Learning Objectives
- Learn about animals that live in deserts and their adaptations
- Understand how desert animals survive extreme heat and lack of water
- Identify special features of camels, snakes, mongooses, and other desert animals
- Practise reading comprehension and vocabulary skills
Key Concepts
About the Chapter
This is an informational chapter that describes how different animals survive in the harsh desert environment. Deserts are extremely hot during the day, very cold at night, and have very little water. Yet many animals thrive there because of their amazing adaptations.
Desert Environment
Deserts are dry, sandy regions with very little rainfall. Daytime temperatures can be extremely high, and nights can be very cold. Water is scarce. Despite these harsh conditions, many animals have adapted to survive in the desert by developing special features and behaviours.
The Camel
The camel is called the "ship of the desert" because it is the main means of transport in desert areas. Camels can survive without water for many days. They store fat (not water) in their hump, which provides energy when food is scarce. Their long eyelashes protect their eyes from sand. Their wide, padded feet help them walk on sand without sinking. They can close their nostrils to keep out sand during sandstorms.
Desert Snakes
Many snakes live in deserts. They avoid the heat by staying underground or in the shade during the day and coming out at night. Some snakes, like the rattlesnake, sense the heat of other animals to find prey in the dark. Snakes can survive without food for long periods.
The Mongoose
Mongooses live in burrows in the desert. They are known for their ability to fight snakes. They are quick, agile, and brave. Mongooses are active during the day and eat insects, snakes, and other small animals.
Other Desert Animals
Desert Rats (Kangaroo Rats): They do not need to drink water at all! They get all the moisture they need from the seeds they eat. They stay in cool underground burrows during the day.
Beetles: Some desert beetles collect water from morning fog on their bodies.
Lizards: Desert lizards bask in the sun to warm up and hide in burrows when it gets too hot.
Common Survival Strategies
Most desert animals are active at night (nocturnal) to avoid daytime heat. Many live in underground burrows where it is cooler. They have developed ways to conserve water and tolerate high temperatures. Their bodies are specially designed for the harsh desert climate.
Important Terms
- Desert: A dry region with very little rainfall and extreme temperatures
- Adaptation: A special feature or behaviour that helps an animal survive in its environment
- Nocturnal: Active during the night
- Burrow: An underground tunnel or hole where animals live
- Hump: The raised lump on a camel's back (stores fat)
- Camouflage: Blending with the surroundings to avoid being seen
- Survive: To continue to live despite difficult conditions
Quick Revision
- Deserts are hot, dry, and have very little water
- Camel: stores fat in hump, wide feet, long eyelashes, can close nostrils
- Snakes: hide during the day, hunt at night, can go without food for long
- Mongoose: lives in burrows, fights snakes, active during the day
- Kangaroo rats: never drink water, get moisture from seeds
- Most desert animals are nocturnal to avoid daytime heat
- Many desert animals live in underground burrows where it is cooler