Special animal features

Many animals have special features which help them survive. Let us look at the animals below and learn about the special features which help them survive.

Beavers have very strong front teeth that never stop growing. They use their teeth to cut down trees. They use the trees they cut down to build dams across streams. These dams slow down the flow of water, making ponds.  Beavers go into the ponds to escape predators. They also use wood to build shelters in the ponds where they can be safe from predators and the cold. This shelter is called a beaver lodge.

^{This beaver is carrying a piece of wood to help build a dam across a stream.}

^{In the picture above we can see a lodge that was built by beavers.}

Most tortoises and turtles have a very hard shell. This shell protects them from predators as it is too hard for them to break. You can see a tortoise in the picture below. Can you think of any other animals with hard shells?

The animal in the picture below is a porcupine. It has special sharp spines on its body called quills. It uses them to defend itself from predators. Porcupine quills can pierce and get stuck in the skin of predators. Do you know any other animal with sharp spines on its body?

The butterfly in the picture below is called an owl butterfly. It has large spots on its wings that look like the eyes of an owl. This can scare predators away.

The animal in the picture below is called a yak. It lives in places that are very cold in the winter. A yak has very thick hair covering its body to keep it warm in cold weather.

Seals have a thick layer of fat called blubber under their skin. This helps to keep them warm in the cold water. Do you know any other animal which has blubber?

Jellyfish have tentacles which can sting and inject venom. They use them to catch and kill prey. They also use them as a defense against predators. 

The fish in the picture below is a stonefish. It has venomous spines on its back. Predators that try to eat it get a painful sting. Do you know any other animals that can sting?

The octopus can change its colour to blend in with its surroundings. This helps it hide from predators. Watch the video which shows how well an octopus can blend in with its surroundings.