Question

Organisms that live in desert and desert-scrub biomes have developed unique adaptations that aid in their survival. The Sahara Desert takes up ten percent of the continent of Africa, and is the largest desert in the world. The species that live in the Sahara are highly adapted to survive in the extreme conditions they live in. What morphological and physiological adaptations might be seen in the organisms that live in the Sahara Desert?

a.

water absorbing skin, large eyes for hunting at night, webbed feet


b.

light colored fur or feathers for camouflage, dense layer of fat and fur for warmth, hibernation during cold months


c.

small bodies and long limbs in warm-blooded organisms, light colored fur or feathers to reflect sunlight, lack of sweat glands in many organisms, hibernation during hot months


d.

dark colored fur or feathers for heat absorption, large bodies and short limbs, consumption of primarily scrub and short grasses

Answer 1

The answer is c. small bodies and long limbs in warm-blooded organisms, light colored fur or feathers to reflect sunlight, lack of sweat glands in many organisms, hibernation during hot months.

In the Sahara desert, a temperature could reach extreme values. It is extremely hot and sunny and animals must adapt in order to survive in such conditions.
The warm-blooded animals have small bodies and long limbs. The aim of longer limbs is to increase surface area through which body heat will be lost to the environment. Fur of feathers are light colored because lighter colors reflect the sunlight more efficiently. It is known that black color the most efficiently of all colors absorbs heat while white color most efficiently of all colors reflects the sunlight. Further, animals lack in sweat glands. If they do not sweat, less water will be lost from the body. Also, many species hibernate during hot months and thereby save energy.

Answer 2

The morphological and physiological adaptations that might be seen in the organisms that live in the Sahara Desert are small bodies and long limbs in warm-blooded organisms, light colored fur or feathers to reflect sunlight, lack of sweat glands in many organisms, hibernation during hot months.

Best answer choice: C)

I hope it helps, Regards.