Concept 3 of 9Foundation

Adaptation — built to fit

Adaptations are features that help an organism survive in its habitat. They develop over thousands of generations.

Examples:

Camel: hump stores fat, long eyelashes keep sand out, wide feet don't sink in sand, can go days without water.
Cactus: spines instead of leaves (less water loss), thick stem stores water, waxy skin.
Polar bear: thick white fur (warmth + camouflage), layer of fat blubber, big paws for snow, sharp claws for fish.
Fish: streamlined shape, gills for underwater breathing, fins for swimming, scales for protection.

Example

A duck's webbed feet help it paddle water. A frog's tongue is sticky and fast to catch flies. An owl has silent feathers so prey don't hear it.

💡 Tip:Similar habitats often produce similar adaptations in unrelated species (convergent evolution).