Desert Animals

Introduction

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This chapter gives us a general overview of deserts. This also sheds light on the unique strategies used by various animal species in order to thrive in harsh environments. It emphasizes that the urge to survive is shared by all living things, while the strategies they use differ across species.

Summary with Explanation

The chapter opens by explaining that deserts are the driest regions on the planet. There are certain animal species that can live in the desert. To survive in the desert's harsh environment, they use a variety of strategies. Deserts are regions with little or no rainfall. As a result, they stay dry almost the whole year. Because of this, many desert creatures have unique adaptation strategies. While Gerbils seek refuge underground from the heat of the sun, Darkling Beetles utilise their legs to collect moisture droplets, which they subsequently consume to satisfy their thirst.

Deserts do not usually consist entirely of sand. There may be sparsely vegetated deserts made out of rocks and pebbles. In the spring, there are even colourful flowers in some deserts. The snake is a common animal that often inhabits deserts. Although there are more than 2300 different varieties of snakes, they vary in size from 15 centimetres, which is the smallest, to more than 11 metres, which is the longest. Most snakes are not dangerous. However, few are so lethal that just one bite will kill you. Although the majority of them reproduce by laying eggs, quite a few of them also give birth to their young. The rattlesnake is the one that is most often found in desert areas. It lives in the barren deserts of the Americas and is very poisonous. They are also found in Canada and Argentina and they feed on small animals such as mice, voles, rats, and chipmunks. It consumes its victim whole after killing it with its poison. It has the capacity to strike instantly. However, some species, such as pythons, may go a whole year or more without eating.

The rattlesnake is a shy animal while being a lethal one. It typically stays away from humans if it can, but when someone threatens it, it coils and prepares to bite. When disturbed, it holds its tail straight up and makes a rattling noise. This manner notifies of any potential threats or intrusions. It utilises its venom to kill and its tail to fend off dangers. It may be plainly heard from a distance of 30 metres away because of the rattling sound it makes. In spite of the fact that it is famous for, and even called after, the sound that it creates, this species is unable to hear the sound that it creates for itself. In reality, rattlesnakes can only detect vibrations; they cannot hear.

The mongoose is another animal that lives in deserts. This species, which is mostly found in Africa, hunts and travels in packs of up to twenty, and it feeds on millipedes and beetles as its primary prey. They love to hunt in packs. However, to remain vigilant against dangerous predators they make a special alarm call to alert one another If they see something odd. All female mongooses give birth at almost the same time, and they keep their babies safe in termite mounds or hollow logs of wood. These places are protected by one or two male mongooses. When they sense any indications of danger, mongooses communicate with one another via calling and twittering. The Mongoose is a quick and smart animal that can keep dodging the snake until it gets tired, at which point the mongoose kills it.

The Camel is another desert animal. Camels dwell in groups of around thirty. A camel has the capacity to consume thirty litres of water at once. However, in dry climates where there is little access to water, this animal gets hydrated by consuming desert plants and can last up to 10 months without water. Camels can live for months without water because of their humps, which store fat. Camels with two humps are known as Bactrian camels, whereas those with one hump are known as Dromedary camels. During the summer, the animal's hairy coat is shorter and tidier to keep it cool while the hairy coat on its skin serves to keep the animal warm during colder months.

Conclusion

The tutorial on the chapter ‘Desert animals’ describes the way of life of the creatures that live there. The chapter's conclusion states that each desert animal has evolved specific defenses against harsh weather. Their coping strategies also aid in keeping them safe from other animals.

Additionally, it helps the students to comprehend how they are able to endure the hostile desert environment. All in all, it tells us that we must also have the ability to adapt to the circumstances that arise in our lives.

FAQs

Q1. How do you define or describe a desert? Name some common desert animals. How do they survive?

Ans. Deserts are the driest regions on the planet with little or no rainfall. As a result, they stay dry almost the whole year. It is mostly sandy, with hardly any water or vegetation. Still, some animals are found there.

However, some common desert animals are camels, gerbils, beetles, snakes, and mongooses. These creatures have developed their own unique strategies for surviving the severe environment. Burrows are home to several creatures (holes). Camels have long, thick coats for the winter and shorter, tidier coats during the summer to keep themselves cool.

Q2. What information about snakes do you get in the lesson Desert Animals?

Ans. Various species of snake exist. About 2300 different species of snakes exist. They vary in size from 15 centimetres, which is the smallest, to more than 11 metres, which is the longest. Most snakes are not dangerous. However, few are so lethal that just one bite will kill you. Although the majority of them reproduce by laying eggs, quite a few of them also give birth to their young. The rattlesnake is the one that is most often found in desert areas. It lives in the barren deserts of the Americas and is very poisonous. However, some species, such as pythons, may go a whole year or more without eating.

Q3. What does the author tell about mongooses?

Ans. Mongooses are very amusing animals to watch. This species, which is mostly found in Africa, hunts and travels in packs of up to twenty, and it feeds on millipedes and beetles as its primary prey. They love to hunt in packs. However, to remain vigilant against dangerous predators they make a special alarm call to alert one another If they see something odd.

All female mongooses give birth at almost the same time, and they keep their babies safe in termite mounds or hollow logs of wood. These places are protected by one or two male mongooses. When they sense any indications of danger, mongooses communicate with one another via calling and twittering. The Mongoose is a quick and smart animal, they are famous snake killers they can keep dodging the snake until it gets tired, at which point the mongoose kills it.

Qns 4. What are the two different kinds of camels?

Ans: The Dromedary camel, which has a single hump, and the Bactrian camel, which has two humps, are two different kinds of camels.

Q5. Where are the rattlesnakes found in the world?

Ans: The rattlesnakes are very dangerous and are found across the American continent from Canada to Argentina.