Behavioral Structural

Adaptations Adaptations

An ostrich has long legs to Birds have feathers for Cougars have night vision Beavers have a natural
help it run. protection and flying. to help them catch prey. instinct to build a dam.

Monarch butterflies Ground squirrels

Some finches have heavy, Tigers learn to hunt from
migrate south for the hibernate during the
thick beaks to eat seeds. their mothers.
winter. winter.
Viceroy butterflies mimic
Birds sing to Opossums play dead Polar bears have hollow
monarchs, which taste
communicate. when threatened. hairs to trap heat.
bad to birds.
A cheetah’s fur allows it An octopus has ink to Cats have whiskers to A blue whale sprays water
to blend in with its defend itself from help them feel their from its blowhole to
surroundings. predators. environment. breathe.

Behavioral Structural
Adaptations Adaptations
A fire belly toad has
Birds have feathers for Cougars have night vision Beavers have a natural
bright colors to warn
protection and flying. to help them catch prey. instinct to build a dam.
predators of its poison.
Monarch butterflies Ground squirrels
Some finches have heavy, Tigers learn to hunt from
migrate south for the hibernate during the
thick beaks to eat seeds. their mothers.
winter. winter.
Viceroy butterflies mimic
Birds sing to Opossums play dead Polar bears have hollow
monarchs, which taste
communicate. when threatened. hairs to trap heat.
bad to birds.
A cheetah’s fur allows it An octopus has ink to Cats have whiskers to A blue whale sprays water
to blend in with its defend itself from help them feel their from its blowhole to
surroundings. predators. environment. breathe.
Answer Key for Animal Adaptation Sort:

Behavioral

 Monarch butterflies migrate south for the winter. - Migration

 Ground squirrels hibernate during the winter. - Hibernation
 Birds sing to communicate.
 Beavers have a natural instinct to build a dam. - Instinct
 Tigers learn to hunt from their mothers. – Learned behavior
 Opossums play dead when threatened.
 A blue whale sprays water from its blowhole to breathe.

Physical/Structural

 Cats have whiskers to help them feel their environment.

 A cheetah’s fur allows it to blend in with its surroundings. – Camouflage
 The viceroy butterfly mimics the monarch, which is tasty to birds. – Mimicry
 Birds have feathers for protection and flying.
 A fire belly toad has bright colors to warn predators of its poison. – Warning Colors
 Cougars have night vision to help them catch prey.
 Some finches have heavy, thick beaks to eat seeds.
 An octopus has ink to defend itself from predators. – Having ink is structural and a chemical
defense.