- What does
- What does
- Name two types of adaptations.
- What is one physical adaptation of a cactus?
- What is special about cactus spines that make them better than leaves?
- How can wind be damaging to the cactus plant?
- How can the sun be damaging to the cactus plant?
- What physical adaptation prevents those two problems from happening?
- Name two parts of the cactus that help it to obtain water.
- What part of the cactus plant is used for storage?
- What do desert herbivores eat?
- What do desert carnivores eat?
- If there is no water hole nearby, what are two ways a desert herbivore can get water?
- How does a carnivore get water in the dry desert?
- How can an animal survive in the driest season when little food is available?
- Name two physcial adaptations of animals that live in the desert.
- How do light colors help desert animals?
- What does camouflage mean?
- Name a behavioral adaptation.
- What does crepuscular mean?
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Wildlife in the Desert
The word adapt means to adjust, or to change, to fit a new situation. Plants and animals are able to adapt, or adjust, to their habitat when it is very cold or extrememl hot. They are able to adapt when the climate of the habitat is very dry or exceedingly wet.
An adaptation is the change, or adjustment made by the plant or animal which increases its chance of survival in its environment. There are two types of adaptations; physical adaptations and behavioral adaptations. A physical adaptation can be a part of the plant or animal that has evolved in a certain species over time to enable it to survive better. A behavioral adaptation is a behavior or action that an organism does or uses to help it survive better.
Desrt plants have survived in many ways. Cacti have spines, which are also called needles or thorns. Spines are modified leaves, or leaves that have changed. Spines do not dry out. Spines deter herbivores from consuming this plant. Thousands of spines create thousands of little bits of shade on itself to protect it from the sun's heat. This plant loses more water on the side facing the sun, so some cacti grow towards the south to prevent sunburn and water loss. Spines also protect the cactus plant by preventing the wind from causing too much evaporation. Spines catch the morning dew which then drops down to the soil just below the plant. When it rains, spines collect rain drops, too.
 | Cactus spines grow in clusters producing thousands of shadows. |
Since it rains so rarely, a cactus must have a way to save the water it gets and it must obtain as much water as possible. The roots of a cactus plant are close to the top of the soil. Almost as soon as water hits the ground, the roots will soak it up. The stem of the plant can store enough water to last for two years or more. Other plants produce seeds that stay in the soil but do not germinate, or grow, until conditions are just right and there is enough water. Some plants have a waxy covering on the leaves and stem to keep water inside the plant reducing water loss. Other plants have "hairs" that reflect the sun's rays. There are plants that shed their leaves when water is scare so that water cannot evaporate from them. Many plants are well adapted for their arid desert climate.
 | Jackrabbits have unusually large ears. Large ears are an adaptation that help it to survive in the desert. |
Aniamls have also survived in a variety of ways in the desert. Most animals in the desert are herbivores. Herbivores eat desert plants and seeds. Some animals store food for later in a safe place and other animals store fat in their tails to use as energy later. Desert animals may find water at water holes. For some animals, the morning dew is enough. Some predators receive enough liquid by eating its prey and some herbivores obtain enough water from the plants they eat.
One physcial adaptation of desert animals that help them to survive is coloring. Many desert animals are a light color. Light colors stay cooler in hot conditions because light colors reflect the sun's energy while dark colrs absorb the sun's energy. This light color can also help the animals blend in with the desert sands, or camouflage, making it harder for predators to see their prey.
Another physcial adaptation of desert animals is the size of their ears. Large ears are important to enable them to hear their prey better in order to find a meal in the dark, or at night. The large ears of prey also warn them of nearby predators. In addtion, the more ear, the more blood vessels, which helps move heat out of the animals' bodies keeping them cooler.
Desert creatures often have behavioral adaptations as well. Many aniamls are nocturnal, active at night, searching for food when the night air is cooler. Or they are crepuscular, active in the early morning, finding food before the temperature rises. Many animals are well adapted for desert living.
Plant Study Questions
Animal Study Questions
PHOTO GALLERY
 | The color of the Kit Fox blends in with its habitat. |
| Kangaroo Rats put food away to prepare for times when food is scarce. |  |
A Gila Monster stores fat in its tail. |