JAN- FEBRUARY 2012
PART 1
PART 1
Circle the best answer.
1. The list below states examples of adaptations for
escaping from predators except:
A. living in groups
C. hiding
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B. having flippers
D. using camouflage
2. Study the picture below.
3. The statements below explain the adaptations of the
Viceroy butterfly for escaping from predators. Which
of the following statements are true?
I.
II.
III.
IV.
The Viceroy butterfly is foul tasting.
The Viceroy butterfly is poisonous.
The Viceroy butterfly uses mimicry to avoid being
eaten by predators.
The Viceroy butterfly mimics the Monarch butterfly
which is toxic.
A. I and II only.
C. II and III only.
Which of the following adaptation does the puffer fish
use to escape from predators?
A. Hiding.
C. Appearing bigger
and fiercer when
threatened.
B. Living in groups.
D. Taking on the
appearance of other
animals.
B. III and IV only
D. All of the above
4. The list below states animals which live in groups to
escape from predators except:
A. elephants
C. tortoises
B. zebras
D. water buffaloes
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PART 2
Answer the questions in the spaces provided.
5. Adaptations are characteristics which help an animal
survive its environment.
a. List four purposes of adaptations.
1. ____________________________________________________________
2. ____________________________________________________________
3. ____________________________________________________________
4. ____________________________________________________________
Some animals have structural adaptations to defend themselves
against predators.
b. The picture above is of a porcupine. Explain in detail
how a porcupine defends itself against predators.
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________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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c. Some animals have structural adaptations that allow
them to move quickly away from their predators. Name
two organisms which have this adaptation.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
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Answer Scheme
1. C. having flippers
SMART TIPS:
Having flippers are adaptations some animals have for
moving in water. Seals and turtles have flippers to
help them move easily in water when they search for
food. Grazing animals often feed in herds. When a
predator attacks, the animals scatter and run in
different directions which confuses the predator and
allows the animals to escape. Some animals never
venture too far from their home in underground dens
or thick vegetation and can quickly hide when danger
approaches. Many animals have keen senses of sight,
smell, and hearing so that they can detect danger and
escape. Some animals have horns or antlers to fight off
predators. Some animals are active only at night when
it is harder for predators to find them. Many animals
rely on camouflage or the ability to blend in with their
surroundings to hide from predators. A few animals
are even poisonous or unpleasant-tasting, and
predators soon learn to leave such animals alone.
These poisonous kinds of animals are often brightly
colored, as well, which acts as a warning to predators.
2. C. Appearing bigger and fiercer when threatened.
SMART TIPS:
The puffer fish (also known as the blowfish and the
toadfish) is a medium-sized species of fish that
inhabits warmer, coastal waters around the world.
The puffer fish has the remarkable ability to expand
its body extremely quickly when faced with danger,
unavailing its long poisonous spikes that cover its
body.
3. B. III and IV
SMART TIPS:
Some butterflies are poisonous. When a predator, like a
bird, eats one of these butterflies, it becomes sick and
vomits violently. It quickly learns not to eat this type of
butterflies. The sacrifice of one butterfly will save the lives
of many of its kind and other species that look like it.
Being tasty is not a good thing for a butterfly and because
of this, many species use mimicry. This is a handy defense
for butterflies who are tasty and brightly coloured. Their
color patterns have evolved to appear like some of their
foul-tasting relatives. A good example is the brightly
coloured Viceroy whose orange and black pattern is
extremely similar to the toxic Monarch. Any predator that
survived a Monarch the first time would never again eat
something orange and black.
4. C. tortoises
SMART TIPS:
Zebras are common zebrid animals with black and white
strips to confuse the predators. The water buffaloes are
said to have originated in Asia and have been
domesticated worldwide. The wild Asian Buffalo is said to
be an endangered animal. These are herbivores and spend
most of their time submerged in water. There are large
herds of water buffaloes found in Africa. African elephants
have excellent memory and intelligence. They are
characterized by their large heads and two large ears that
cover their shoulders to radiate heat.
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5. a. Adaptations is needed for:
1. obtaining food.
2. escaping from predators.
3. reproduction.
4. coping with the physical factors of the
environment.
b. Porcupines defend themselves from predators in a
variety of ways. Even without trying, a porcupine
warns its enemies that it is a dangerous animal
through its coloration. The white-tipped quills on a
black band on the tail and back stand out, and
warn possible predators of danger. If their
coloration pattern does not deter predators,
porcupines often avoid danger by climbing a tree
to escape. They can also clatter their teeth, which
is another way that they warn predators. If these
warnings fail, a porcupine will erect its quills, and
release a nasty scent. Quills are only used for
defense if the threat has not been deterred by
these other means.
c. Antelopes, squids, rabbits, gazelles and deer.
( Accept any suitable answers. )
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