Ecosystem my Animal is Found in- My animal is found in woodlands, coastal areas, lakes, rivers, and ponds.  The River Otter is also found in other aquatic ecosystems.  Even though it lives in the water it spends 2/3’s of its time on land or underground.  The River Otter populates most of the US and Canada, excluding Hawaii.  In Maine, the River Otter is found specifically on Mount Desert Island.

Animal Diversity- The Diversity of Animals in an ecosystem is very important because all of the species depend on one another to survive.  If we didn't have any giraffes what would feed the lions? Same as Human diversity is important Animal Diversity can actually decide whether an animal lives or whether it dies.  Another example is let's say we had an ecosystem that was filled with Lions, and had a very low unstable population of antelopes, eventually when the antelope population dies out the lions will have no food left and start to turn on each other, some will starve to death, and others will attempt to migrate away, but as we can see Animal Diversity is the glue that holds the most successful ecosystems together.

Abiotic Factors- Abiotic Factors are the non living factors in an ecosystem that affect the survival chances for an organism in that ecosystem. Abiotic Factors include: Water availability, sunlight, temperature range, landscaping (the way a piece of land is, i.e., rocky, flat, aquatic, grassy, open, secluded, cramped, etc.) aka geographical terrain, pH level, pollutant level, light intensity, oxygen availability, and exposure.  These factors are all equally important to an animal and how it survives.  If there isn't enough water in an ecosystem a river otter would have a hard time surviving and would be forced to move to another area.

Adaptation- Adaptation is the change by which an organism or species becomes better suited to its environment.  Examples: A owl has silent flight to help it not be heard by its prey while flying, superb eyesight which helps it spot prey when it is flying at nighttime, sharp beak and talons, makes it easier for the owl to destroy and consume its prey.  A river otters adaptations are its whiskers which help them feel their prey underwater and there eyesight helps them better spot their prey on and off land.  Plants have adaptations too.  An example is that leaves and pieces of grass have thin layers protecting their interior.  This adaptation helps protect the cells, and chlorophyl that is located inside a plant.

How Do Animals Relate to One Another?- Animals relate to one another just like we do.  They use a variety of different noises and they also communicate through touch, feel, scent, sound and taste just like we do.  Some animals only use a couple of the Five senses and others use all, but more importantly the fact that animals relate and communicate with one another is astounding.  Sometimes animals even try to communicate with us and we know what they are feeling/sensing.  An example is when a domestic house cat is purring we therefor know that they are happy and content.  When a domestic house cat has its back arched and is hissing we then know it is about to attack and is warning you to go away.

      By: Erika Joyce