Identify the picture below as a structural behavioral or physiological adaptation

An adaptation in nature is acquired through evolution and conveys some type of advantage that help a species to pass its genetic material along to another generation. It typically takes one of three forms: structural, physiological or behavioral.

Structural Adaptations

A structural adaptation is a change involving a physical aspect of an organism. The physical change is often related to a change in the organism's physical environment. For example, an ecosystem suddenly becoming forested might cause the animals living there to develop suction pads or climbing claws, which would convey a distinct advantage over species that did not change. Other examples of structural changes include developing wings for flight, fins for swimming or powerful legs for jumping.

Behavioral Adaptations

A behavioral adaptation is a change affecting the way an organism naturally acts. This type of adaption could be caused by a change in the surrounding environment or the actions of another species. For example, predatory animals might start hunting in packs -- giving them an evolutionary advantage over solo hunters. In addition to changes in a predatory strategy, examples of behavioral adaptations include changes in social patterns, communication methods, feeding habits and reproductive strategy.

Physiological Adaptation

Physiological adaptations are similar to structural adaptations in the sense that they involve a physical change to the species. However, physiological adaptations aren't always seen in an organism's appearance. This type of adaptation may be driven by either a change to the environment or the behavior of another species. For example, a species living in water that suddenly becomes more acidic might adapt by slowly shifting its own body chemistry. Other examples of physiological adaptations include developing greater intelligence and improving the senses.

Every Characteristic is Not an Adaptation

Fully embracing the Theory of Evolution and idea of adaption might cause you to start seeing every characteristic of an organism as an adaptation. However, many attributes of organisms did not develop as a way to better pass on genetic material. Some characteristics may simply be a happenstance of history. Other characteristics might be a by-product of a true adaptation. For instance, blood's red color results from the chemical process involved in blood -- the color is not, in and of itself, an adaptation. Some characteristics, such as the human appendix, may be outdated adaptations, still hanging on past the point of their usefulness.

• Research the Blue Whales habitat it lives in and lifestyle.
  The Blue Whale is a marine mammal and is the largest animal in the world to ever have lived. They live in oceans all over the world but migrate in different seasons. When Blue Whales give birth and breed they moved to more tropical oceans, although when they feed their young they can be found in high latitudes. These Blue Whales can be found in some popular oceans like Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean, Pacific Ocean and Antarctic Ocean, but are not often seen as their population has dramatically dropped. Population of Blue Whales has dropped due to the whaling era which was when different companies would kill the Whales to use in commercial products. Prior to this whaling era there was around 250,000 Blue Whales living, but after there is no more then 5,000 to 12,000. 
  
  Blue Whale migration depends on different climate changes, water temperature, depth, salinity of water and abundance of food. Two major seasons which are mating season and feeding season which for humans are known as winter and summer. Depending on the seasons Blue Whales travel to different ocean environments. The Blue Whale prefers to live in deep cold waters which is possible as they have a think layer of blubber to keep them warm. There it is easier to find their food. 
  
  In winter is when the Blue Whales have their breeding season and when they give birth to their young. This happens in warm tropical waters with a low latitude. They normally embark on long migrations that reach across thousands of kilometres. In winter they look to breed in warm waters where they give birth and mate.
  
  In the summer Blue Whales look for a cooler and higher latitude water which can be Arctic or Antarctic oceans. This is where they stay for around 3-4 months. Here they eat krill which are found in large groups, so there is always lots to eat. 
  
  After this the Blue Whales migrate back to the tropic areas and for these 4 months they don’t eat much but instead are capable but living on body reserves. This is where the females give birth as they need warm tropical waters to keep their young warm. 

  The image below shows where Blue Whale migration patterns that change from winter to summer.
  (Image from

  http://www.whales.org.au/discover/blue/blued.html)

Image of where Blue Whales migrate. Image from http://www.whales.org.au/discover/blue/blued.html

The video below is a news piece that shows Blue Whale migration to the California coast. 
(Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSQGw2Svjs)

- Research the behavioural and structural adaptations the Blue Whale has to survive.

