Question

Name the animal which is called the ship of desert.

Answer 1

Hint:Some animals can adapt to extreme environmental conditions and survive. These animals have some unique adaptation features due to which their survival is possible.

Complete answer:
As deserts are extremely hot by day and are cold at night. Deserts receive very less rainfall also. Camels are known as the ship of desert.
Camels are well adapted to deserts as they have some characteristic features for adaptation.
>They have large, flat feet to spread their weight on the sand.
>They have the ability to survive without water for a long time as they lose very less water through urination and perspiration.
>They have the ability to tolerate body temperature upto 42°C.
>They have a large surface area of volume ratio to maximize heat loss.
>They have thick fur on the top of the body for shade and thin fur on the rest of the body to allow easy heat loss.
>They have slit-like nostrils and two rows of eyelashes to help keep out sand.
>Camels have thick lips so they can eat the prickly desert plants.
>Camels store fat in the lump. The fat during metabolism provides energy.
>Camel waste contains very less water.
>Camels have long necks to reach high trees.
>Also they have rubbery patches on the belly and knees to protect the skin when kneeling and sitting on the hot sand.
>Camels have long and strong legs, they help to carry load and keep their body further away from the hot sand.
>Hence, camels are known as ships of the desert as adaptations make them suitable to live in the desert. >Adaptations are special features that an organism is born with.

Note:Camels are herbivores, they eat desert vegetation. A camel can live many days without water and they can last for several months without water and food. They can drink approx. 40-45 litres of water at once.