animal adaptation and behaviour

• animal behaviour adaptations are strategies that animals have evolved to survive and thrive in their environment
• what is hibernation?

  a prolonged state of torpor that involves a significant drop in metabolic rate, body temperature, and awareness.
• what is estivation?

  a state of dormancy that involves a low metabolic process and rest in shady places during the summer
• estivation is a survival strategy for animals in deserts and tropical habitats
• what is torpor?

  a period of reduced activity, body temperature and metabolic rate.
• torpor is involuntary, animals in torpor responsive to stimuli and may forage for food
• what is brumination?

  a state of inactivity or sluggishness that reptiles experience during the winter, when temperatures are low for a long period of time
• many animals live in groups for reasons such as protection, cooperative hunting and efficient resource sharing
• what type of communication signals may animals use?

  • vocalisations,
  • body language
  • pheromones
• some animals perform elaborate dances and vocalisations to attract mates
• animals are often born, coinciding with periods of abundant food and favourable environmental conditions (spring)
• some animals provide extensive care for their young, including feeding, protection and teaching essential survival skills.
• what are some examples of defensive behaviours?

  • playing dead
  • mobbing
  • chemical defences
• physical adaptations are features that help animals survive in their environment
• some animals have evolved to resemble other, often dangerous, species to avoid predators and sneak up on prey
• physiological adaptations are internal processes that help animals survive and thrive in their environment
• adaptive behaviours help animals find secure essential resources, such as?


  • food
  • water
  • shelter
• behaviours like camouflage, mimicry and vigilance help animals evade predators and increase their chances of survival
• complex courtship rituals and social behaviours ensure successful reproduction and the continuation of the species
• adaptive behaviours allow animals to adjust to changing environmental conditions, such as?


  • variations in temperature
  • variations in precipitation
  • variations in food availability
• animals can modify their behaviours to cope with habitat loss or fragmentation