Animal adaptation refers to the changes that animals undergo to survive in their environments. These adaptations can be physical, like the thick fur of a polar bear that keeps it warm in icy habitats, or behavioral, such as the migration patterns of birds that help them find food and suitable climates. These adaptations occur over many generations through the process of natural selection. Animals that are better suited to their environments are more likely to survive and reproduce, passing on their advantageous traits to their offspring. This ongoing process helps species thrive in diverse ecosystems.