One point of interest with the vampire bat is that its wings are not really wings. Bats evolved
separately from birds and thus their "wings" are structured much differently than the wings of birds. In
fact, a vampire bat’s wing structure is more similar to the hand of a human than the wing of a bird.
Hooves
Hooves are another body part that are an important adaptation for many large animals. In most cases,
animals with hooves use their specially adapted feet to maneuver in a rocky environment. Hooves
protect the feet of these animals and allow for greater mobility than unprotected feet. Animals at the
Milwaukee County Zoo with hooves include the greater kudu, zebras, and the Dall sheep.
Body Coverings
An animal’s body covering is one clearly visible adaptation. Body coverings help to protect animals in
diverse environments -- from the land to water, from the arctic to the desert. Mammals have hair, or
fur, that helps insulate their bodies. It keeps them warm in winter and can protect specific areas of the
body, like eyelashes protecting the eyes. Some mammals have different coverings: the armadillo has
plates, the porcupine has quills, and naked skin covers the dolphin. All of these help these mammals to
survive in the different conditions in which they live. Birds also have a very protective covering:
feathers. The feathers keep the bird warm in winter, help it fly or swim, and help fan the bird in hot
weather.
Amphibians and reptiles have body coverings that protect them as well. Amphibians have moist, slick
skin that is well suited for the water. Reptiles have tough, dry skin covered by scales. Insects, such as
the cockroach, have coverings that enable them to squeeze into very small places. This allows them to
find food and shelter. Many insects build nests (a behavioral adaptation) or cocoons (behavioral and
structural adaptation) for the winter because their body coverings alone do not permit them to adjust to
the cold. Many insects also have other adaptations included in their body coverings: cells that sense
light and pigments that allow some insects to change colors in order to hide themselves from predators.
Striped Fur
Striped fur is one variation of a special adaptation called camouflage. Striped
fur, in most cases, helps animals blend into their environment. This helps
the animal in one of several ways, including hiding from predators and
sneaking up on prey. Striped fur, as in the case of a tiger's vertical stripes,
serves the animal by helping it match the surrounding vegetation, thus making it nearly invisible to
other animals. In other animals, like the skunk, the stripes serve as a warning to predators. In this
way, the stripes serve as a defense mechanism.
Brightly Colored Feathers
Found mostly in tropical rain forests, birds with brightly colored feathers are
another example of an animal with an adaptive body covering. Brightly colored
feathers can serve several purposes, including camouflage, defense, and mating. In
some parts of the rain forest, the macaw and its brightly colored feathers can hide amid
similarly brightly colored plants and flowers. The male peacock uses its bright feathers
for another purpose: attracting a mate. In contrast to the male, the female peafowl has
very dull colored feathers. This feature, common among female birds of most species, helps
females hide while guarding their nest and protecting their young.
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