THE AFFECTS ON PLANTS, ANIMALS, AND THEIR

SURROUNDINGSB Y : M E L I S S A S O U T H E R N

Weather and Seasonal Changes

Science 2.7: The student will investigate and understand that weather and seasonal changes affect plants, animals, and their surroundings. Key concepts include

a.) effects on growth and behavior of living things (migration, hibernation, camouflage, adaptation, dormancy)

The weather and seasonal patterns affect plants and animals and their surroundings because:

As seasons change, plants and animals react to changes in:

Temperature

The amount of light

Type of precipitation

These changes made in response to the environment are called adaptations.

What is Adaptation?

A change an animal goes through to fit into its environment

Examples of Adaptations Whiskers

Sharp teeth

Webbed feet

Sharp claws

Hooves

Large beaks

Wings

Whiskers Sharp Teeth

Examples of Adaptations

Helps an animal feel around Helps an animal eat meat

Webbed Feet

Sharp Claws

Hooves

Large Beaks Wings

• Primary function in most winged animals is flight, which is used to hunt prey

•Some winged animals use wings to swim, not fly

• Primary function is to help the animal eat

•Large Beaks can be found on Carnivores and Herbivores

MIGRATION

HIBERNATION

DORMANCY

CAMOUFLAGE

Behavioral Responses to Environmental Changes

Migration

when animals move from one place to another as a result of temperature changes

Animals migrate for different reasons:

to find a better climate

to find better food

to find a safe place to live

to find a safe place to raise their young

Examples of animals who migrate Salmon

Humpback whales

Canadian geese

Monarch butterflies

HibernationThe inactive periods of animals in the cold temperatures of winter

A period of inactivity

Examples of animals who hibernate

bats

groundhogs

box turtles

squirrels

Bears

------------------------------------------

Examples of things that can be dormant

Bears

Hummingbirds

Trees

Flowers

Plants

Dormancy

Camouflage

when something changes its color or pattern to help it blend in with the environment

Camouflage is an outward coloration that allows animals to appear similar to the plants and places in which they live

Examples of animals that are or can camouflage:

Arctic Fox

Polar Bear

Frogs