Homeschool Lessons: Adaptation
Updated: Sep 18, 2022
Adaptation is the biological change in a species to ensure its survival in its environment. For the next four weeks, we are exploring the adaptation of plants, mammals, and all exciting sea creatures. We began our unit by learning all about the bettas fish adaptation. I chose the betta for our intro to adaptation because we have a pet betta named Aqua! There is nothing more valuable than being able to observe the species that you are learning about. So I began my research for our lesson, and here are my findings.
All About Aqua
Labyrinth Organ- Formed nine days after hatching, allows betta to survive in low oxygen areas, shallow water, and even mud during dry seasons.
Seven Fins- The fins allow them to quickly maneuver the water and pick up momentum.
Bubble Nest-During the mating season, males create bubble nests on the water’s surface or underneath floating objects to house fertilized eggs.
Colorful Hues- Bettas are not as bright in the wild; they are usually brownish with a slight hint of color. Their vibrancy is a product of years of breeding.
We’ve had Aqua for some time; Aria received it as a gift from her cousin, and we have been unsure about its gender. But we have noticed the bubbles atop the water that we now know is a bubble nest! How cool is that!?! So I think it’s safe to assume that Aqua is a male betta. I think it’s time to find him a wife. Lol
Dolphins
Our next lesson was about dolphins. Dolphins are mammals like we are and have a backbone, need air to survive, and give birth to live babies, not eggs like fish. And that’s where our similarities end. Dolphins are beautiful and intelligent creatures, and we saw them over the summer. We took a dolphin boat tour, and they were so happy to flip and leap out of the water! Now, Do you know how dolphins sleep without drowning?
Blowhole- is used for breathing and is located at the top of a dolphin’s head. The dolphin swims to the surface to breathe. When a dolphin dives, it closes its blowhole. They can hold their breath for up to ten minutes. Amazingly, dolphins can slow down their circulatory system and heart rate to save energy. They sleep at the water’s surface or on seabeds, swimming slowly and coming up regularly for air.
Flippers- are used for steering.
Tail -used for swimming.
Betta Art Supplies
Stencil
Cardboard
Paint
Yarn or string
Tape
Scissors
Glue
Cotton balls
Pom poms
Choose the stencil, coloring sheet, or both! See attached below.
Cut out your betta, get creative, and have fun painting or coloring your betta.
Cut out Betta
Choose your colors and paint your betta
Let dry.
Pull apart cotton balls.
Cut out a circular piece or a shape of your choice.
Paste the cotton on to make a bubble nest.
Glue on pom poms for eggs
Cut out three pieces of string for the betta hanging fins and one to hang your fish.
Have fun!