In the process of evolution, animals have developed various physiological and behavioral mechanisms that allow them to better adapt to the environment. What adaptive features of the structure, color and behavior of animals exist? What do they depend on?
Adaptive behavior of animals
Behavior refers to actions aimed at interacting with the outside world. It is characteristic of all animal beings and is one of the main tools of adaptation. The principles of animal behavior can change under the influence of external and internal factors.
All environmental factors are important for the existence of organisms - climate, soil, light, etc. Changes in at least one of them can affect the way they live. The adaptive features of animal behavior help them adapt to new conditions, which means they increase the chances of survival.
Even elementary life forms are capable of responding to environmental stimuli. The simplest, for example, can move to reduce the negative impact of someor a factor. In highly organized organisms, behavior is more complex.
They are able not only to perceive information, but also to memorize and process it in order to use it later for self-preservation. These mechanisms are controlled by the nervous system. Some actions are inherent in animals from the very beginning, for example, instincts, unconditioned reflexes, others are acquired in the process of learning and adaptation.
Reproductive behavior
Reproduction of offspring is inherent in the nature of every living organism. Adaptive behavior is manifested during sexual reproduction, when animals need to find a partner, form a pair with him. With asexual reproduction, this need does not arise. Courtship is highly developed in higher organisms.
To win a partner, animals perform ritual dances, make various sounds, such as screams, trills, singing. Such actions give the opposite sex a signal that the individual is ready for mating. Deer during the mating season emit a special roar, and when they meet with a potential rival, they arrange a fight. Whales touch each other with their fins, elephants stroke their trunks.
Adaptive behavior is also shown in parental care, which increases the chances of young individuals to survive. It is mainly characteristic of vertebrates and consists in building a nest, incubating eggs, feeding and learning. Monogamy and strong pairings are prevalent in species where the young require long-term care.
Food
Adaptive behavior associatedwith nutrition, depends on the biological characteristics of the animal. Hunting is common. It is carried out with the help of surveillance (for squid), traps (for spiders) or simple waiting (for praying mantises).
To save effort and time, some species use theft. For example, cuckoo bees do not build their own hives, but boldly penetrate into strangers. They kill the queen, lay their larvae in the colony, which are fed by unsuspecting worker bees.
Coyotes have adapted by being omnivores. So they significantly expanded their habitat. They can live in desert, mountainous areas, even adapted to life near cities. Coyotes eat anything, even carrion.
One way to adapt is to store food. Insects stock up to feed the larvae. For many rodents, this is part of the preparation for the bad season. Hamsters store about 15 kilograms of food for the winter.
Protection
Different defensive reactions of animals protect them from enemies. Adaptive behavior in this case can be expressed passively or actively. A passive reaction is manifested by hiding or fleeing. Some animals choose different tactics. They may play dead or freeze in place.
Hares run away from danger, confusing their tracks. Hedgehogs prefer to curl up in a ball, the turtle hides under the shell, the snail - in the shell. Species living in flocks or herds try to snuggle closer to each otherfriend. This makes it more difficult for a predator to attack an individual, and there is a chance that he will abandon his intention.
Active behavior is characterized by a vivid demonstration of aggression to the enemy. A certain posture, the position of the ears, tail and other parts should warn that the individual should not be approached. For example, cats and dogs show fangs, hiss or growl at enemies.
Public behavior
When animals interact with each other, adaptive behavior differs in different species. It depends on the characteristics of development and the way of life of an individual and is aimed at creating favorable living conditions and facilitating existence.
Ants team up to build anthills, beavers to build dams. Bees form hives, where each individual performs its role. Penguin cubs unite in groups and are under the supervision of adults while their parents hunt. Cohabitation of many species provides them with protection from predators and group defense in case of attack.
This includes territorial behavior, when animals mark their own possessions. Bears scratch the bark of trees, rub against them or leave tufts of wool. Birds make sounds, some animals use scents.
Building features
Climate has a strong influence on the adaptive features of the structure and behavior of animals. Depending on the degreeair humidity, environmental density, temperature fluctuations, they have historically formed different body shapes. For example, in underwater inhabitants, this is a streamlined shape. It helps you move faster and maneuver better.
A typical example of the adaptation of the structure to living conditions is the size of the ears of foxes. The colder the climate, the smaller the ears. In foxes living in the tundra, they are small, but in the fennec fox living in the desert, the ears reach up to 15 cm in length. Large ears help the fennec fox to cool off in the heat and also to catch the slightest movement.
Desert dwellers have nowhere to hide from the enemy, so some have good eyesight and hearing, others have strong hind limbs for fast movement and jumping (ostriches, kangaroos, jerboas). Their quickness also saves them from touching the hot sand.
Northern people may be slower. The main adaptations for them are a large amount of fat (up to 25% of the total body in seals), as well as the presence of hair.
Color Features
An important role is played by the color of the body and coat of the animal. Thermoregulation depends on it. Light color avoids exposure to direct sunlight and prevents overheating of the body.
Adaptive features of body color and behavior of animals are closely related to each other. During the mating season, the bright color of males attracts females. Individuals with the best pattern receive the right to mate. Newtscolored spots appear, peacocks have multi-colored feathers.
Color provides protection to animals. Most species camouflage themselves in the environment. Poisonous species, on the contrary, can have bright and defiant colors that warn of danger. Some animals in color and pattern only imitate poisonous counterparts.
Conclusion
The adaptive features of the structure, color and behavior of animals are largely the result of evolution. Differences in appearance and lifestyle are sometimes noticeable even within the same species. The environment was the main factor in shaping the difference.
Each organism is maximally adapted for living within its range. In the case when conditions change, the type of behavior, color and even the structure of the body may change.
