Question

Which animal is called the ship of the desert?
1. Horse
2. Yak
3. Camel
4. Deer

Answer 1

Hint: Deserts are places with extreme climatic conditions. Most of the deserts on Earth are hot deserts. However, cold deserts can be found as well. There is little moisture or water available. The soil found there is also extremely dry and devoid of any moisture. So, an animal that can traverse such a region and can be used for transportation and other productive purposes, is to be called the ship of the desert.

Complete answer: Let us look at the options one by one:
1.Horse: Except Antarctica, horses can be found on every continent and in almost every habitat. However, deserts are not especially suited to them. They prefer plains, prairies and steppes. They need access to fresh water constantly for survival. Thus, horse is not the answer.
2.Yak: Yaks live in places which are mostly dominated by plateaus and mountains. The soil of places where they reside generally has a thick grass cover, and are not barren. Thus, this is an incorrect option.
3.Camel: Camels are found in desert areas. They have padded feet which help them walk speedily over the sand of deserts. They can withstand high temperatures without sweating. They have double eyelashes that protect their eyes from sandstorms. They also have a hump on their back. They use it to store water that they can use over longer periods of time. Thus, camels are called the ship of the desert. Hence, this is the correct option.
4.Deer: Deers are suited to a variety of environments, but they are best suited in forests. They are not at all apt for deserts. Hence, this is a wrong option.

Therefore, option 3 is the correct answer.


Note: Due to the advantages that camels possess in the natural conditions of deserts, they are used extensively for carrying both humans and goods over distances in desert areas. This is the reason why they are known as the ship of the desert.