Vertebrate Adaptions For Terrestrial Life AP-Biology Essay on vertebrate structural adaptations for terrestrial life. (From an actual past AP-BIOLOGY test) The problems of survival of animals on land are very different from those of survival of animals in aquatic environment. Describe four problems associated with animal survival in terrestrial environments but not in aquatic environments. For each problem, explain a physiological of structural solution. Four problems faced by animals on land are breathing (respiration), water conservation in excretions, successful reproduction, and the produci