Science · Stage 5
Adaptations for Survival
Some adaptations are body features you can see; others are actions an animal does — learn to tell the two apart.
✦ Science📘 Stage 5 · S5⏱ ~10 min🧒 Ages 9–10★ Free to start
I can compare structural and behavioural adaptations.
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Kavi Packs for the Cold
Kavi zips up a tiny coat and grins at a polar bear 🐻❄️. "To survive, an animal has two kinds of tricks! A structural adaptation is a body feature it is born with — thick fur, a shell, webbed feet. A behavioural adaptation is an action it does — hibernating, migrating, huddling for warmth. One is a part, one is a plan. Let's learn to tell them apart!"
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What your child will learn
1A part vs a planEvery survival trick is one of two kinds. Tap each card to hear it.
2A polar bear's survival kitA polar bear survives the Arctic with body features AND smart actions. Tap each one — is it structural or behavioural?
3Body or action?Drop each adaptation into the right box: is it a body feature (structural) or something the animal does (behavioural)?
4Structural or behavioural?Read each one and predict the kind of adaptation. Tap to check! Tap Next test for more.
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A peek inside
A tortoise carries a hard shell everywhere it goes. 🐢 Is that a structural or behavioural adaptation, and how do you know?
A shell is part of the tortoise's body — it is born with it and never puts it down. A body feature is structural.
Try this at home: What is a structural adaptation?
Ready to play and learn?
Start the free interactive lesson, or print the handout for screen-free play.
Part of Science · Stage 5 · S5 on KAVI Academy — a secular, whole-child learning platform for ages 5–12.