Adaptations

“Multiply, vary, let the strongest live and the weakest die.” 

― Charles Darwin, The Origin of Species

The diversity of our world makes it beautiful and amazing. I am happy that the genetic code is not always perfect.  Errors in the genetic code cause mutations which is the source of variation.  Not all variations help an organism survive, but they do help our world from being boring.  

Adaptations can be behavioral, structural, or physiological.  This week our focus was finding coloration, size, shape or behavior adaptations.  I don't know if this week i cheated on taking my photos, but I attended the Wetland Days at Busch Wildlife hosted by the Department of Conservation with my boys. I couldn't resist taking pictures. 

Great Horned Owl

Coloration

Peregrine Falcon

The Great Horned Owl is an excellent hunter. His different shades of brown feathers lets him blend in with the tree in which he sits in high above his prey. His prey cannot see him hidden in the tree, but the coloration of his feathers, large eyes, sharp long claws and extreme turning radius of his head makes him a top predator.

Size

Peregrine Falcon uses it's small size to it's advantage.  It's commonly know as a Duck Hawk, it is one of the fastest diving predators. Being smaller in size lets the peregrine falcon reach speeds up to 200 mph and grab its prey in mid air with its' long, sharp talons. 

Hooded Merganser

Shape

The Hooded Merganser has a unique beak compared to most water fowl in Missouri.  This water fowl has a thin, serrated bill used when they dive to catch crayfish and fish in lakes and rivers. The serrated bill gives them their niche amongst the other water fowl by having the ability to dive and catch fish underwater. 

All of these adaptations increase the organism's survival by giving them a better ability to hunt. The more food, the healthier the organism and a better chance for survival.  As I tell my freshman biology students, it is all about surviving and reproducing!