Topic 8c: Adaptations

The cactus is a member of the plant family.  It looks different from the regular plants you find in your backyard here in Florida.  The large thick stem of the cactus stores water for the plant to use as needed.  The cactus also has thorns that cover the stem. What adaptation prevents animals from eating the cactus?

• It has flowers for the insects and birds to feed.

   

   

   

• It has thin bark to protect the plant from predators

• It has a waxy leave to store moisture.

• It has sharp thorns to protect the plant from predators.

Look at the pictures below. One picture shows a rainforest environment, and the other shows a desert environment. Many rainforest plants have large, flat leaves. Many desert plants have small needle-like leaves. What is the best reason for this difference?

• The plants are different ages.

• The plants in the desert do not reproduce.

• The plants are adapted to the conditions of their environment.

• The plants carry out photosynthesis in different ways.

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What is the best explanation for a decrease in a population of wolves in an area?

• The amount of competition decreases.

• The amount of space increases.

• The amount of food increases.

• The amount of food decreases.

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Which sentence describes what it means to be extinct.

• The Tasmanian tiger was able to change to survive in a new environment.

• The Tasmanian tiger had many useful adaptations to helped it to live.

• The Tasmanian tiger could not survive and will not be seen anymore.

• The Tasmanian tiger has had many of its habitats destroyed.

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The South Florida Coral snake is a very venomous snake. Its body is colored block striped patterned: red, yellow, and black. People often say, “if red touches yellow it is bad for a fellow.” However, the Scarlet King Snake is very similar to the Florida Coral Snake but is it not a venomous snake. The Scarlet King Snake’s body also has a block striped color patterned body: red, black, and yellow. What is most likely the adaptation that protects the Scarlet King Snake from most of its predators?

• The Scarlet King Snake mimics the color pattern of a very venomous snake, this adaptation helps it survive.

• The South Florida Coral snake lives up to its name.

• The South Florida Coral snake's venomous bite protects it from its predators.

• The Scarlet Kings Snake's venomous bite protects it from its predators.

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Jenny is identifying insects and finds a Sulphur butterfly, a Florida native butterfly. A Sulphur butterfly looks like the leaves of the tree and can easily blend in with its surroundings. Which of the following is a result of this ability?

• The Sulphur butterfly uses less energy.

• The Sulphur butterfly needs less food.

• The Sulphur butterfly has a greater chance of survival.

• The Sulphur butterfly has fewer offspring to care for.

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This plant, known as a Florida Buttonbush, prefers a high amount of rain to grow well. In which month would the Florida Buttonbush most likely show the most growth?

• October

• July

• November

• Febraury

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Hurricane Andrew caused many animals in the Miami Zoo to become displaced. Two of the animals that lost their homes were the collared lemming which has thick white fur and sharp claws, and the other was a marsh rabbit that has thin brown fur and is a strong swimmer.

If both were thought to have found shelter in a Florida forest, which answer best describes the animal that would have a better chance of survival?

• the marsh rabbit, because its ability to swim helps it to scare away predators.

   

• the collared lemming, because its sharp claws help it burrow into the ground to hide.

• the collared lemming, because its thick, white fur helps it stay warm during the winter months.

• the marsh rabbit, because its thin, brown fur helps it blend into its environment.

What function do the webbed feet of a duck and the hooves of a horse have in common?

• They both help the animals blend in with their environment.

   

• They both help the animals to move in their environment.

• They both help the animals burrow for shelter.

• They both help to keep the animals warm.

A scientist is studying snakes in the tropical rainforest. She surveys a 1 square mile area. She collects the following data:

Based on the evidence provided, what is the most likely explanation for the red snake population size?

• The red snakes are not well hidden, so they are eaten by predators often.

• The green snakes and the red snakes are in competition for the same food.

• The black snakes prey upon the red snakes during certain times of the year.

• The red snakes have been killed off by the poisons they produce.

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