Adaptation

An adaptation is a heritable trait that helps an organism to survive and reproduce in its present environment.

Scientists describe groups of organisms becoming adapted to their environment when a change in the range of genetic variation occurs over time that increases or maintains the “fit” of the population to its environment.

Every organism possesses adaptations. For example, the webbed feet of platypuses are an adaptation for swimming. The snow leopards’ thick fur is an adaptation for living in the cold. The cheetahs’ fast speed is an adaptation for catching prey.