Animals: Competition + Adaptations

• Animals compete for food, territories and mates
• A successful competitor is an animal that is best adapted in finding food, a mate and protect territory
• 2 types of competition: Interspecific and Intraspecific
• Interspecific competition occurs when two different species are competing for the same resource.
• Intraspecific competition occurs within one species where individuals compete against each other to survive.
• 3 types of adaptations: Structural, Functional, Behavioral
• Structural adaptation - physical features that allow organisms to perform certain functions or activities
• Functional adaptation - how organs work together to carry out specific functions
• Behavioral adaptation - actions taken by organisms to increase their chances of survival
• Examples of functional adaptations:

  • Circulatory system in humans
  • Digestion in mammals
  • Camels store fat in lumps
  • Production of venom
• Examples of behavioral adaptations:

  • Migration patterns in birds
  • Hibernation in bears
  • Camouflage in chameleons.
• Examples of structural adaptations:

  • Gills on a fish
  • Duck's webbed feet
  • Frog's strong legs