47 / 116
Adaptations for
Reproduction
Every kind of plant and animal must
reproduce. Every organism has adaptations
that allow it to produce offspring. Some
organisms spend a lot of time raising and
caring for their offspring. Other organisms
spend no time raising offspring. The
method of reproduction that works for
one kind of organism will not work for another kind of organism. Every
organism has its own adaptations for reproduction.
Dandelions are successful plants. Each plant produces hundreds or
thousands of seeds. Each seed has a puff of down to carry it on the wind
to a new location. Once the seeds blow away, they are on their own. The
dandelion’s adaptation for reproduction is to produce many seeds.
The grebe is a waterbird. The female lays eggs in a nest in a marsh.
When the chicks hatch, they follow their mother as they find food.
When they get tired, they climb on her back and snuggle down under
her feathers. The behavior of protecting the chicks is an adaptation that
helps the baby grebes survive.
This grebe protects her chicks by hiding them under her feathers.
Dandelions produce hundreds or
thousands of seeds.
47