Animals That Use Protective Adaptations

Structural Adaptations

• Structural adaptations are the gradual changes that occur to the physical makeup of animals. These include changes to hair, teeth, and even movement. Animals that could not move freely and quickly eventually died out and the species that survived were the ones able to protect themselves from predators and from the harsh conditions of their natural environments. For example, some animals have winter coats that grow fuller and keep them warm during the cold months while others have poison glands on their skin to ward off predators.

Behavioral Adaptations

• Behavioral adaptations are changes in animals that occur within their actions and instincts rather than physically. Examples of behavioral adaptions include shifts in socialization and instinctual self-defense. Some animals, such as rabbits and other small rodents, freeze or attempt to appear dead when they are spotted by predators as a means of protection. Other animals learn to hunt and live in packs to protect themselves; these animals alert one another when trouble is near and are stronger as a collective unit than they would be alone.

Migration and Hibernation

• Migrations is a protective adaptation as well. Animals learn to move to other regions during certain times of the year. Some animals move to warmer regions to protect themselves from the cold. Others move from particular areas to escape predators that are known to attack during some seasons of the year. Other forms of protective adaptation include hibernation. This is when animals store food and sleep during the winter to protect themselves from the dangers of the harsh climate.

Mimicry and Coloration

• Some animals have adapted to protect themselves from predators through mimicry. These animals can look, smell or sound like other animals, making them less appealing to predators. Also, some animals have adapted by shifts in their natural coloration. Examples of these species are rabbits, who have coats that change colors during the winter, making it harder for predators to spot them in the snow. Other animals, such as chameleons, can change color when near certain objects, also making it difficult to be preyed upon and at the same time making it easier for them to catch prey.