Which of the following is an example of a behavioral adaptation?

Behavioral adaptations refer to the actions or behaviors that organisms perform in response to environmental challenges, which enhance their survival and reproduction. The example of a lizard basking in the sun illustrates a behavioral adaptation because it involves the lizard actively seeking out sunlight to regulate its body temperature. By basking, the lizard absorbs heat from the sun, which is crucial for its metabolic processes and overall health.

This behavior is instinctual and provides a direct benefit to the lizard, allowing it to maintain an optimal temperature for physiological functions. Understanding this type of adaptation is valuable as it showcases how organisms interact with their environment through learned or instinctual behaviors to cope with specific conditions.

In contrast, the other options represent structural adaptations which are physically inherent traits of the organisms. The beak shape of a bird and the thick fur of a rabbit are examples of physical characteristics that enhance feeding and insulation, respectively, while fish gills are anatomical features that facilitate underwater respiration. All these features are essential for species survival but do not involve behavior changes in response to environmental conditions.