McGraw-Hill Science 2005

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Macmillan/McGraw-Hill Science Grade 4
Grade 4
e-Journal

Animal Survival

Step 1. Questions

All animals need food, water, and shelter. To meet these needs, most animals move from place to place. Some walk or run. Others hop, fly, slither, burrow, or swim.

Any trait that helps an animal survive is called an adaptation. Yaks and polar bears have thick hair to help them keep warm. Eagles and hawks have sharp claws to help them catch food. A toad's brown color helps it to blend into the background of its muddy home. Each of these traits is an adaptation.

Here are some questions about animal adaptations. Read them, and then research the answers.
  • What are some other examples of adaptations?
  • What special adaptations help animals live in the cold? In the water? At night?
  • How do animal adaptations compare?
  • What other questions do you have about animal adaptations?


Step 2. Research

Research answers for the questions you were asked in Step 1. Visit these Web sites. Take notes about them on this page, too!

Wonders of the Seas
Learn about sea animals at this site. Just click the sea animal links for information.
Take Notes:



Animals and Birds in the Arctic and Antarctic
How would you survive in very, very cold weather? Find out how penguins, polar bears, and other animals live in the Arctic or Antarctic. This site comes from the Scott Polar Research Institute.
Take Notes:



World Records of the Animal Kingdom
What’s the fastest animal on land? How did the giant squid get to be a giant? How big is the biggest spider? Discover the answers to these and other extreme questions at this great Web site. You’ll learn about some amazing animal adaptations along the way, too.
Take Notes:



Go to Step 3 or Save My Notes


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