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| Adaptation in Animals |
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| Depending upon whether the animal lives on land, water or air, it possesses various structural and functional features which enable it to survive in it's respective habitat. |
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| Animals are classified as |
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 Terrestrial |
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 Aquatic and |
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 Aerial, according to their habitat. |
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| Deer(Quadruped) Kangaroo(Biped) |
| According to their habits and ways of living, terrestrial animals may be runners, burrowers, diggers, climbers and fliers. They accordingly exhibit different adaptive features. |
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| Foot - The following are the modifications in the foot of terrestrial animals |
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| The above category includes animals which are quadripeds. (Four footed locomotion) |
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| Bipeds - These show two footed mode of locomotion. E.g., Human beings |
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| Head - Some terrestrial animals show modification of the head especially if they are of burrowing and digging habit. Here the head is tapering and ends with a snout. |
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| Example: |
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| Snake, Shrew and mole. |
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| Lungs - Respiration is with the help of lungs. |
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| Example: |
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| lizard, bird, cat and man. |
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| Whales |
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| Several members of the animal kingdom belong to this group. They may be fresh water or marine forms. Sponges, molluscs and Echinoderms are invertebrates that are aquatic. |
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| Amongst the vertebrates, fishes, whales and dolphins exhibit a number of adaptive features for their life in the water |
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 Body is streamlined, i.e. compressed laterally to reduce friction as they swim in the water |
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 Fins are present in fish to help them to swim. Seals and whales have flippers |
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 Frogs and ducks have webbed feet to help them paddle in the water |
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 Some fish have a “swim bladder” which is filled with air to help maintain buoyancy |
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 Respiration is through gills. Oxygen dissolved in water is absorbed through the gills |
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| Crow |
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| Parrot |
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| Included in this group is a small number of animals that come to the trees for safety and shelter but live mainly on land. These are called arboreal animals. Flying squirrel, flying lizard, tree frogs, lemurs and monkeys belong to this group. True aerial animals are birds and bats. These animals are called Volant and they exhibit adaptations to adjust to their habitat. |
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 Wings - Forelimbs are modified into wings to help them to fly. Birds have wings that are covered with feathers. Bats have an extension of the skin. |
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 Bones - Bones are hollow to make them light. |
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 Flight muscles - Very strong flight muscles are attached from the body to the wings. |
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| Example: |
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| Pigeon and Crow |
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Terrestrial Animals