animal
adapts to its habitat, defends itself, or hides from danger. Some
letters may be used for more than one animal.
Desert Kangaroo Rat:
Adaptation: _________
Defense: ____________
Western Diamondback
Rattlesnake
Defense: ____________
Camouflage: _________
Collared Lizard
Defense: _____________
Desert Tortoise
Adaptation: __________
Gila Monster
Adaptation: __________
Defenses: ____________
Camouflage: _________
Whip Scorpion:
Adaptation: ___________
Defense: ______________
Black-tailed Jackrabbit:
Adaptation: ___________
Defense: ______________
Camouflage: __________
Western Spadefoot Toad:
Adaptation: __________
Camouflage: __________
SURVIVAL ADAPTATIONS
A. Stores fat in its tail to use
during hibernation.
B. Long ears give off heat
C. Lives underground during
hot, dry weather.
D. Never drinks water
E. Has flat front legs to use for
digging.
F. Uses long front legs to feel
for food.
DEFENSES
G. Squirts toxic spray
H. Uses powerful hind legs to
run from danger.
I. Can run on 2 legs
J. Shakes its rattle
K. Is poisonous
CAMOUFLAGE
L. Has brown diamonds on its
back.
M. Black and brown patterns
on its skin match the ground
N. Tan coat is same color as
the sandy ground
ADAPTATIONS, DEFENSES, AND CAMOUFLAGE
Answer Key
Desert Kangaroo Rat:
Adaptation:
D
Defense:
H
Western Diamondback
Rattlesnake
Defense:
J
Camouflage:
L
Collared Lizard
Defense:
I
Desert Tortoise
Adaptation:
E
Gila Monster
Adaptation:
Defenses:
Camouflage:
A
K
M
Whip Scorpion:
Adaptation:
Defense:
SURVIVAL ADAPTATIONS
A. Stores fat in its tail to use
during hibernation.
B. Long ears give off heat
C. Lives underground during
hot, dry weather.
D. Never drinks water
E. Has flat front legs to use for
digging.
F. Uses long front legs to feel
for food.
F
G
Black-tailed Jackrabbit:
Adaptation:
B
Defense:
H
Camouflage:
N
Western Spadefoot Toad:
Adaptation:
C
Camouflage:
M
DEFENSES
G. Squirts toxic spray
H. Uses powerful hind legs to
run from danger.
I. Can run on 2 legs
J. Shakes its rattle
K. Is poisonous
CAMOUFLAGE
L. Has brown diamonds on its
back.
M. Black and brown patterns
on its skin match the ground
N. Tan coat is same color as
the sandy ground
Name: __________________________
Date: ________
Animal Adaptations—Desert
Which animal has these adaptations? Remember, some animals may have
developed several adaptations in order to survive.
Camouflage
1. These animals have brown and black patterns on their skin that blend in with
the desert environment.
___________________ ___________________ ______________________
2. This animal has a tan coat that is the same color as the desert sand.
_______________________________________
Defenses
3. These animals have toxins (poisons) as part of their defense.
________________
_______________________ ______________________
4. These animals can run very fast, sometimes on two legs, to escape from
predators. _______________________ and ____________________________
5. This animal warns predators that it is poisonous by shaking its rattle.
________________________________________
Survival Adaptations
6. This animal has long ears that give off heat to help it stay cool.
______________________________
7. This animal stores fat in its tail to use during hibernation.
______________________________
8. This animal has long front legs it uses to search for food.
______________________________
9. This animal has flat front legs to use for digging. _______________________
10. This animal lives underground to stay cool during hot weather.
______________________________
11. This animal never drinks water. ______________________________
western spadefoot toad
collared lizard
Gila monster
whip scorpion
black-tailed jackrabbit
desert tortoise
western diamondback rattlesnake
desert kangaroo rat