Final answer:
An adaptation is a heritable trait that aids the survival and reproduction of an organism in its present environment. Examples include a platypus's webbed feet for swimming, a snow leopard's thick fur for living in the cold, and a cheetah's fast speed for catching prey.
Step-by-step explanation:
An adaptation is a heritable trait that aids the survival and reproduction of an organism in its present environment. It is a match of the organism to the environment and occurs when a change in the genetic variation of a population increases or maintains its fit to the environment.
For example, a platypus's webbed feet for swimming, a snow leopard's thick fur for living in the cold, and a cheetah's fast speed for catching prey are all adaptations.