Physical Adaptations

Adaptations to Arctic Lands

The animals that lived in arctic lands long ago and those that live there today look different than animals that live in warmer climates. This is because their bodies have adapted to help them survive in the cold conditions. One of the adaptations that is easiest to notice is their larger size. Arctic animals are large because large bodies make more heat.

They also have short ears, noses and legs. These are part of the body's natural cooling system. The bigger these parts are, the more heat they give off. Arctic animals need to keep in all the heat their bodies can make. This is the reason why their ears, noses and legs are shorter than those of animals that live in warmer climates.

Cursorial

Cursorial is a biological term that describes an organism as being adapted specifically to run. It is typically used in conjunction with an animal's feeding habits or another important adaptation. For example, a horse can be considered a "cursorial grazer", while a cheetah may be considered a "cursorial predator"


SIZE

1. A horse is measured from the ground to the withers (the tip of its shoulders), in units called hands (one hand equals 4 in. or 10.2 cm).


2. Male adult Clydesdales measure 17 to 19 hands (5.7 - 6.3 ft. or 1.7 - 1.9 m).


3. Female adults measure 16 to 18 hands (5.3 - 5.7 ft. or 1.6 - 1.7m).


4. A male's average weight is between 1,700 and 2,200 lb. (771 - 998 kg).


5. A female's average weight is between 1,500 and 2,000 lb. (680 - 771 kg).


COLORATION

1. The most common Clydesdale colors are bay (a deep mahogany brown) and brown, though some are gray and black. White markings on the face, legs, and sometimes on the body are typical of this breed.

LIMBS

1. Horses are cursorial (adapted for running). They're adapted to a mobile open-country existence.


2. Specializations of the leg and foot enable these animals to be swift and strong runners.

• In the forelegs, the ulna is reduced in size so that all the weight is carried by the radius. The radius and ulna are fused.

• In the hindlegs, the fibula is reduced in size so that all the weight is supported by the tibia. The tibia and fibula are fused.


HOOFS

1. In odd-toed hoofed mammals, the body's weight is borne on the central or third digit (toe). The main axis of the foot passes through the third digit, which is the longest on all four feet.


2. In all horses, only the third digit of each foot is functional. The remaining digits are vestigial (rudimentary and nonfunctioning).


3. The horse's foot is completely surrounded by keratin (a tough, fibrous protein which also composes a human's fingernail) to protect it from the terrain.


4. Horses walk on their hoofs, not on the soles of their feet.


5. A horseshoe for a full-grown Clydesdale measures more that 22 in. (51 cm) from end to end and weighs about five lb. (2.3 kg). It's more than two times as long and four times as heavy as a shoe worn by a riding horse.


6. To shoe a horse, excess hoof growth is trimmed away and then the shoe is attached to the hoof by eight nails, each 3 to 4 in. (8 - 10 cm) in length.
• Shoes for the hind feet have tips that curve out for additional support and traction, since these feet bear the heaviest load when hauling.

• Shoes are reset every six weeks.

HEAD

1. The skull has a relatively elongated muzzle, providing space for the teeth.


2. The eyes are well above ground level while the horse is grazing. This provides the horse with greater area of vision to look out for impending danger.


3. The ears are exceptionally mobile and can be erected and directed at will toward a sound.

CANADA GOOSE


ADAPTATIONS


.... webbed feet for swimming

.... legs are set forward, so geese are able to walk better on land than ducks and swans.

.... fluffy down feathers help to protect geese from the cold

.... oil glands (near the tail) are used for waterproofing the feathers form flocks to fly south for the winter might not migrate if there are open waters and a food supply for winter found in cities (where there is water and food nearby)

BEHAVIOR (HABITS)

..... eat by grazing on grasslands or fields; or dipping and dabbling in water

..... graze : to walk about eating grass and plants

..... dip and dabble : put head underwater and come out again, splash around

..... fly in a v formation

..... have different sounds to communicate (about 13 different calls)

..... honk (when flying), cluck or cackle (when feeding), hiss (when angry)
also communicate by body movements

..... mate for life; pair stays together as long as both are alive and well

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cursorial

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...PK203%26sa%3DG

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...PK203%26sa%3DN

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...PK203%26sa%3DN

Thanks dear. i asked for this topic and u have just started testing ur skills on it. I am grateful. It is pretty comprehensive too.

Waiting for more
Regards

__________________
The world is my oyster!

@ I M Possible and Prissy Girl

I have added general view of Physical adaptations and its not complete yet will continue it with time to time. If you want to have it in depth, then you can also share the material on the thread. It would be best if you both have good material regarding it or you can share the link that can prove valuable. It will help those members opting for Zoology.

Thanks I M Possible for appreciation. Yesterday I had some time so worked on it only.

Regards

__________________
"When Allah leads you to the edge of the cliff, Trust Him Fully, only 1 of 2 things will happen either He will catch you when you fall or He will teach you how to fly"

Miss Naqvi:

Well you may add by and by. I will keep chekcing it. Thanks dear.

Regards

__________________
The world is my oyster!

i will b grateful if it is discussed so that i may bcum able to know how to study and how to compile the notes from CSS point of view and even wot shud b included in the subject and wot is not
thanks

__________________
~Miss zoologist~

prissygirl:

Dear that is the main motto of the forum what u r talking about. Well it's good that i have got some relevant members over here. Let us keep in touch.

Regards

__________________
The world is my oyster!

prisygirl:

Well it is easy. I agree but you know the point is to attempt it from css point of view. We need to use technical english + proper way of presenting ur views theoratically.

Regards

__________________
The world is my oyster!