A polar bear has a thick, warm coat. A camel has wide feet. A cactus has a fat, juicy stem. Each one has a body that is just right for where it lives.
Key idea
Living things have body parts that help them live in their own habitat.
Why it works
A polar bear's thick fur and a layer of fat keep it warm on the ice. A camel's wide feet do not sink in sand, and it can go a long time without drinking. A cactus stores water in its thick stem, and its spines keep thirsty animals from eating it.
Worked example: Let's think it through
Could a polar bear live well in a hot desert?
- Its thick fur and fat are made to keep heat in.
- In a hot desert it would get far too hot.
- There would be no seals for it to hunt.
Answer: No. A polar bear is made for icy places.
Common mistake
Children often think an animal could live anywhere if it moved there. A polar bear would overheat in a desert, and a cactus would rot in a soggy swamp. Each is suited to its own home.
For the grown-up. A camel's hump stores fat, not water, which surprises many grown-ups too. The camel can use that fat when food is hard to find.