All organisms have adaptations. the list below describes how different adaptations might affect different species. a bird species that develops a longer beak would be able to extract insects from holes that are deep within trees. a plant species that develops the ability to excrete salt through the leaves of the plant could survive in soils that have high concentrations of salt. a rodent species that develops the ability to hibernate, or remain inactive during the winter months, would be able to conserve energy when little food is available. which of the following is true? the inherited characteristics of a species change over time based on the use or disuse of particular characteristics. sudden environmental changes are always necessary for the development of new adaptations. adaptations allow individual organisms to change their structures based on environmental conditions. adaptations increase the probability of an organism surviving and reproducing in a specific environment.