We are all familiar with animals that hibernate in the winter, such as bears and pigs. There is … [+]
Animals use several strategies to increase their chances of survival through difficult environmental conditions.
One smart strategy is hibernation. A black bear, for example, will greatly increase its food intake when it senses winter approaching. This phase of enhanced calorie intake, called hyperphagia, allows the bear to build up its fat reserves for the long winter ahead. It will also prepare a den–where it can hide undisturbed. When a bear goes into hibernation, its metabolic rate slows down, and it undergoes physiological changes such as a decrease in heart rate and breathing rate. This helps to reduce energy consumption. The bear will remain in hibernation until spring when food and weather conditions become more favorable.
Less well known—but equally clever—is “projection.” Predators follow a survival strategy similar to the black bear, but do so in the summer months when environmental conditions present different challenges–such as when temperatures are hot or when food or water is scarce. Here are three animals that use projection to extend their already impressive lifespans.
1. West African lungfish
This fascinating fish has learned how to bury itself in the mud during the hot summer, settling down … [+]
The West African lungfish is notable for many reasons, not the least of which is its long-term viability–in some cases, up to a year. It is a freshwater fish. Because many rivers and streams shrink or dry up during the dry summer months, it has given them the ability to burrow into the mud and go into hibernation/dormancy, not emerging until better weather occurs. Amazingly, West African lungfish can live for years without any food.
In addition to its ability to project, the lungfish is unique in that it is one of the few species of fish that has lungs and gills, allowing it to breathe both above and below water. This ancient adaptation is thought to be the precursor to animals making the transition from water to land, which happened about 370 million years ago.
During spawning, lungfish will burrow a foot or more into the mud at the bottom of drying ponds or rivers, where they deposit a mucous membrane that makes it difficult to form a protective barrier. This bag helps retain moisture and protect the fish from extreme temperatures. During calving, the lungfish undergoes a reduction in metabolic rate, entering a state of torpor that allows it to survive on stored fat while relying on its lungs to breathe air through mucus tubes, as oxygen levels in the enclosed environment become insufficient.
Using strategies such as scaling, lungfish can survive in the wild for up to 25 years or more.
2. Desert Tortoise
A desert tortoise, like the one shown here, also takes part in the rating as a means of conserving energy. … [+]
The desert tortoise, which is native to the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, has evolved several adaptations to survive the harsh desert environment, including a strong, domed shell that provides protection from predators. and the weather. Its diet consists primarily of drought-tolerant plants, such as grasses, cacti, and shrubs, which provide it with essential nutrients and moisture. The turtle’s ability to store water in its body tissues is important for enduring long periods between irregular rainfalls.
To cope with extreme heat and prolonged dry conditions, desert tortoises, like lungfish, go through a period of calcification. As temperatures rise and water sources become scarce, the turtle burrows and returns to its burrow. Inside the hole, the turtle reduces its metabolic rate significantly, entering a state of sleep that allows it to conserve energy and moisture. When moulting, the turtle remains inactive and relies on oil reserves accumulated during the wet, most active months. This period of dormancy can last for several months, usually from late spring to early spring, until cooler temperatures and the availability of moisture awaken the turtle to emerge and resume foraging and other activities.
Using strategies like scaling, desert tortoises can live up to 80 years and, in some cases, even longer.
3. Gila Monster
The gila monster hides in the same way as a bear, except it does so in the summer … [+]
The Gila dragon is a large, venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Characterized by its robust body, bead-like scales, and striking orange and black coloration, this Gila lizard is one of the few venomous lizards in the world. It is well adapted to its desert habitat, where it primarily hunts small mammals, birds, and eggs. Its venom, released through barbed teeth, is used as a defense mechanism and as a means of subduing prey.
To survive the harsh and hot conditions of its desert environment, the Gila monster also goes through molting periods during the peak of summer. When temperatures rise and food and water become scarce, this Gila animal retreats to a hole or rock crevice to escape the heat. When calibrating, it lowers its metabolic rate, which helps conserve energy and moisture. The lizard remains largely inactive, relying on fat reserves stored in its tail to sustain it during these hot, dry months. Although they may occasionally venture out at night during this period of inclement weather, this Gila animal often emerges when the weather cools or the monsoons begin and food sources become more abundant.
Using strategies like projection, Gila giants can live up to 30 years in the wild.
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