Behavioural adaptations 
- A behavioural adaptation of Blue Whales is that when they need to eat they migrate to areas where krill is abundant. They feed about 100 meters under the water as this is where you will find large groups of krill. The Blue Whale is the largest animal in the world, which requires lots of food hence why they try to find large groups of krill.  In this feeding season they eat lots to sustain themselves during their migration. 

- Blue Whales migrate to warmer areas during the season when they give birth and mate, this is to help their young as they only have a small amount of blubber when they are born. With only a small layer of blubber this means is it easier for the young to get cold, so warmer waters will provide them with some warmth. 

- As well as migrating for the benefit of their young the mother whales normally hover over the top of their young. This is a protective instinct that has been developed in Blue Whales, this ensures the young will be safe.  

  - The Blue whale forms a short term couple during the mating season. Their relationships do’t last for very long and average around five weeks. The next season they find another mate. 

The photo below shows a mother Blue Whale and its young, swimming close by. 
(Photo from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41)

Mother Blue Whale and her young. Photo from http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41

Structural adaptations
Blue whales bodies have been adapted in many ways to make them come to how they are today. It is believed that all whales closest land relatives are the hippopotamuses, so you can see that several changes would have had to happen to get a hippo to a whale. 

- First of all their bodies have become streamlined which makes their movement through the water more efficient and they don’t have to use as much energy. Their front limbs have been changed and modified into flippers which help in steering and moving. While their behind limbs have mostly disappeared and tails have broadened to form two large sections which contributor to their movement. The tail moves powerfully up and down compared to a fish who's move side-to-side. 

-  They have developed a thick layer of fat which is called blubber and is located under the skin.The blubber insulates the Blue Whale from the cold and provides buoyancy so they can stay afloat.

- Their nostrils have moved to the top of their head which is now known as the blowhole and this allows them to come to the surface for air. This blowhole normally reaches the surface before the rest of its body. 

- When adapting to the water the Blue Whale internalised sensory and reproductive organs which reduced them dragging while swimming. Blue Whales do not have ears on the outsides of their bodies (external) although they use air sinuses and bones to detect different sounds (internally).

The image below shows Blue Whale structural adaptations and different body parts. 
(Image from http://www.exploringnature.org/graphics/mammals/whale_blue_diagram.jpg)

Image of Blue Whale body parts. Image from http://www.exploringnature.org/graphics/mammals/whale_blue_diagram.jpg

The video below shows an Australian voyage to gather information about Blue Whales. 
(Video from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uRfKP79clQ#t=214)

References (information)
Afsc.noaa.gov, (2014). National Marine Mammal Laboratory. [online] Available at: http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/nmml/education/cetaceans/blue.php [Accessed 19 Aug. 2014].
MarineBio.org, (2014). Blue Whales, Balaenoptera musculus. [online] Available at: http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41 [Accessed 25 Aug. 2014].
Whalefacts.org, (2014). Where do blue whales live?. [online] Available at: http://www.whalefacts.org/where-do-blue-whales-live/ [Accessed 19 Aug. 2014].
Whaleroute.com, (2014). Whale migration. [online] Available at: http://www.whaleroute.com/migrate/ [Accessed 19 Aug. 2014].

References (videos) 
MarineBio.org, (2014). Blue Whales, Balaenoptera musculus. [online] Available at: http://marinebio.org/species.asp?id=41 [Accessed 27 Aug. 2014].
YouTube, (2014). Blue Whale Migration Caught on Tape. [online] Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jcSQGw2Svjs [Accessed 27 Aug. 2014].

References (images)
Clarke, G. (2014). Whales on the Net - Blue Whale Migration & Distribution. [online] Whales.org.au. Available at: http://www.whales.org.au/discover/blue/blued.html [Accessed 27 Aug. 2014].
Exploringnature.org, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.exploringnature.org/graphics/mammals/whale_blue_diagram.jpg [Accessed 27 Aug. 2014].
Whales.org.au, (2014). [online] Available at: http://www.whales.org.au/discover/blue/bluedist.gif [Accessed 27 Aug. 2014].

What are 5 examples of structural adaptations?

What is a behavioral adaptation list or describe an example?

What is the term used to describe a characteristic that helps an organism survive in its environment and reproduce?

What is adaptation give one example each of Behavioural and structural adaptation?