Needs, homes and adaptations

Different environments need different adaptations. The emperor penguin lives in the freezing cold of Antarctica. It has a thick layer of fat called blubber under its skin and dense, packed feathers that hold in heat. The polar bear, at the other end of the world, also has thick fat and thick fur. In hot deserts, the camel has wide, flat feet that do not sink into sand, and long eyelashes that keep out dust. Its hump stores fat, not water. The fennec fox has big ears that give off heat and a sandy coat. In a hot, wet tropical rain forest, a tree frog has sticky toes for climbing, and a poison dart frog has bright colours that warn enemies it is dangerous. Remember, animals do not choose these features: they are traits inherited over many generations that helped their ancestors survive.