Assignment: Adaptations to New Environments Exploration Directions: Read the descriptions of the four islands presented in the lesson.
1. List two new traits that each new species of rat might demonstrate as it adapts to the conditions on each island.
2. Introduce one of the four new rat species to another island and describe one challenge it would encounter and one success as it adapts to its new environment.

List the traits of each new species of rat

The rat on Island A:

1.

2.

The rat on Island B:

1.

2.

The rat on Island C:

1.

2.

The rat on Island D:

1.

2.
Describe a challenge that would be encountered and a success of one of the new rats to another new environment (example: the rat living on Island B now moves to Island D).

Island A
The island is fairly flat with an occasional hill. The ground is made of soft dirt, and several species of shrubs grow toward the center of the island. There is no animal life on land, but the water around the island is teeming with fish. The island is surrounded by a coral reef, and the shore is sandy with no algae growing on it. Freshwater is available.
Island B
This island has a rocky shoreline. Numerous tide pools dot the island along the shore where the wave action is somewhat sheltered by rocky outcrops. The tide pools host barnacles, abalone, sea urchins, and crabs. Algae grow all around the island; however, the growth of algae is quite sparse in the tide pools where the various animals feed. The current is quite strong along the rocky outcrops where the algae grow best. Freshwater is available.
Island C
The island is somewhat barren. A few species of cactus thrive on the bare rocks, and a large, cactus eating tortoise inhabits the island. A species of very large birds nests on the island annually. The birds build their nests on the rocks and protect their eggs from the sun by standing over the nests with outspread wings. The nests are always found on the windy side of the island, which is somewhat cooled by offshore breezes.

Island D
This island is an extinct volcano. Vegetation on the island changes as the altitude increases. Grasses grow at the base of the volcano, but farther up the volcano’s slope, the grasses give way to low shrubs. Halfway up, the island becomes quite lush; tropical plants and trees dominate the landscape. At this altitude, the island experiences frequent rain showers. Two species of birds inhabit the island. One is a raptor that preys on the smaller birds. The other fishes the waters approximately one mile offshore. Both of the bird species nest in trees.