12 Desert Animals with Unique Survival Adaptations in Harsh Environments

Not all animals can live in harsh environments. With high temperatures and wildlife competition, living in the desert is not easy. Understanding how they survive can offer new insights into their existence and behavior.

Many animals have adapted to harsh environments with little or no water. Additionally, some, such as antelopes and camels, will do their best to find greener pastures to find potential. Despite their extreme environments, these animals living in the desert have found ways to live. Some don’t quickly lose water in their bodies, allowing them to survive.

1. Camels

SAUDI-DESERT-CAMEL — Camels! (Photo : Photo by FAYEZ NURELDINE/AFP via Getty Images)

Camels are popular desert animals, often seen in films. They are helpful in daily transportation in the desert, and they can trek and survive without having to rehydrate frequently.

2. Meerkats

Meerkats live in groups, sharing the responsibility of lookout duty and foraging for food. These social animals conserve energy and allow them to focus on survival in the harsh desert environment. Their water source is mainly from food, including insects, snakes, scorpions, roots, and tubers.

3. Sonoran Pronghorn

Next are Sonoran pronghorns. These animals are known to be able to live in harsh environments. They can consume plants that many other plant-eating animals, like cows, which include desert grass or even cacti. Their hairs play helpful in circulating heat during winter nights.

4. Jerboa

Jerboa prefers to burrow in the ground than other animals staying on land areas. In this way, they can live and keep away from extreme temperatures. These animals have special hairs to protect themselves from sand entering their ears. Additionally, the insects and vegetation have allowed them to survive.

5. Kahari Lion

Kalahari lions are considered top predators in the desert. These animals are recognized for their resilience in surviving in hotter temperatures. To meet their water needs, they hunt for prey.

6. African Bullfrog

Found in Africa, the African bullfrog lives by burrowing in the ground. While dormant, it stores its body’s moisture and water.

7. Ring-Tailed Cat

Known for being a nocturnal animal, the ring-tailed cat has ways to survive extreme habitats. The little water is enough for this animal to give them moisture and survive.

8. Desert bighorn sheep

Desert bighorn sheeps are known to survive for weeks without water consumption. With their horns, these animals can open cacti to consume their water.

9. Arabian Oryx

In the desert, finding water is challenging. In the case of the Arabian oryx, this animal has a pale coat that helps to reflect sunlight. In this way, the animal heat absorption is kept at minimal levels.

10. Costa’s Hummingbird

Costas hummingbird escapes the heat by traveling to cooler inhabitants. This species has ways to slow down its heart rate to conserve energy.

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11. Dessert Hedgehog

One of the unique species of the desert, the desert hedgehogs consume insects bird eggs, snakes, and scorpions. They can stay for an extended period without water.

12. Sand Cats

Like burrowing animals, sand cats have thick-furred paws and can tolerate temperatures of 23 to 126 degrees Fahrenheit.

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