Question

Give the adaptations shown by desert animals.

Hint:

Desert animals often derive metabolic water from food, reducing dependence on external water sources.

Answer 1

Desert animals exhibit adaptations to survive extreme heat and water scarcity: 1. Water conservation: Concentrated urine and dry feces (e.g., kangaroo rat), minimal sweat, and water reabsorption in kidneys. 2. Heat tolerance: Reflective or light-colored skin/fur (e.g., fennec fox) to deflect heat, large ears for heat dissipation. 3. Nocturnal behavior: Active at night to avoid daytime heat (e.g., desert lizards, owls). 4. Specialized physiology: Estivation (dormancy during hot periods, e.g., lungfish), fat storage for water (e.g., camel’s hump). 5. Morphological adaptations: Burrowing to escape heat (e.g., scorpions), long limbs for heat loss (e.g., jackrabbit).