CBSE NCERT CHAPTER 7
CLASS: VII WEATHER, CLIMATE AND SCIENCE
ADAPTATIONS OF ANIMALAS TO CLIMATE
STUDY NOTES
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Weather
• The daily weather report carries information about the temperature, humidity and rainfall during the
past 24 hours. It also predicts the weather for the day.
• Humidity is the amount of moisture in the air.
• The weather reports are prepared by the Meteorological Department of the Government. This
department collects data on temperature, wind, etc., and makes weather prediction.
• Rainfall is measured by an instrument called rain gauge.
Rain Gauge
• The day-to-day condition of the atmosphere at a place with respect to the temperature,
humidity, rainfall, wind speed, etc., is called the weather at that place.
• Temperature, humidity, rainfall, wind speed is called the elements of the weather.
• The maximum temperature of the day occurs generally in the afternoon while minimum temperature
occurs generally in the early morning.
• All changes in weather are caused by the sun. So, the sun is the primary source of energy that
causes changes in the weather. Energy absorbed and reflected by the earth’s surface, oceans and the
atmosphere play important roles in determining the weather at any place.
Climate
• The average weather pattern taken over a long time, say 25 years is called the climate of the
place.
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Factors that determines the climate
• Distance from the sea.
• Altitude or height above sea level.
• Humidity.
• Temperature.
Climate and Adaptation
• Climate has a profound effect on all living organisms. Animals are adapted to survive in the
conditions in which they live. Animals living in very cold and hot climate must possess special
features to protect themselves against the extreme cold or heat.
• The tropical and the polar regions are the two regions of the earth, which have severe climate
conditions.
A) The Polar Region:
• The Polar Regions present an extreme climate. These regions are covered with snow and it is very
cold for most part of the year. For six months the sun does not set at the poles while for the other
six months the sun does not rise. In winters, the temperature can be as low as -37℃. Animals
living there have adapted to these severe conditions.
Polar Bear-
• Polar bears have white fur- so that
they are not easily visible in the
snowy white background. It protects
them from their predators. It also
helps them in catching their prey.
• Two thick layers of fur- keeps
them warm and thus helps them
protect from extreme cold.
• Layer of fat under their skin-
keeps them warm and thus helps
them protect from extreme cold.
• Strong sense of smell- helps to
locate and catch its prey.
• Long curved and sharp claws-
help to walk on ice.
• Polar bears are so well-insulated that they have to move slowly and rest often to avoid getting
overheated. Physical activities on warm days necessitate cooling. So, the polar bear goes for
swimming. It is a good swimmer. Its paws help them to swim. While swimming under water, it
can close its nostrils and can remain under water for long durations.
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Penguin-
• White colour- so that they are not
easily visible in the snowy white
background. It protects them from their
predators. It also helps them in catching
their prey.
• Thick skin and lot of fat- - keeps them
warm and thus helps them protect from
extreme cold.
• Huddle together- this behavioral
adaptation helps to keep them warm.
• Streamlined body, flipper-like wings and webbed feet- makes them a good swimmer.
Other animals-
• Other animals living in the polar regions are many types of fishes, musk oxen, reindeers,
foxes, seals, whales and birds. It is to be noted that while fish can remain under cold water
for long, birds must remain warm to survive. They migrate to warmer regions when winter
sets in. They come back after the winter is over.
• Siberian crane that comes from Siberia to places like Bharatpur in Rajasthan and Sultanpur
in Haryana, and some wetlands of north east and other parts of India.
How do birds migrate to the same place every year?
• It seems that these birds have a built–in sense of
direction and know in which direction to travel.
• Some birds probably use landmarks to guide
them.
• Birds may be guided by the sun during the day
and stars at night.
• There is some evidence that birds may use the
magnetic field of the earth to find direction.
B) The Tropical Rainforests:
• The tropical region has generally a hot climate because of its location around the equator. Even in
the coldest month the temperature is generally higher than about 15°C. During hot summers, the
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temperature may cross 40°C. These regions get plenty of rainfall. An important feature of this
region is the tropical rainforests.
• Tropical rainforests are found in Western Ghats and Assam in India, Southeast Asia, Central
America and Central Africa.
• Because of continuous warmth and rain, this region supports wide variety of plants and animals.
• The major types of animals living in the rainforests are monkeys, apes, gorillas, lions, tigers,
elephants, leopards, lizards, snakes, birds and insects.
Red-eyed frog-
• Red-eyed frog has developed sticky pad on its
feet- help it to climb on trees.
• Red bulgy eyes- to scare the predators.
• Long sticky tongue- to catch the prey.
• Green colour- to camouflage the surrounding
and helps to protect from predators.
• It sleeps during the day and becomes active
during night and feeds on the insects present on the tree.
Monkey-
• Long tail- for grasping branches.
• Hands and feet- are adapted in such a way that
they can easily hold the branches of trees.
• Good eyesight- to escape from predators.
• Monkeys eat fruits, seeds, leaves, root and insects
as their food which is present in abundance in
tropical rainforest.
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Toucan-
• Long- large beak- helps to reach the fruits on branches
which are otherwise too weak to support its weight and
its large beak also helps in temporary storage of fruits.
• Feet- can grasp the branches firmly.
• Change colour of the feathers- to camouflage with the
surrounding to protect themselves from predators.
Lion and Tiger-
• Yellow brown colour of skin- camouflage with the
surrounding so can catch prey easily.
• Strong sense of smell, sensitive hearing, good
eyesight- helps to locate prey.
• Strong legs- to run fast and catch prey.
• Long, sharp and strong claws- to catch prey.
• Sharp canines- to tear the flesh of prey.
Lion-Tailed macaque-
• The lion-tailed macaque (also called Beard ape)
lives in the rainforests of Western Ghats.
• Its most outstanding feature is the silver-white
mane, which surrounds the head from the cheeks
down to its chin.
• It is a good climber and spends a major part of
its life on the tree. It feeds mainly on fruits. It also eats seeds, young leaves, stems, flowers and
buds. This beard ape also searches for insects under the bark of the trees. Since it is able to get
sufficient food on the trees, it rarely comes down on the ground.
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Elephant-
• Long trunk- strong sense of smell, breathing, picking up food, drinking and splashing water.
• Tusk- tearing the bark of trees, to fight with their enemies.
• Large ears- to hear even very soft sound, to keep it cool in the hot and humid climate of the
tropical rainforest.
• Large and round feet- distribute the body weight and thus prevents it from sinking into soft
ground.
