Word meanings: science 3

An adaptation is a change that evolves slowly over time. Many animals have had to adapt to their environment to survive. The hot and dry desert is one environment where animals have had to do this.

The sidewinder is a venomous snake found in the American Southwest whose physical characteristics help it withstand tough desert conditions. It moves by thrusting its body in a S-shaped, sideways motion. Only two sections of its body are touching the ground (often very hot sand) at any time. It also has a hornlike scale over each eye. This helps to shade the eyes and keep blowing sand out.