An adaptation is a feature or behavior that helps a living thing survive and have young in its habitat (the place where it lives).

Structural adaptations are body parts or features. A duck has webbed feet for paddling. A polar bear has thick fur and a layer of fat to stay warm in the freezing Arctic. A camel has wide feet that stop it sinking into sand, and its hump stores fat.

Adaptations of behavior are things a living thing does. Many owls hunt at night when their prey is out. Some birds fly long distances (migrate) to find food and warmer weather. Some animals hibernate (go into a deep, sleep-like rest) through the coldest part of the year.

Plants have adaptations too. A cactus has a thick stem that stores water and spines instead of flat leaves, so it loses very little water in the dry desert.