DESSERT
A desert is a type of habitat characterised by extremely hot and dry weather during the day and cold weather at night. It receives very little rainfall throughout the year.
Adaptation in Animals
- A few animals found are camels, rats, vultures, spiders, beetles, and scorpions.
- Animals such as snakes and rats build underground burrows and stay there during the day to prevent themselves from the strong heat of the sun.
- The following are a few adaptations of the camel, also called "the ship of the desert".
- Long eyelashes and modified nostrils to protect the eyes and nose from blowing sand.
- Thick lips to help eat plants with thorns
- A hump on the back that stores fat as an energy source in case of starvation.
- Long legs and padded feet to protect the feet from the heat of the sand.
Adaptations in Plants
- Plant and trees found here are called xerophytes.A few examples of xerophytes are Acacia, cacti, babul, and khejri.
- The cactus plant is the most common plant found in the desert.The following are a few of its adaptations:
- Deep roots to absorb water from deep within the soil
- A green, thick and fleshy stem to store water and perform photosynthesis
- Leves modified to spines to prevent water loss through transaction
- Waxy coating on the surface to prevent water loss
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