How do animals and plants survive in the desert?

There are many kinds of deserts such as snow deserts, and dry deserts. But when we speak of deserts, we mostly mean the dry deserts. These are stone, debris, or sand deserts that have impressive dunes. These types of deserts are characterized by high temperature differences between day and night. There are sandstorms that threaten humans and animals. Animals and plants must adapt themselves to be able to survive in the this harsh environment. Some insects, like beetles, and some animals, like antelopes, have developed special tricks so that they are able to withstand thirst.

How can cacti live with very little water?

cacti have an outer waxy layer and their leaves have evolved into thorns to prevent evaporation of water. In the morning, their thorns and the outer waxy layer are also able to absorb dewdrops. They store water in their bodies and roots and consume it slowly. The Saguaro cactus, a ribbed column cactus in the Mexico desert, fills itself up completely when it rains heavily and expands like and accordion.

Can the desert really bloom?

Yes, when it rains after years in the desert, the seeds lying dormant in the ground germinate immediately, and the desert becomes a bed of flowers. The splendor, however, is short-lived. After a few days the plants wither again-but not before creating new seeds, which wait for the next time it rains. Rainfall in the desert often lead to devastating floods because the barren land can barely absorb any water. The water flows off the surface and the small rivulets grow very rapidly to become wide, torrential rivers.