All living things must adapt or have some qualities that allow them to survive. In the face of sudden changes in the environment, not all species have this capacity and throughout evolutionary history many have been left behind and have disappeared. Others, despite their simplicity, have managed to survive to this day.
Have you ever wondered why there are so many different species of animals? In this article on our site we will talk about the adaptations of living beings to the environment, the types that exist and we will show some examples.
What is the adaptation of living beings to the environment?
The adaptation of living beings to the environment is a set of physiological processes, morphological characters or behavioral changes that allow the survival of the living beings in different ecosystems. Adaptation is one of the reasons why there is such a wide variety of life forms on our planet.
When powerful changes occur in the environment, those less general beings that have very specific needs tend to disappear.
Types of adaptations of living beings to the environment
Thanks to adaptation, many species have managed to survive throughout the planet's history. All living things are intrinsically adaptable, but many of these adaptations have occurred randomly, that is, the appearance or disappearance of genes because, for example, certain Individuals have not managed to survive, not because they were not adapted to their environment, but because any catastrophe has been able to make their traces disappear from the planet. The appearance of certain characters could have happened due to the random mutation of part of their genome. The different types of adaptations are:
Physiological adaptations
These adaptations are related to changes in the metabolism of organisms. Certain organs begin to function differently when certain changes occur in the environment. The two best known physiological adaptations are hibernation and aestivation
In both cases, whether when the environmental temperature drops well below 0ºC or well above 40ºC, coupled with low relative humidity, certain beings are capable oflower their basal metabolism to such an extent that they remain in a dormant state for short or long periods of time, to thus being able to survive the most devastating seasons of its ecosystem.
Morphological adaptations
They are external structures of animals that allow them to better adapt to their environment. For example, the fins of aquatic animals or the thick fur of animals that live in cold climates. But the two most attractive morphological adaptations are crypsis or camouflage and mimicry
Cryptic animals are those that blend perfectly with their environment and are almost impossible to detect in a landscape, such as stick-insects or leaf-insects. On the other hand, mimicry consists of imitating the appearance of dangerous animals, for example, monarch butterflies are highly poisonous and do not have many predators, the viceroy butterfly has the same physical appearance without being poisonous, but since it resembles the monarch it is not predated either.
Behavioral adaptations
These adaptations lead animals to develop certain behaviors that achieve the survival of the individual or the species. Fleeing from a predator, hiding, seeking shelter or foraging for nutritious food are examples of behavioral adaptations, although the two most characteristic of this type of adaptation are migration or courtshipMigration is used by animals to flee from their environment when the weather conditions are not ideal. Courtship is a set of behavioral patterns that aim to find a mate and reproduce.
Examples of adaptations of living beings to the environment
Below we will name some adaptations that make certain animals suitable for the environment in which they live:
Examples of terrestrial adaptation
The eggshell in reptiles and birds is an example of adaptation to the terrestrial environment, as it prevents the embryo from drying out. The hair in mammals is another adaptation to the terrestrial environment as it serves to protect the skin.
Examples of adaptation to the aquatic environment
The fins on fish or aquatic mammals allow them to move better in the water. Likewise, the interdigital membranes of amphibians and birds have the same effect.
Examples of adaptation to light or its absence
Nocturnal animals have well-developed eyeballs that allow them to see at night. Animals that live underground and do not rely on light to see often lack the sense of sight.
Examples of temperature adaptation
The accumulation of fat under the skin is an adaptation to cold climates. According to Allen's rule, animals that live in cold areas have shorter limbs, ears, tails or snouts than animals that live in warm areas, as they must prevent heat loss.
However, animals that live in very hot areas are characterized, for example, by having large ears that allow them to loss of body heat and consequently increased cooling.
