A changing climate and animals on the move

Living things are adapted to the climate where they live. An adaptation is a feature or a behaviour that helps an organism survive. A structural adaptation is part of the body, such as thick fur in a cold place or thorns on a plant. A behavioural adaptation is something the organism does, such as living in a herd or resting through the hottest hours. The dorcas gazelle lives in the deserts of Egypt. Its sandy coat is hard to see against the ground, its long legs help it run from enemies, and it gets much of its water from the plants it eats, so it does not need to drink often. It also rests in the shade at midday and feeds when it is cooler. Together these adaptations help it survive in a dry, hot habitat.