Question

Describe the characteristics and examples of aquatic and desert animals?

Answer 1

Any morphological, behavioural or physiological aspect of the organism that ensures the survival of the organism and reproduces in that habitat is termed as adaptation. These are the adjustments to cope with extreme environmental conditions.

Complete answer:
Desert areas are generally where there is either shortage or absence of external any source of water. These animals generally do not perspire in order to conserve water. They have very long limbs that protect them from the ground heat. They also pass a small amount of urine. Various Animals respond differently to it.
For eg- The kangaroo rat in North American deserts has been capable of meeting its water needs by internal fat oxidation due to which water is obtained as a by-product. It also concentrates its urine in order to reduce volume of water for excretory products removal.
Desert lizards show behavioural response to survive and maintain their body temperature. Some of the species have the ability to burrow and escape from ground heat.
Camels drink large amounts of water and can store in the body and live without water for a week.
Aquatic animals have streamlined bodies that help them to swim in water. The fins, slippers also serve the function of swimming. Streamline body offers very less resistance. Their body is covered with scales. These animals have gills as their respiratory organ that helps them to respire in water by making dissolved oxygen available to them.
For eg- Presence of nostrils helps in breathing as in dolphins.

Note:
Gradual physiological adjustments of the organism in response to the slowly changing new environment conditions is known as acclimatisation. Desert animals basically focus on minimal water use adjustments whereas aquatic animals make adjustments to survive in extreme water conditions.