Page 2 - 2. Lesson notes - Adaptations for Terrestrial Habitats - Desert

FEATURES OF ANIMALS IN DESERT-

KANGAROO RAT-

• Animals such as rats and snakes spend the hot days inside the burrows and
under the ground to escape the heat, which keeps them cool.
• Kangaroo rats live in burrows which keep them cool, usually come out at
night, when the temperature is low.
• They do not need to drink much water since water is produced inside its body
during the oxidation of food.
• In desert food such as seeds, generally have lots of water stored in them,
which helps them to provide water.
CAMEL

• A camel is also called the ship of the desert.
• It has long and thick eyelashes, that prevent sand from entering the eyes.
• It has thickly padded feet that enable it to walk on the sand.
• A camel can drink an enormous amount of water at a time. (120 liters), that
can last for a long time.
• The hump of the camel stored fat that is gradually used up during a long
journey. As fats get used the hump reduces in size. It regains its original
shape after the camel eats food again.
• It has an exceptionally long, large intestine to absorb all the water from the
food that it eats.
• It has thick skin to keep the heat away. To conserve water, a camel does not
sweat but passes out highly concentration urine in minimal quantity.