Desert Animals – Animals that live in Hot and Dry Desert

Introduction to Desert Animals 

First of all, the desert is a region of less rainfall and arid conditions. Furthermore, these regions are very low in precipitation and conditions here are very harsh with no vegetation. Most noteworthy, desert animals face many difficulties to survive here.

The temperature here rises up to 60 degree Celsius at day time, and it falls drastically at night. Desert areas are increasing all over the world due to the process of od desertification. Let us see in details about the adaptive capability of some desert animals.

Desert Animals: Thorny Desert Lizard

These are very small creatures of about 6 inches. We can see them in the deserts of Australia. Furthermore, they feed on the ants of the desert. Moreover, their body spikes help them to absorb water in arid conditions.

They have grooves which absorbs water from the dew overnight. Also, water on their body is drawn to their mouth by capillary action.

Desert Animals: Sidewinder Snake

We can see them in the deserts of southwestern America and northwestern Mexico. Furthermore, they got their name because of their unique way of moving sideways.

This helps them to move quickly in the loose and shifting sand. Moreover, during high temperature, they become nocturnal and remain active during the cooler part of the year.

Desert Animals: Mexican Coyotes

We can see them in the Sonoran deserts of Mexico, California, and Arizona. Moreover, coyotes use their large ears to keep their body cool. In desert conditions, they have good adaptation in their diet.

Furthermore, they feed on anything like insects, rodents, reptiles, cactus fruits and flowers. Also, they can live alone as well as in a group. This flexibility certainly allows them to survive in the desert successfully.

Desert Animals: Dung Beetles

Dung beetles are mostly found in the deserts of Australia and Africa. Furthermore, they feed on the dung of animals. Dung contains essential moisture required to survive in the dry land.

Moreover, they make balls of the dung and rolls them to their burrows. Most noteworthy, their exoskeleton reflects sunlight, preventing them from becoming too hot.

Desert Animals: Bactrian Camels

Camels are certainly the most famous desert animals. We can see Bactrian camels in the steppes of central Asia. Normally camels have one hump, Bactrian camels have two.

Camels store fat, which provides energy to camels during long treks. Furthermore, many people believe that camel hump contains water. However, this is not true.

Being such a big creature, they can even run on sand. That is because of their feet structure. Furthermore, their wide feet do not burrow down in the sand.

They do not sweat which helps them conserve water. Consequently, they can live without taking water for seven months. Their bushy eyebrows keep the sand away from eyes.

Desert Animals: Fennec Foxes

They are the inhabitants of Sahara desert of Africa. They have adapted themselves in the 104°F of Sahara desert. Like camels, they have thick fur on their soles which helps them in running.

Like other desert animals, they too are nocturnal. They feed on smaller animals like beetles and lizards.

Solved Question For You

Q- What is desertification and how to prevent it?

Ans:-  It is a process in which fertile land slowly turns into desert. The topsoil of land gets eroded, resulting in a lack of nutrient. This is caused mainly by drought and human activities.

We can prevent it in simple steps – planting grass and vegetation which will prevent soil erosion by wind and rain. Using less chemical fertilizer which degrades the soil. Storing rainwater which nourishes the soil by keeping the moisture.

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