Desert ecosystems are habitats with very extreme weather conditions and water or food are very scarce, however, there are many animals that live there. Have you asked yourself How do desert animals live? Find out right here.
Desert animals
Animal species abound throughout the planet earth, you can find them in any nation in all the varied ecosystems that exist, from cold to hot, with lush or scarce vegetation, with very varied food sources and although it is difficult to believe , there are also in those spaces where the survival of any living being is a real feat.
There are many ecosystems cataloged by man as very complicated spaces for coexistence, this is because the climatic conditions are very extreme, as it can be in the arctic poles, where every day of the year is extremely cold and wherever you go there is snow, These spaces are rarely inhabited by the human species, and even in these places there is a large number of animal species.
However, we want to talk specifically about another ecosystem in which the survival situation for any organism is very complicated, not only because of the climate, but also because the sources of water and food are very scarce, we are referring specifically to the desert and the animals that live there.
El Desert ecosystem it is a biome with a very hot climate, with very dry soils and few nutrients, this is the reason that the vegetation is very limited and that the perspective one has on them is that they are only mountains of sand with one or another tree scattered around.
This idea is very wrong, because despite all the characteristics that the desert has and that make it a sparsely inhabited place, there is a very generous variety of animal species, that is, although it is not as abundant as in other biomes, it is even broader than many suppose.
Although the stay in the deserts is difficult for any organism, there are many animals that live in these spaces. All these species have unique features that allow them to attach to these places, so that they can survive long periods of heat and without getting food or water, or getting it in ways that are not usual for any other species.
Desert Animal Conditions
As we mentioned before, life in deserts is very complicated and the circumstances that all the species that live there have to go through are pressing, they must not only endure the sun that makes when the sun is reflected in its maximum splendor, but also endure also the low temperatures at night, which can even reach 0°C.
Any of the ways that exist for animals to get food are almost useless, since in addition to the fact that plants are very scarce, almost none have fruits that can feed herbivores and those that feed on other living beings do not either. They have it easy, because they have to conserve what little strength they have left to have a chance of surviving the days to come.
Since water is very scarce in these environments and temperatures during the day are very high, many of these animals are forced to leave through the Nightlife In order to find the nutrients they need to survive and during the day, they must take refuge in their homes and endure until the high temperatures have passed. Adding to this, many must adapt their bodies to retain the liquids they manage to get from time to time.
Adaptive Qualities of Desert Animals
It is undoubtedly incredible all the peculiarities that these animals possess and that allow them to resist conditions that not many animals are capable of and not to mention the human being, who is also a species that is very scarce in these biomes and it is precisely because of the conditions already mentioned above, because although there are many who are able to withstand the conditions, it will not be for a very long time.
Some animals that move by day are the ones that have the knack of moving fast enough to avoid scorching under the blazing rays of the scorching sun. There are mammals that have the ability to hide in the sand to protect themselves from the sun, the best thing about this is that their eyes are conditioned not to get hurt by the sand that gets into them.
There is also a specific species of insects that can take the mist from the environment into their bodies, all this in order to take the few drops of water they can get from it.
These animals have entrenched glands, which allow the body to store the substances and secretions that are necessary and that can help them resist the conditions to which they are exposed.
What are the Animals in the Desert?
The desert animals They do not correspond to a specific class, they range from mammals and birds, to reptiles and other animals with adaptable characteristics that some families of these could be found in other parts of the world.
characteristics of desert animals They are very varied, however, there are traits that all these different species share, such as the long period of time in which they can survive without drinking liquids, the color of their bodies gives them an advantage when moving in these environments and the resistance to very high temperatures.
Mammals
The species of mammals that live in the desert have very thick fur or skin, this serves to store fat and be able to burn it when food is scarce, this fat will serve to provide the body with enough energy to resist the seasons of hunger and thirst.
There are carnivorous and herbivorous quadrupeds, both predators and prey strive to survive in these biomes that are so demanding for any living being.
Herbivores live in small holes that open in the ground, which are large enough to protect the entire herd, all depending on the size of each animal and the group as a whole, this protects them from the sun and the hunters that may be around the environments.
Although it should also be noted that when it comes to predators that have a size similar to that of the prey, it is often difficult to completely protect the home and they need to take care of the hiding place in groups to be able to defend themselves.
Some species of mammalian animals more characteristic can be the following:
- Camels: They are distinctive of inhabiting these biomes, when you think of camels they automatically evoke images of the desert in your mind, and vice versa. It is known by very few people that their distinctive humps serve to store fat, this precisely to obtain energy and to withstand long periods of exercise. Drought and hungry.
Its long fur in specific areas of its body such as eyes and ears prevents the earth from entering them and disorienting them.
They are well known for being also many famous stories of which they are participants, in addition to being like transportation in the desert, since ancient times they were used as a means of transportation to move from one city to another.
Even today they are exploited for being so characteristic of these spaces, because if you go to places like Mongolia, the United Arab Emirates or Egypt, this means of transport is very common in tourist guides.
- Coyote: These quadrupeds are physically similar to domestic animals, except for the fact that they are dangerous predators for smaller animals, especially if they are in packs.
They are animals that can be found in several different ecosystems and environments, all thanks to their great ability to condition themselves to both cold and hot environments, capable of hunting any species that does not exceed them in size. They can even be found near some city located in wooded and desert places.
