Renzo's Essay

Here's another great essay, this time by Renzo.

Animal Adaptations

A definition for adaptation is when an animal will change physically and behaviourally to be successful in their surroundings. Animals not only adapt for their survival, they also do it to attract mates. Around the world, there are many animals that have adapted through millions of generations. 

The polar bear is one of the most extraordinary animals that has adapted to live in in the harsh environment of the Arctic and Alaska. They grew long, rigid hair between the pads of their feet so they are protected from the cold. The hair also helps them to walk on the ice without slipping. The polar bear developed small round ears to stop so much water coming in freezing their ear drums. Their white fur is convenient when they are hunting as it obscures them from prey. Also when hunting they cover their black nose. They grew canine like teeth and claws to hunt for food. Their legs became stronger helping them to swim after prey. These legs are also used for jumping over giant fissures of water. They are known to have the ability to swim to up to the speeds of 10km per hour and have the stamina to continuously swim for 100km. Due to the cold weather they have a coat of blubber of 11cm thick. The polar bear has adapted to this since it would have to travel very long distances searching for food. 

Zebras adapted to avoid predators. They changed to have a striped pattern to cause confusion to predators like the lions. They have a strong sense of smell that when they smell a lion they scurry away frantically. They grew sharp teeth despite being herbivores, but that are used for a defensive action. The zebras’ legs, like the polar bears, became stronger to kick predators away. These legs were also used for running away from predators. Their legs were essential to travelling to new grazing areas. The zebras’ digestive system adapted to consume coarse grass it grazed on. Their herd instinct became strong to guard themselves and each other. The zebras’ unlike the other animals in the horse family herded with the giraffes. This gives them the advantage of more eyes looking out for predators.  

The crocodile is a reptile, and all reptiles they have the ability to absorb energy from the sun. In cold months they bask in the sun trying to warm up, and in hot months they lie in the water. Since crocodiles usually digest their food above water to avoid drowning they adapted to have a fleshy palatal valve to help prevent them from drowning. The reptiles lay their eggs in elaborate nests on land so that the eggs won’t flood with water. For the fear of the eggs drying out the crocodiles would lay eggs in the wet season. The females would look after their young for several months; this parental care is rare in reptiles. The crocodiles have to have a high tolerance for salinity, but they can also be found in freshwater rivers and swamps too. Though the crocs don't truly migrate, they do move between different habitats during the dry and wet season. In addition to this movement, they also change habitats depending on how old they are. The crocodiles are born and raised in freshwater areas. As juveniles, they are forced to more marginal and saline areas. 

Animals have adapted in many ways to their habitats and mating seasons. The animals would evolve throughout millions of years trying to suit their requirements. Adaptation is vital in animal life, without that they could die quite easily. Scientists and Biologists are observing the animals cautiously looking for any changes. Animals can change both physically and behaviourally which is absolutely fascinating.