Question

Write a short note on the effect of temperature or water scarcity and the adaptations of animals.

Answer 1

1. Temperature is the most important ecological factor, and Earth’s average temperature varies from place to place. These temperature variations affect the distribution of animals on the Earth.
2. Animals that can tolerate a wide range of temperatures are called eurythermals, while those that can accept only a narrow range of temperatures are called stenothermal animals.
3. Animals undergo adaptations to suit their natural habitats. For example, animals from colder regions have shorter ears and limbs to prevent heat loss from their bodies.
4. Animals found in polar regions have thick layers of fat beneath their skin and dense fur coats to prevent heat loss.
5. Some organisms exhibit behavioural changes to suit their natural habitat. These adaptations in behaviour help them escape environmental stresses and are called behavioural adaptations.
6. Desert lizards are ectotherms, meaning they do not have an internal temperature-regulating mechanism to escape temperature variations.
7. These lizards bask in the sun during the early hours when the temperature is cool and burrow inside the sand as the temperature rises to escape the scorching heat.
8. A similar burrowing strategy is seen in other desert animals to protect themselves from high temperatures.
9. Water scarcity is another factor that forces animals to adapt to survive in their habitat.
10. Animals living in deserts, such as kangaroo rats, lizards, and snakes, are well adapted to survive in arid conditions.
11. The kangaroo rat found in the deserts of Arizona never drinks water and conserves water by concentrating its urine.
12. Desert lizards and snakes bask in the morning sun when cool and burrow into the sand as the temperature rises to escape the day’s heat.
13. These adaptations help animals maintain their body functions efficiently under extreme temperature or water stress conditions.