Adaptive behavior (ecology)

Adaptive behavior in ecology means that animals and plants change the way they behave in response to changes in their environment. Just like how you might put on a jacket when it's cold outside or drink water when you're thirsty, animals and plants adapt their behavior to survive in their unique habitats.

Animals might change the way they hunt for food, the times of day they are active, or the places they go to find water. Plants might adjust when they flower or how much water they retain in their leaves. These changes help animals and plants to find food, escape from predators, and reproduce successfully.

For example, a chameleon can change its color and blend in with its surroundings to avoid being eaten by predators. A kangaroo rat gets all the water it needs from the seeds it eats and doesn't need to drink water like other rodents. A saguaro cactus stores water in its thick trunk and only blooms at night when pollinators are active. These are just a few examples of how animals and plants have adapted to their environments in different ways.

Overall, adaptive behavior in ecology is all about animals and plants figuring out how to survive and thrive in their unique habitats.