Speed vs. Camouflage: Which Is the Ultimate Survival Skill?


Have you ever wondered what is better for survival: running super fast or hiding in plain sight? Some people think speed is the best tool for an animal. Others believe that blending in is much smarter. Let us look at two amazing animals to decide which trick is truly the winner.
First, let us look at the cheetah. The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth. It can run as fast as a car on the highway! This incredible speed helps the cheetah catch its food, like fast gazelles. Living in the wide-open grasslands of Africa, the cheetah needs this speed to chase down its dinner before it escapes. However, running this fast is very tiring. A cheetah can only run in short bursts before it needs to stop and rest. If it does not catch its prey quickly, it loses its chance.
- Adaptation:
- A special body part or behavior that helps an animal survive in its environment.
- Camouflage:
- The coloring or patterns on an animal's body that help it blend in with its surroundings.
- Predator:
- An animal that hunts and eats other animals for food.
- Prey:
- An animal that is hunted and eaten by another animal.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What are the two different survival skills compared in this passage?
- 2How fast can a cheetah run?
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About this opinion / argumentative passage for 3rd Grade
“Speed vs. Camouflage: Which Is the Ultimate Survival Skill?” is a opinion / argumentative reading passage about Animal Adaptation, written for 3rd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (337 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.



