Olympiad Test: Living And Non-living Things -1 - Class 4 MCQ

Aerial animals are those that can naturally fly, glide, or soar in the air. Examples include:

• Birds
• Insects
• Bats
• Sugar gliders
• Flying squirrels

These animals have evolved various adaptations that allow them to thrive in aerial environments.

A chameleon changes its skin colour to brown when it sits on the branch of a tree. This adaptation helps it blend in with its surroundings and avoid detection by predators.

All snakes are carnivores. Their diet varies by species and can include:

• Warm-blooded prey: such as rodents, rabbits, and birds
• Insects: a common food source for many species
• Amphibians: including frogs and toads
• Eggs: from various animals
• Other reptiles: some snakes will eat smaller reptiles
• Fish: depending on their habitat
• Earthworms and slugs: consumed by certain species

This diverse diet reflects the adaptability and hunting strategies of snakes.

The mismatched pair is:

• Amphibian – These animals live both on land and in water, not just on land.

Ducks and frogs have webbed feet, which are specially adapted for swimming. This adaptation provides several benefits:

• Improved propulsion: Their webbed feet act like paddles, increasing surface area to push against the water.
• Enhanced manoeuvrability: The wider foot structure allows for better control and agility while swimming.
• Energy efficiency: Webbed feet enable them to swim faster with less effort.

This adaptation is crucial for their survival as it helps them navigate aquatic environments effectively.

Frogs and toads are classified as amphibians. This means they are capable of living both in water and on land.

• They start their lives as eggs in water.
• As they grow, they undergo metamorphosis.
• Adult frogs can thrive in various habitats, including wetlands and forests.

Arboreal animals are those which spend most of their time in trees.

Key characteristics of arboreal animals include:

• Strong claws for gripping tree bark.
• Broad hip girdles that assist in climbing.
• Spines to prevent slipping as they navigate branches.
• An overall adaptation for tree climbing and living in a vertical habitat.

In contrast, terrestrial animals primarily have legs for walking on land and lungs for breathing air, which is not the case for the characteristics observed in the animal described.

In aerial animals, the fore­limbs are modified into wings.

This modification is an adaptation of the birds, such that they can fly through the air. 

Tigers and leopards have stripes on their bodies. The adaptation helps them to combine with the atmosphere. The main purpose of those animals having patterns on their body is to assist them in camouflage.

A scale protects the body of the snake and helps it move effectively. It also:

• Retains moisture to prevent drying out.
• Changes surface characteristics, such as roughness, to aid in camouflage.
• In some species, assists in capturing prey, like in Acrochordus.

Chameleons have several physical adaptations that aid their survival. Their ability to change skin colour allows them to:

• Blend in with their surroundings, providing camouflage from predators.
• Attract mates by displaying vibrant colours.
• Intimidate rivals during confrontations.

These colour changes are crucial for their survival in the wild.

The development of characteristics that help an organism survive in a specific environment is known as adaptation.

Animals in polar regions may exhibit the following adaptive features:

• Low surface area to volume ratio.
• Small extremities to minimise heat loss, such as shorter ears and limbs.
• Thick layer of fat or blubber, found in seals, to retain body heat.
• Thick, camouflaged fur for insulation and concealment.
• Thick fur on paws to provide warmth and grip on ice.

Frogs do hibernate. Aquatic frogs, like Ontario's Leopard Frog, go to the bottom of oxygen rich water bodies where they lie on top of the mud all winter. Being on top of the mud lets oxygen from the surrounding water get in through their skin. The rest of their body systems slow right down and they wait out the winter.

Fish breathe underwater using the oxygen that is dissolved in water. But to absorb oxygen from water, fish use special organs called gills. When the water moves through the gills, the dissolved oxygen from the water passes through the thin walls of gills and blood vessels, and enters the blood.

Mice, dogs, and tigers all share similar characteristics:

• They have fur.
• They possess four legs.

These traits are common among various mammals, making them distinct from other animal groups.

Polar bears live in the Arctic, where temperatures are extremely cold. They possess special adaptations that enable them to thrive in this habitat:

• Webbed feet for efficient swimming
• A thick layer of fat for insulation
• Fur that helps them blend in with their environment and stay dry
• Black skin that absorbs the sun's heat

Despite less vegetation and water, they keep walking for days without any food and water. They have big humps that store fat and can be converted into energy when there is no food and water.

Penguin wings are paddle-like flippers used for swimming. The motion of the flippers resembles the wing movements of flying birds, giving penguins the appearance of flying through water.

Camels are known as "ships of the desert" due to their remarkable adaptations for surviving in dry environments. Here are some key features:

• Thick fur that provides protection from the intense sun.
• Long eyelashes that shield their eyes from blowing sand.
• Ability to survive for days without water by effectively conserving moisture in their bodies.

These adaptations enable camels to thrive in harsh desert conditions where few other animals can survive.

Most bears are omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and animals. However, their diets can vary significantly:

• Some bears primarily consume vegetation, such as berries and roots.
• Others may focus more on meat, especially when it’s available.
• Their feeding habits are influenced by local food sources and the season.

This flexibility allows bears to adapt to different environments and food availability.