Question

Desert owls are inactive during the day and active at night. They also have small bodies. This describes _____ adaptation to the hot and dry desert.

Answer 1

Answer:

Behavioural and anatomical adaptation

Explanation:

Adaptations refers to characteristics present in organism which help them survive in a given environment in which they are found. These adaptations are developed over time in order to help the organism to be best suited to its environment to obtain food and water as well as to avoid predators

Such adaptations may be physical adaptations such as anatomical or physiological, or behavioural adaptations.

In physical adaptation, organisms have structural and physiological features that help them to survive. For eaxmple, needle-like leaves of desert plants to prevent water loss, thick fur of animals in cold regions, echolocation in bats to help them detect prey.

In behavioural adaptations, organisms display certain behaviours to help them survive. For example, migration of birds as wel as other animals based on seasonal changes, hibernation of animals in cold regions during winter, desert animals being active at colder nights and inactive during the very hot day.

Therefore, desert owls being inactive during the day and active at night is a behavioural adaptation, while their having small bodies is structural or anatomical adaptation.