Ecophysiology Of Desert Animals

Abstract

The principal environmental problems that confront both plants and animals in the desert are water shortage and flooding, thermal extremes, and the absence of cover. Adaptational responses to these include cryptobiosis, diapause, seasonal quiescence, water conservation, and the uptake of atmospheric moisture. The major avenues of water loss from animals are in transpiration, respiration and excretion. Both thermal extremes and predatory enemies are avoided by taking shelter in burrows, rock crevices, or shade, combined with nocturnal activity rhythms and various antipredator devices.