NCERT Question 6 - Chapter 7 Class 7 - Weather, Climate and Adaptations of Animals

Following are some of the characteristics of animals:

For each characteristic, indicate whether it is an adaptation for tropical rainforests or polar regions. Do you think that some of these characteristics can be adapted for both regions?  

Answer:

• Tropical rainforests have a huge population of animals residing in them which has to compete for food and shelter .
• A big chunk of the population hence finds it easier to live off of trees in the forest which are present in abundance .
• They also have to protect themselves from predators and so develop characteristics that help them hide or escape in the green cover of the forest.
• Hence, animals are more likely to show the following characteristics :

(i)   Diets heavy on fruits

(iv) Loud voice -Tropical rainforests

(v) Sticky pads on feet - Tropical rainforests

(viii) Bright colours - Tropical rainforests

(ix) Strong tails - Tropical rainforests

(x) Long and large beak - Tropical rainforests

• Polar regions on the other hand are covered with snow and suffer from extremely cold climatic conditions . 
• Animals need to keep themselves warm , need to be able to move from one place to another in ice and snow, as well as need to be able to hunt for food in the harsh conditions.
• Some animals (like birds ) also need to migrate to warmer regions during winters to survive.
• So, animals in polar regions are likely to have the following characteristics:

(ii) White fur - Polar regions

(iii) Need to migrate - Polar regions

(vi) Layer of fat under skin - Polar regions

(vii) Wide and large paws - Polar regions

• No, the above qualities are unique to the given regions . 
• This is because animals developed these characteristics in response to the climatic conditions they were living in.
• They would be of no use in another climate.