How does the shape of the whole or a part of an animal help it survive?  For instance, what advantage does the long neck of the giraffe give this animal over its competitors in the African savannah?  Did you know that the giraffe also has a long tongue that gives it an additional advantage over its competition? 
   It is not only the shape of an animal or one of its parts that help it survive in its environment.  Sometimes the behavior is also important.  For instance, you have heard about the skunk and its smell, and about  the peacock and its beautiful feathers.  These animals use behaviors for different purposes. Right?
   Let's think of some animals that live in very cold environments (such as polar bears, killer whales, walruses).   How are they able to survive in these cold temperatures?  Could these animals survive in the African Savannah?  Why or why not?

For the next two days, if you take the animal challenge, your assignment will be: 
   A scientist has left a list of characteristics in a big mess.  You are to act as a member of a team of detectives to find the animal as well as the likely environment for which the animal is adapted.  You will answer the question:  What animal or animals did the scientist find that belonged to a particular environment?
   Team One will be responsible for finding adaptations for the Desert 
   Team Two - the Ocean
   Team Three - the Evergreen Forest
   Team Four  - the Tropical Rainforest
    Take the list of adaptations given to you by your teacher, try to think if they would help the animal survive in your assigned environment, and then be ready to argue your case. 
   Your team will consist of a Materials Manager, Spokesperson, Timekeeper, Recorder 

Good Luck and Have fun with the assignment.

Additional Resources:
Desert Animals