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Desert plants lie dormant during the dry
and cool seasons, or drop only those seeds that can survive such
periods. At the time of growth, the seeds germinate and give
birth to plants that will quickly flower and produce more seeds.
Therefore, they guarantee that the species will exist for more time.
After a few weeks or months, they are ready to go into dormancy once
again.
Considering animals, they too are quite
strong in that they are able to go without water for long stretches
of time, until they reach some water hole. The best example is that
of the camel or what has been named the 'Ship of the Desert.'
The camel has padded feet that allow it to walk on sand, a large
water-storing stomach, huge humps of fat that serve as energy-stores
and nostrils that can keep sand out during fierce sand storms.
Other animals can survive without drinking
any water, since they get their liquids from the sap of food plants
and night dew left on stones and leaves. These are a few
ways in which nature has helped animals and plants adapt to severe
living conditions. |
