Australian Adaptations
By Jesse Mesiti
Differences between the animals.Both animals, the Green Turtle and the Little Penguin have had both distinct and similar adaptations over the course of their time inhabiting our planet, they develop these different adaptations to suit the environment in which they live and to support them in their day to day life.
Different breeds of the same animal have even developed different adaptations suitable to the environment in which they live in, for example how an animal living in the desert would survive the hot environment by digging burrows. Every Animal has a unique adaptation that helps it survive and be unique in its own way. The main cause for both of the Animal Species being researched having different adaptations is the environment that they live in. The animals need to fulfil certain roles within their ecosystem to survive and as a result of this they must be different. Due to the Green Turtle spending almost its entire life in the ocean it seems appropriate that its limbs are not adapted in order to promote land voyaging, instead they have developed into strong paddle-like fins that allow it to propel itself in the water at great speeds. Just like they have a mouth with no teeth, the food that they consume requires a strong jaw instead of razor sharp teeth. On a different note the Little Penguins have a completely different set of adaptations exclusive to surviving and thriving in their own environment, penguins have developed a thick layer of feathers along their skin which allows them to withstand the severe, freezing temperatures of the Antarctic, however for Australian and other penguins living in warmer climates the thickness of these feathers aren't as apparent as in their Antarctic cousins, Another adaptation is the mouth of the Little Penguin have no teeth, because Penguins swallow their prey whole, these backward facing spines on the Penguins tongue help keep the prey in its mouth and guide it down the penguin’s throat. Some changes can threaten the chances of an animal's survival. In general terms the three main threats to survival are temperature, lack of water and lack of food. Outside of environmental threats, many animals also need to be able to defend themselves from predators in order to survive. Many animals have adapted over time, allowing them to better cope with the threats they face as a regular part of their lives. Some types of adaptation may change the physical characteristics of an animal; other adaptations may be a change in behaviour. Animals have different environments and thus have different adaptations. |
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