Q.Give the adaptations shown by desert animals.
You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.
Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Desert animals cope with extreme heat and water scarcity through behavioural avoidance of heat, water-conserving physiology, and body modifications.
Animals living in hot, arid deserts show a suite of adaptations to survive extreme heat and scarce water. Behaviourally, many desert animals are nocturnal or crepuscular, remaining in burrows or shade during the hottest part of the day and emerging to forage when temperatures drop, thereby avoiding direct heat stress. Physiologically, they conserve water aggressively: many can survive largely on metabolic water generated from the oxidation of food, produce highly concentrated urine and dry faeces to minimise water loss, and some (like the camel) can tolerate significant dehydration and large fluctuations in body temperature without harm. Structurally, desert mammals like the camel have long legs that keep the body well above the hot ground surface, and store fat (not water, a common misconception) in a hump, which can be metabolised for energy and metabolic water when food is scarce. Many desert animals also h …
Unlock everything free for 14 days
- Full step-by-step solutions
- Concept-first explanations
- Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
- PYQ mapping + timed mock tests
Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.