Designer Animal Project
Eduardo Marcos, Sunny Singh, and Austin Rath
Environment
Animal
Adaptations
Sistrurus Forsiendo
The size of this animal has remained the same throughout its evolution, about three fifths of meter long. The digging snake eats species of lizards and mice which live in its environment. Its orange like skin allows the snake to blend in with the sand so it can sneak up on its prey. Being in an environment which is extremely hot, the digging snake burrows itself into the ground with its pointed head to keep cool. It also uses this burrowing method to take shelter. This snake is extremely tough. It uses the pointed tail, which it evolved throughout time to defend itself and from attackers/predators. Also, the mother digging snake keeps its young in a burrow underground and raises them there until they are mature enough to survive on their own.
Plant
Adaptations
Ferocactus magna
This cactus uses the sun and water to carry out photosynthesis for food. It obtains water through the long and powerful roots which it possesses. The spikes which it has are what help keep the cactus cool because they help save water. This cactus protects itself from attackers through two methods. The first is the spikes which all cactuses have. However, many animals have evolved and developed rough mouths which can tear cactuses apart. So, the storage cactus releases a chemical which gives off a nasty scent to attackers and deters it away. It's offspring are already equipped with these two traits so they can protect themselves.
Bibliography
- "A Plant Enemy's Enemy." Student Science. N.p., 2015. Web. 14 Feb. 2015.
- "Deserts -- National Geographic." National Geographic. National Geographic Society., 2015. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
- "Desert Plants and Animals." Defenders of Wildlife. N.p., 24 Apr. 2012. Web. 14 Feb. 2015.
- Feller, Walter. "Desert Carnivores." Carnivores. Digital Dessert, n.d. Web. 18 Feb. 2015.
- "How Plants Cope with the Desert Climate." Yecora Region. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, 2015. Web. 16 Feb. 2015.
- "Plants Profile for Ferocactus Cylindraceus Var. Cylindraceus (California Barrel Cactus)." Plants Profile for Ferocactus Cylindraceus Var. Cylindraceus (California Barrel Cactus). United States Department of Agriculture, n.d. Web. 14 Feb. 2015.
- "Weasel." (Mustela Nivalis). A-Z Animals, 2013. Web. 17 Feb. 2015.