How have animals adapted to the desert?

Few animals have adapted to survive the hottest desert regions besides scorpions and small reptiles. In areas with a greater supply of water, the level of biodiversity increases as vegetation such as shrubs, cacti and hardy trees form the foundation of a more extensive food web. As deserts are found in most continents, different consumer species have evolved to survive the harsh desert environment.

How have camels adapted to the desert?

A family of camels in the Thar Desert

Camels have been domesticated for at least 3500 years and have long been valued as pack animals. They can carry large loads 25 miles a day. Camels have adapted to survive hot deserts because they:

• have humps to store fat which a camel can break down into water and energy when nourishment is not available;
• rarely sweat, even in hot temperatures so when they do take in fluids they can conserve them for long periods of time;
• have large, tough lips enable them to pick at dry and thorny desert vegetation;
• have broad, flat, leathery feet to spread their weight and provide protection from hot sand; 
• lose little water through urination and perspiration; and
• have slit-like nostril and two rows of eyelashes to protect themselves from the sand.

How have fennec foxes adapted to the desert?

A family of fennec foxes

The fennec fox is the smallest of all fox species. They are found in the Sahara Desert and elsewhere in North Africa. They are nocturnal which helps them deal with the heat of the desert environment. They have also made some physical adaptations help as well. For example, they:

• have thick fur on feet protecting them from the hot ground;
• have large, bat-like ears radiate body heat and help keep them cool;
• have long, thick hair that insulates them during cold nights and protects them from the hot sun during the day;
• have light coloured fur to reflect sunlight and keep their bodies cools. 

How have kangaroo rats adapted to the desert?

A kangaroo rat

A kangaroo rat is a rodent that is found in desert areas in south-western North America. Desert kangaroo rats live in areas with loose sand, often dune terrain. Kangaroo rats have made a number of adaptations to enable them to survive in the desert, including:

• getting moisture from their seed diet;
• living in burrows during the day to avoid extreme heat;
• having large back legs that allow them to jump almost 3m to avoid predators;
• having large ears, which enables them to hear approaching predators.