Name _______________________
Animal Adaptations Test
3-2.2 Explain how physical and behavioral adaptations allow organisms to survive (including hibernation, defense, locomotion, movement,
food obtainment, and camouflage for animals and seed dispersal, color, and response to light for plants).
1. Opossums and coral snakes both live in South Carolina. When an opossum is threatened, it plays dead. A
coral snake curls its tail into a tight spiral and holds it up when an enemy is near. This attracts the enemy to its tail
and protects its head. Although these animals are very different, what is one way in which they are similar?
A. They spend a lot of time in water.
C. They use their bodies to attack predators.
B. They have ways to protect themselves.
D. They both have fur.
2. When cold air comes in the fall, birds such as robins ______________________.
F. store food
G. build nests
H. migrate
I. hibernate
3. Which of the following beaks allows birds to drink nectar from deep within flowers such as this one?
A.
B.
C.
D.
4. An arctic fox’s coat changes color to blend into its surroundings. This is an example of __________________.
F. hibernation
G. camouflage
H. locomotion
I. mimicry
5. Which best describes how a porcupine defends itself from predators?
A. It changes color.
C. It moves very quickly.
B. It has sharp quills.
D. It makes a very loud noise.
6. When an animal sleeps during the winter months, this is called _______________________.
F. hibernation
G. camouflage
H. locomotion
I. mimicry
C. to migrate
D. to hibernate
7. Why would an arctic fox or polar bear have sharp claws?
A. to clean their teeth
B. to walk over ice and snow
Name _______________________
8. Why do animals like monkeys have long arms and tails?
F. to help them hug each other better
G. to wrap around their bodies to keep warm
H. to swing quickly from one branch of a tree to another
I. to high five one another from far away
9. This praying mantis looks very much like a blade of grass. What is it called when animals look like other
animals or plants?
A.
B.
C.
D.
camouflage
defense
locomotion
mimicry
10. Ducks have webbed feet to help them swim. This is an example of _________________________.
F. camouflage
G. tropism
H. adaptation
I. hibernation
11. Animals sometimes have to leave an area for a while due to lack of food or climate change. What adaptation
is this an example of?
A. locomotion
B. defense
C. camouflage
D. movement
12. Which of the following would best help a panda bear get bamboo to eat?
F. eyes
G. fur
C. feet
D. sharp claws
Name _______________________
Animal Adaptation Test
Open Ended Questions
13. Why do some animals play dead or mimic themselves to look like something else?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
14. Animals such as elephants and walruses have tusks. How does this physical adaptation help them survive?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
15. How does an animal prepare for hibernation?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Animal Adaptation Test
Open Ended Questions
Name __________________
13. Why do some animals play dead or mimic themselves to look like something else?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
14. Animals such as elephants and walruses have tusks. How does this physical adaptation help them survive?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
15. How does an animal prepare for hibernation?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________