External Structures of Animals

#animals #adaptations #ngscience @NGScience
Animals are made up of different parts or structures. These structures help the animals to survive in their environment and can be divided into two types – external structures and internal structures.

The external structures of animals are those parts we can see, and their function is often directly related to the animal's environment and behavior. Let's look at some examples.

Birds have bodies covered in feathers, which have two functions – providing warmth and enabling flight. Reptiles have scales or plates that help in preventing water loss and also aid in protection.

Scorpions have pincers and a stinger, which are used for catching and killing its prey.
Ladybugs have a hard, colorful exoskeleton that protects their delicate wings and body. Its bright color also acts as a warning to potential predators.

Cheetahs have a sleek, slender body and a flexible spine which allows them to run at incredibly high speeds, their most notable external structure for hunting down prey.

Butterflies and moths have large, often brightly colored wings that not only allow them to fly from flower to flower for nectar, but also serve as a means to deter predators through camouflage or warning colors.

Porcupines have sharp quills or spines covering their bodies. These quills deter predators, providing a powerful means of self-defense.

What are some other external animal structures? How do they help animals to survive in their environment?