Adaptations - Post 11

Adaptations that enable Albus superstes to survive successfully in its habitat

The pond habitat in the Tundra Biome experiences cold and harsh conditions. Hence, Albus superstes needs to have the following structural and behavioural adaptations to survive in the cold environment.

·        A layer of oil on the fur

Enable the water to flow off easily when it goes to the pond in search for food. The oily fur keeps the cold water away and ensure that the body is dry.

·        Double layer of fur

The inner layer is thick and woolly. It traps air close to the skin to keep the organism warm. The outer layer is thick and hollow and helps to keep the organism dry.

·        Black skin under the thick fur

As black colour is a better absorbent of heat, the black skin helps to absorb heat better from the Sun and keeps the organism warm.

·        A thick layer of blubber below the black skin

  A blubber is a thick layer of body fat which helps to insulate the organism from the cold surroundings.

·        Small ears

Help to minimise body heat loss due to the small exposed surface area.

·        Hibernate during winter period

Hibernation which is a state of inactivity is characterised by lower body temperature, slower breathing rate, slower heart rate and slower metabolic rate. The organism hibernates during the winter period to slow down life processes in order to conserve energy as food supply is scarce during winter period.

Other adaptive features which help Albus superstes to survive successfully in the harsh conditions of the habitat are:

·        Short limbs

Allow the organism to stay closer to the ground to minimise the impact of strong winds which blows at high speed of between 48 to 97km/h

·        Excellent night vision

The organism has eyes with excellent night vision which allows the organism to see in an environment with little light.   

·        Body can store water

Ensures that it has sufficient water over a period of time due to limited rainfall in Tundra Biome.

·        Red blood cells contain more haemoglobin to carry more oxygen

With more haemoglobin in the red blood cells, more oxygen will be transported to all parts of the body to adapt to the low oxygen concentration level in the habitat.

Adaptations that enable Albus Superstes to fulfill its role effectively in the food chain

In order for the organism to hunt its prey more easily to fulfill its role effectively in the food chain, Albus Superstes has the following adaptive features.

Sharp Eyesight

As the habitat experiences prolonged dark winters where the sun never rises above the horizon, the organism needs to be well adapted in an environment with limited light in order to hunt its prey effectively. Therefore, the organism needs to have sharp eyesight which is one of the most important senses. It has eyes with excellent vision that allows it to spot its prey in the dark and from a distance.

Camouflage

In order to increase the chance to catch its prey, the organism has white fur so as to allow it to camouflage and blend well with the surrounding snow. Hence, the organism will not be easily spotted by its prey.

Strong and muscular limbs, stiff hairs under the sole of the feet, sharp horns, strong claws,  strong jaw with sharp canine teeth, and big molar teeth

As an omnivore, Albus Superstes is both a tertiary consumer and primary consumer. As tertiary consumer, it feeds on the carnivore in the food web and as primary consumer, it feeds on the producer in the food web. 

The organism’s strong and muscular limbs enable it to chase its prey at a fast speed. The stiff hairs under the sole of its feet helps to increase friction with the icy ground so that it can chase its prey without slipping. Its strong claws help to grip its prey tightly and its sharp horns help to pierce the flesh of its prey. The strong jaw and sharp canine teeth help to tear the flesh of the prey. All these adaptations help the organism to hunt its prey more effectively. The organism also has big molars to grind the plants that it feeds on.