Deserts are undoubtedly one of the harshest environments on earth but even in these barren wastelands life has continued to thrive. Creatures of the desert have developed freakishly weird adaptations to tackle these unforgiving environments. Read on to know more about 4 of these unique and highly adapted creatures and where to find them.
Camels
These gentle creatures are known as the ships of the desert. This metaphor has a distinctive reason and that is because camels have developed a number of adaptations in its body through years of evolution. Camels can go up to a week without water and a month without food and this is made possible because of their humps as they tend to store fat which will be metabolized when food is needed. Camels can be found in most of the deserts around the globe
Fennec fox
Fennec foxes are undoubtedly one of the cutest creatures of the desert. The fennec foxes are the smallest species of canid and are omnivores that feed on small rodents, insects and other small desert creatures. Fennec foxes have a distinctive and highly adapted set of ears and they are used to dissipate heat and for hearing the faintest sounds. Fennec foxes can be spotted in the African and the Arabian deserts and are more likely to be seen during desert safaris or if you are staying in a hotel in Wahiba Sands the likes of Desert Nights Camp.
Sidewinder rattlesnake
The sidewinder or horned rattlesnake is a venomous snake that can only be found in arid desert environments of North America. This is a snake which belongs to the viper family and a highly adapted predator. The sidewinder has developed a unique way of locomotion called as sidewinding through which it got its name. The snake also has a more coarse scaly skin to slither its way through the hot desert sand. This snake is highly venomous so it is recommended that you should stay away from these creatures even though you are tempted to see them close.
The thorny devil
The thorny devil is a lizard species that is endemic to Australia. The creature has developed a distinctive pattern of thorny appendages to its body that helps the lizard to capture and consume water droplets that occur momentarily in the desert atmosphere during dawn and dusk. The distinctive patterns and colours on devils body also provide excellent camouflage in order to protect itself from danger and to wait undetected to catch its prey.
Auburn Silver is a travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world. Google+
