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A desert is vast level stretch of drifting sand, devoid of vegetation except in the rare cases and peopled by camel and the venturous of humidity.

The desert does not imply sterlity but simply the possession of a rainless climate, where drought may be said to be almost continuous.

In desert the struggle for existence is exceedingly severe because food, safety and continuity of generation three great needs of organic race are in danger of being lost in open fields with adverse climate. In desert the prime conditions of life for existence are:

1. Moisture getting

The prime requirement of the desert form is to have sufficient supply of moisture. In the desert, there is scarcity of water, therefore, there is need of not only water-getting but also of effectively conserving it. Animals get their water supply mainly from the juice of the food, whether plant sap or blood of prey.

Many desert forms entirely depend on such a source and they never drink water, even if it is available. The skin of some of the animals such as Australian Lizard (Moloch) absorbs water like blotting paper. Its surface is covered by thorn-like scales.

2. Moisture Conservation

In animals there are various ways of water conservation. In camels, developed water cells in its walls. There are closed by a sphincter muscle. When the animal drinks water than the cavities are filled and this water is used later.

3. Avoidance of Evaporation

Animals conserve water by non-perspiring.

4. Defence

The desert animals unprovoked with additional garment to protect them from sun, seek out shadow of a great rock or if none is available, it must burrow and thus escape the extreme of heat and cold. In digging species of reptiles, the nostrils are directed upward instead of forward.

The nostrils of snakes are provided with valves or they reduced to pin holes. The nostrils of snakes are provided with valves or they reduced to pin holes. The nostrils of camel are capable of being closed like eyelids.

The eye-lids are greatly enlarged or may be modified into windo- like window which cover the eye. The eyes of camel are guarded by long eyelashes. The eyes of Typhlops (burrowing snake) are overhung by head shields.

The ear openings are either small or protected by fringes or scales or they may be abolished.

Hard surface and spinoscence are as characteristic of desert reptiles (Molach, Phrynosoma etc.).

Venom is a desert adaptation. Almost all the reptiles have poison in fang or sting. All the spider family are poisonous and almost everyone of them is represented here.

Speed is characteristic of the dwelling in arid climate far they have to travel far and wide for food and drink or to pursue or evade pursuit. In camel, the broad pad and secondary retrogression to digitigrade are fitted to move on sand.

Sense of light, hearing and smell are highly developed.

Intelligence is also an important characteristic of desert adapted animals.

Gazelle resembles the general colouring of the surrounding.