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Plant and Animal Adaptations

How do plants and animals protect themselves?

Goal:

Goal:

Plants and animals protect themselves from pests and predators in many ways. Here are some examples. Click the pictures below to learn more about each adaptation. What other adaptations can you remember?

close up view of cactus.

Plants, like cactus, and animals, like porcupines, use spikes to keep pests and predators away.

close up view of the bark on a tree.

Trees have rough bark, and armadillos have a hard outer covering to keep pests and predators away.

chameleon hiding in a plant

Some plants and animals use camouflage to blend in with their environment. Predators and pests cannot find them easily. Can you see the chameleon hiding in this plant?

rattlesnake

Other animals, like rattlesnakes, make sounds to protect themselves. The noises scare predators.

Question

How does a cactus protect itself?

A cactus protects itself with sharp spines.