List the ways of animals adapting to the cold climate,adapting to hot climate and adapting to hot and wet climate .
Answers
Hot and dry climates
Animals and plants may have specific features that adapt them to their environment. These include barbs and spines, poisons and warning colours that deter predators and herbivores. Some harmless species may even resemble a poisonous or dangerous species to increase their chances of survival.
The camel
single-humped camel in the desert
The camel is adapted to life in a hot climate
Camels live in deserts that are hot and dry during the day, but cold at night. They are well adapted for survival in the desert. Their adaptations include:
large, flat feet to spread their weight on the sand
thick fur on the top of the body for shade, and thin fur elsewhere to allow easy heat loss
a large surface area to volume ratio to maximise heat loss
the ability to go for a long time without water - they don't store water in their humps, but they lose very little through urination and sweating
the ability to tolerate body temperatures up to 42°C
slit-like nostrils and two rows of eyelashes to help keep sand out.
Desert plants
Cacti in the American desert
A cactus is adapted to life in a hot climate
Cacti are well adapted for survival in the desert. Their adaptations include:
stems that can store water
widespread root systems that can collect water from a large area.
In addition, cacti have spines instead of leaves. These minimise the surface area and so reduce water loss by transpiration. The spines also protect the cacti from animals that might eat them.