Animal Adaptations and Behaviors

Front

Trait or characteristic that helps an organism survive.

Back

adaptation

Front

The coloring, marking, or other physical appearance of an organism that helps it blend in with its surroundings.

Back

camouflage

Front

An adaptation in which a harmless animal looks like an animal that is poisonous or tastes bad, so that predators avoid it.

Back

mimicry

Front

The way an organism usually acts in a certain situation.

Back

behavior

Front

A behavior that an animal doesn't begin life with but develops as a result of experience or by observing other animals. Example: a lion cub learning to hunt from its parents.

Back

learned behavior

Front

An inherited (born with) behavior of an animal that helps it meet its needs. Example: a bird singing.

Back

Instinct

Front

An inherited (born with) behavior of an animal that helps it meet its needs. Example: a bird singing.

Back

Instinct

Front

To travel from one place to another and back again. Examples: grey whales, tundra swans, geese, monarch butterflies.

Back

migrate

Front

to go into a deep sleeplike state for winter. Examples: squirrels, bats, snakes

Back

hibernate

Front

May attack a predator's sense of sight, smell, taste, touch, or hearing. Example: skunk.

Back

Defense adaptations