How do animals adapt themselves in desert vegetation?

The ability to adapt to arid conditions can mean the difference between life or death for animals and plants that live in the desert. read more

Plants have evolved many adaptions for surviving the rigors of the desert. There are three life-forms of plants that are adapted to desert ecosystem: a) ephemeral annuals, b) succulents, and c) desert shrubs. Ephemeral annuals are also called as ‘drought evaders’ or ‘drought escapers’. read more

The ability to adapt to arid conditions can mean the difference between life or death for animals and plants that live in the desert. Some animals burrow deep underground in the heat of the day, lie in the shade until late afternoon or early evening, or have evolved salt glands, which allow their bodies to secrete salt but not sweat so they retain water. read more

Thus, most of the animals in desert ecosystem rely on their behavioural, physiological and structural adaptations to avoid the desert heat and dryness. The drought evader animals adopt either a short annual life cycle that revolve around the scanty rains or undergo aestivation (e.g. ground squirrel). read more