How do the plants and animals survive in the desert?

In order to retain water, desert animals burrow into moist earth to absorb water into their bodies, or they obtain moisture through the food they eat. Desert animals obtain water from water-retaining plants such as cactus and succulents. They also live in moisture-sealed burrows where they can recycle the moisture from their own breath. read more

Succulents are plants that have adaptations to store water in their leaves, stems and roots. They include all cacti as well as some non-cactus plants found in the desert, including aloe, agave and elephant trees. Opening the stoma of the leaf of a plant allows it to take in the carbon dioxide needed for photosynthesis but also makes the plant susceptible to losing water. Scientists classify many desert dwelling plants as CAM plants. read more

By Laurie Brenner; Updated April 17, 2018 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