- Gazelle: They are nocturnal animals, they go out to look for food just after the sun goes down and finish just before they leave, to avoid having an encounter with a predator, in addition to having a very sharp sense of hearing, which allows them to perceive sounds. very easily and escape if necessary.
They are very apt to survive in desert ecosystems, especially due to their ability to collect the liquid that their bodies need from food. Observations have been made that speculate that they could last a lifetime without drinking water.
They are found in Africa, more specifically in the Sahara Desert and it is a species that is currently threatened.
- Dingo: They are most common in the arid deserts of Australia, but can also be seen in many Asian countries thanks to their ability to adapt to different environments and ecosystems.
They move in very large herds, they can even get together in several groups to facilitate their work when hunting, but they always have to be with herds from their environment, since when they take over a place they do not like to move to another, they will Do your best to defend your own space.
There are very few cases in which an individual of the herd decides to move away and wander alone, however, it is very difficult for these individuals to survive alone for a long time.
- Oryx: They are native to the African Continent and can be found in several deserts of nations located in this place, they can feed on grass and almost any plant that is located in these ecosystems.
They can easily adapt to deserts because, like gazelles, they can get the water they need from the grasses they feed on, as well as the amazing ability to moderate their body temperature whenever they want, all this in order to withstand the blazing heat. climate through which they move.
No matter how limited food is in deserts, they benefit from the small spaces where they can get grass and get all their food needs from there.
Birds
Unlike many species of birds that are distributed in different parts of the world, in the desert they do not take advantage of their wings to fulfill the function of flying, which is the most appropriate, but rather, these serve to store the water they can find. or the sweat that their bodies give off due to the sun and the heat, this is what most favors them to cope with the conditions that are experienced in the desert.
Since the food source is few, many birds must survive on whatever they find, even if it is the decomposed remains of the body of some other animal or larvae and insects. They are rarely seen hunting, since this requires a lot of physical effort and they prefer to retain their strength, in this way they survive longer.
- Peregrine falcon: This species is within the group of Raptors, that means that it is a born predator and it is for this reason (in addition to other qualities), that they are very adaptable to different environments. This specific species also receives the title of the fastest in flight, this favors it in many ways when it comes to moving and obtaining food.
In addition to all this, the peregrine falcon has very sharp eyesight that is capable of detecting its prey at long distances, something that many birds are not capable of doing.
- Red Neck Ostrich: They can be easily found in the deserts of Africa, it is one of the fastest birds located in this area and is also cataloged as one of the largest in the entire planet, surpassing humans and many large mammals by height.
They get their name from having a pinkish-red plumage on different parts of the body, especially on the neck and legs. Unfortunately, it is a bird that is in danger of extinction, this is due to the strong deterioration that has occurred in different regions where they lived and also because man has classified it as a game bird.
- Roadrunner: This famous species is very distinctive for living in the deserts of North America, like other animals, they have the ability to obtain all the liquid they need through their food and also have the ability to discard the fluids they store in their body by a drop of water that is secreted from the eye.
Insects
Although the conditions are difficult, the desert also has a wide variety of insects, larvae, spiders and other species. Like other animals, these species conform and adapt to the life they must lead, living from day to day and hoping to survive another season.
Their bodies are trained to employ some methods that protect them from predators that may be on the prowl, in addition to being able to withstand the scorching heat without being really affected.
On the other hand, spiders and scorpions are ready at any moment to inject their venom into any animal that wants to devour them. They may be small animals, but in the same instance they are very dangerous.
- Emperor Scorpion: They come from Africa, although their commercialization has had a great increase since people adopt them as collection animals, so their dispersion has been seriously affected.
Known as one of the species of scorpions that have a larger size compared to others and although they do not have a poison that is so lethal, they do have a good attack that stuns the enemy for a long period of time.
- Desert Locust: This particular species presents a huge disadvantage for the environment, especially for the human population, since its extreme voracity can destroy an entire crop and from there move on to another, and then another, all this because they are not able to satiate themselves never.
They are native to Africa and Asia, but over the years they have been able to move to many parts of the world, all thanks to their devastating qualities and good adaptation capabilities that allow them to adapt to almost any environment.
reptiles
Although from a distant perspective, these animals may be disadvantaged by the closeness of their bodies to the heat of the sand and their slow mobility exposes them for longer to the burning rays of the sun, the truth is that their bodies have a high resistance to The high temperatures.
Their bodies can be easily hidden and confused with the environment, thus they can not be detected with the naked eye and this gives them an advantage over their prey or possible predators. They get their food from others desert animals, which are usually smaller, such as rodents or the young of another animal.
- Varanids: It corresponds to various species of lizards, they are mostly located in Africa, although due to smuggling and commercialization of species, many of these have been transferred to different parts of the world.
They hibernate for six months starting around September and they are fierce animals that do not hesitate to defend themselves when attacked. They can obtain food from a wide variety of species that can also be found in the desert.
- Desert Viper: They are very lethal thanks to the fact that they have a very powerful poison that can kill many animals or, in the best of cases, cause them a lot of pain. They are very skilled when it comes to hunting, they are quiet and fast, which gives them an advantage over their prey and allows them to capture them when they are careless.
They have a particular way of crawling on the ground, which allows them to move faster and reduce the effects of heat on the body, they can also hide under the sand to escape the sun.
