Animal Adaptations Project ​
Evolution and Natural Selection
Name: ___________________________ #_______
Date: __________________Per.__________
Project Overview
✓ Choose ​1 animal​ from the Sac Zoo Fact Sheets.
✓ Create a ​detailed​ graphic organizer using the example provided in Adaptations PowerPoint.
✓ The “WHAT”​: Identify ​6 adaptations​: structural and/or behavioral adaptations ​for your
animal in its habitat​.
▪ Specifically identify the adaptation​ to the environment. “The WHAT”. See Polar Bear
example.
▪ Label each adaptation​ as ​structural​ or ​behavioral
✓ The “WHY”​:​ Describe the way it helps the animal survive in its environment​. “The WHY” it’s
useful- how does it increase the likelihood of survival in their environment. Use the example
provided to guide you!
✓ Include ​Animal Facts​:
▪ Type of animal (mammal, reptile, amphibian, bird, etc)
▪ Size and weight at maturity
▪ Expected life span
▪ Any differences between the sexes- color, size, life span?
▪ Habitat- what type of environment do they live in? (desert, rainforest, ocean,
river, forest, tundra, etc )
▪ Where on the globe (country/region) are they found? If you wanted to see
one in the wild, where would you visit?
✓ Size​: 11x 17 (two 8 ½ x 11 taped together)
✓ Illustrate it!​: Drawing of the animal, the adaptation, the why it’s useful- see example.
Rubric
Animal: ______________________________________
Content
● 6 adaptations identified (1 pt. each)
● Explains “​the what​” for the animal: how it is a specific adaptation (1 pt. each)
● Correctly labeled as structural or behavioral adaptation (1 pt. each)
● Explains “​the why​” for each of 6: as adaptation to habitat (2 pts. each)
● Animal Facts included. ​(1 pt. each)
● Illustrations/images appropriate to animal adaptation (1 pt. each)
● Illustrations/images appropriate to how adaptation helps the animal. (1 pts. each)
/6
/6
/6
/ 12
/6
/6
/6
Creativity
● Creative use of color, illustrations, lay-out
/6
Neatness/ Spelling
● Legible writing; few if any spelling errors; carefully and neatly completed
/6
Timeliness
● Completed on time: +10 points Due DATE: ____________
/5
Total points:
/ 65
Rough Draft: “Great White Shark”