An adaptation is a feature shaped by evolution that can help in a particular setting. It is not a feature an animal chooses because it needs one. Harbour seals have streamlined bodies and insulating blubber. Giant Pacific octopuses have eight arms with suckers, not squid-like feeding tentacles. Safety: No cold-water, oil, food, animal-contact or swimming test. Stop: Stop after the paper matches. Do not handle marine animals, test cold water or use food to lure wildlife.

Materials: Paper; Pencil 1. Copy three challenge cards: move through water; lose less body heat in cold water; avoid detection or hold prey. Draw a harbour seal outline and an octopus outline. They can be simple labelled shapes. 2. Copy four feature cards: seal’s tapered body reduces drag; seal’s blubber slows heat loss; many shallow-water octopuses can change skin colour and appearance to blend with surroundings; octopus arms and suckers help grasp prey or surfaces. Match each feature to a challenge and draw an arrow with because. 3. Give the seal two labels, streamlined body and blubber. Give the octopus two labels, camouflage and arms with suckers. Write how two features can solve different problems in one animal. 4. Apply the cards to an illustrative scenario: an octopus rests against a patterned rock and then holds a crab. Name which feature could help at each stage. State one limit: camouflage does not make it invisible, and the paper shapes do not test swimming or insulation. Done: Complete four feature-challenge arrows and the two-stage octopus scenario with reasons. Proof: Keep the animal outlines and scenario answer. Note any feature names or reasons supplied by the adult. Stop: Stop after the paper matches. Do not handle marine animals, test cold water or use food to lure wildlife.