Each habitat has its own set of conditions or 'environment', and the organisms present have adapted themselves to these conditions. These adaptations may include markings which camouflage the organism, protecting it from predators, or the modification of part of the body to help the organism survive.

This locust is well camouflaged, protecting it from predatory birds.

Adaptation to daily and seasonal changes in habitat

Habitats change every day, and sometimes more frequently than this! Most habitats are light during the day and dark at night (with the exceptions of those underground, or in the depths of the oceans). Different groups of organisms may use a particular habitat during the hours of darkness, while those active during the day are asleep. These 'nocturnal' organisms have some distinct adaptations, for example they often have larger, more sensitive eyes and excellent hearing. Others may have very poor eyesight, like bats, but have an echo-location system of high-pitched squeaks which helps them navigate and find food.

The tawny owl has large, sensitive eyes to help it see its prey, whilst bats have large ears for using echo-location. Both are adapted for a nocturnal habitat.

Those organisms which colonise the seashore have to cope with changes twice a day as the tide ebbs and flows twice in 24 hours. This influences the type of organisms found in this habitat and the way they are adapted to these changes.

The organisms in this rocky seashore habitat have to cope with the battering of the waves and two lots of immersion and exposure each day.