In this topic you will learn about how certain characteristics allow living things to survive in their environment.

Tools work in different ways. Some tools are good for picking up small things. Other tools are better for picking up large things. Parts of organisms also work like tools. A bird uses its beak as a tool for eating. Beaks of different shapes are suited to different kinds of food. The honeycreeper is a kind of bird. Different types of honeycreepers have beaks of different shapes. Each beak shape is an adaptation. An adaptation is a special characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment.

There are many types of adaptations. Most organisms have a variety of adaptations. The wool of a lamb is an adaptation. It keeps the lamb warm. A warm coat helps the lamb survive cold winter days. A giraffe's long neck is an adaptation, too. It helps the giraffe find food in high places. Finding food that others can't reach increases the giraffe's chances of survival. The bright coloring of a flower is an adaptation. It attracts insects that help the flower reproduce. Reproduction makes sure that this type of plant survives.

Adaptations help organisms survive in different ways. Some of the most important adaptations are for protection. Organisms need protection from the weather and from their predators. The shell of a turtle is an example of an adaptation that protects a living thing. When a turtle needs protection, it curls up inside its shell. A rabbit may use its speed for protection. If a predator comes too close, the rabbit can run to safety. Rabbits also use camouflage for protection. Camouflage is an adaptation that allows animals to blend into their surroundings. White rabbits blend in with the snow. Brown rabbits match their forest habitat. Organisms in different environments have different adaptations.