Observations and Adaptations in Nature

Students observe a gerbil in a cage. They write their observations as shown: - It twitches its whiskers. - It burrows in the bedding. - It drinks water from a metal tube. - It walks on four legs. Which of these observations is most likely a learned behavior?

• Walking on four legs

• Twitching its whiskers

• Burrowing in the bedding

• Drinking water from a metal tube

Loggerhead sea turtles are large turtles that live in the ocean and nest on the Florida coast. The female loggerhead sea turtle lays more than 100 eggs in the beach sand. How is laying so many eggs an important adaptation that helps these turtles to survive?

• Large nests of eggs help keep the eggs warm enough to allow more turtles to hatch.

• If many turtles hatch, they can help defend each other against predators in large numbers.

• The more eggs that are laid, the greater the chance that more turtles will live to become adults.

• A large number of eggs in one place makes it possible for the mother to lie on the eggs until they hatch.

The diagram below shows a food chain. Which conclusion can be made from this food chain?

• The snake creates all of its own energy.

• The minnow does not get any energy from the algae.

• The energy from the snake is transferred to the eagle.

• The energy from the minnow is transferred to the grass.

Sarai and Stephen were learning about the characteristics of animals that are affected by their environments. Which of the following characteristics is most likely affected by a changing environment?

• Cheetahs have a flexible spine that allows them to run faster.

• An arctic hare's fur changes to a white color during the winter.

• Giraffes have very long necks for reaching high leaves and branches.

• Polar bears have a fat layer to insulate them from freezing air and cold water.

What are the three categories of consumers?

• Carnivores, Omnivores, Herbivores

• Predators, Prey, Decomposers

• Producers, Consumers, Decomposers

• Primary, Secondary, Tertiary

What is an example of an inherited behavior in rats?

• Running through a maze

• Building a nest

• Solving a puzzle

• Recognizing danger

How do rats learn to find food in a maze?

• Through trial and error

• By instinct

• By watching other rats

• By smelling the food

A lake food chain is shown below.

Which of the following describes the transfer of energy from a producer to a consumer?

• from Green algae to Brine shrimp

• from the Sun to Green algae

• from Brine shrimp to Perch

• from Perch to Kingfisher

During the dry months in Florida, the American Alligator will use a pond with very little water in it and make it deeper by creating a hole with its tail. What causes the alligator to behave in this way?

• a decrease in water due to environmental conditions

• an increase in water due to environmental conditions

• a decrease in temperature

• an increase in temperature

The diets of several Prairie animals are described in the table below. Which of the following food chains is in the correct order?

• sparrows → seeds → insects

• eagles → prairie dogs → coyotes

• grasses → prairie dogs → badgers

• wildflower → badgers → grasshoppers