The+Struggle+for+Survival

=__**Why do Plants and Animals Compete?**__= = media type="custom" key="23769580" align="center"

= =__**Competition**__=

When the items needed for survival are limited animals must compete. Organisms are constantly struggling to survive and meet their needs. These "needs" that are worth fighting for are things like: Food, water, space, shelter, mates, and light (for plants).

In a "Kill or be Killed" environment the goal of competition is to make sure you get what you want - I know, selfish right... Maybe you have heard of the phrase "Survival of the fittest". When it comes to staying alive in an ecosystem with limited resources, animals that are stronger, smarter, quicker, or just plain unique will have a better chance at beating other creatures in competitions and ensuring their survival. The weaker competitor is forced to move or die, while the stronger competitor receives the prize (Food, shelter, mate, etc.).

Check out this video. Even plants compete!

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=**__Carrying Capacity: The "Line in the Sand" for competitors...__**=

When an ecosystem gets crowded and there isn't enough to go around, animal competition begins. Things like food, water, space, and shelter are necessary for survival. However, in every ecosystem there is a maximum level of organisms that can use up these items. This "max level" is called an ecosystem's Carrying Capacity.

=**How-To-Survive... Make sure your needs are met!**=

**__Adaptations__**:

 * Some animals and plants have inherited changes from their parents that help them survive in an ecosystem. These can be physical changes like camouflaged fur, or a long beak that's just perfect for reaching the nectar inside a flower. They can also have behavioral adaptations, sometimes called instincts. Examples of these are things like knowing when to migrate, or how to build a perfect nest, or even the instinct to form a circle around your young when experiencing a predator.


 * **Watch the videos below. Try to count the examples of animal adaptations that help them survive!**

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**__Symbiosis__**: **"Teamwork" - It even works in the wild!**

 * Symbiosis is a long-term relationship between different species. In these "symbiotic relationships" one of the species is always helped. The other might be helped, harmed or not affect at all, but watch the video below for a happy example where both species are helped.

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