a particular environment. We are going to look at the camel, the giraffe, and the penguin

to see the features of their bodies that help them live in their specific habitat. First,

we will look at the camel. This mammal resides in the hot desert where sand blows everywhere.

Luckily they have double rows of extra-long eyelashes and thick eyebrows to help keep

sand out of the eyes. They also have the ability to close their nostrils to keep the sand out.

It is a misconception that camel’s humps are full of water. The humps actually store

fat that can be metabolized as a source of energy. The tan color of a camel’s coat

allows them to blend into their environment. The giraffe makes its home in the savannah,

which is a grassland scattered with trees. Its neck is around 6 feet long which is perfect

for eating leaves from the tall treetops. A giraffes tongue is long and tough which

protects it against thorns when feeding. The spotted coat of a giraffe is for camouflage.

This giraffe could be easily mistaken for a tree. The Antarctic region is home to the

penguin. It is extremely cold here, and the water temperatures never rise above freezing.

Penguins have to keep high body temperatures to remain active. They have thick skin and

lots of fat called blubber under their skin to keep warm in the cold weather. The dark

colored feathers of their back surface absorb heat from the sun, which also helps keep them

warm. Penguins have webbed feet for powerful swimming. Their bodies are streamlined to

reduce drag in the water. A penguin’s bones are solid and heavy which allow them to stay

under water. Their wings, shaped like flippers, help them to swim at speeds up to 15 mph.

The camel, giraffe, and penguin all live in different habitats and have different body

adaptations and behaviors that allow them to survive and thrive in their environment.