Question

Four types of dormancy that occur in members of the animal kingdom are diapause, hibernation, torpor, and aestivation. Classify the following characteristic to the type of dormancy in which it occurs.

occurs in response to hot, dry conditions

Answer 1

Estivation is a state of dormancy animals enter in response to hot, dry environments, causing them to reduce activity, conserve water, and achieve homeostasis until conditions improve.

Step-by-step explanation:

The characteristic of dormancy that occurs in response to hot, dry conditions is called estivation. During estivation, an animal such as a lizard would exhibit significant changes in behavior. The lizard's metabolic processes slow down to conserve water and energy. It may seek shelter underground or in a shady place to avoid the heat and reduce water loss. Instead of being active and foraging for food, the lizard enters a state of inactivity and remains in one place for an extended period until the conditions become more favorable.

Just like hibernation supports survival in cold conditions, estivation is a survival strategy during hot and arid periods. It represents a period of dormancy where the animal deliberately reduces its normal activity and enters a state of torpor to conserve resources. By doing so, the estivating animal achieves homeostasis even under hostile environmental conditions.