Final answer:
Kangaroo rats maintain their body temperature at night through behavioral adaptations like nesting underground during the day and physiological mechanisms such as efficient kidneys and the ability to generate metabolic heat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kangaroo rats are interesting examples of how animals maintain their body temperature in harsh environments. Despite being active during the cooler night temperatures of the desert, they use several physiological and behavioral adaptations. They sleep in underground nests during the day to avoid the heat, and at night, their adaptive behaviors and physiological traits such as having very efficient kidneys kick in. These kidneys help in producing concentrated urine, minimizing water loss, and effectively maintaining their body temperature.
Furthermore, similar to other endothermic organisms, they are capable of generating metabolic heat to regulate their body temperature when it gets cooler at night. This may involve shivering or using energy reserves to produce heat, thus allowing them to stay active and forage for food. These adaptations are crucial for their survival in an environment with extreme temperature fluctuations.