Read the following passage and answer the question below. Deserts, often perceived as barren and lifeless, are in fact home to a surprising variety of plants and animals that have evolved remarkable adaptations to survive in extreme conditions. With scarce rainfall, intense daytime heat, and dramatic temperature drops at night, desert organisms have developed specialized strategies for conserving water and regulating body temperature. Many desert plants, such as cacti, store water in thick, fleshy tissues and have reduced leaf surfaces to minimize water loss through evaporation. Animals like the camel can go for extended periods without drinking water and can tolerate significant changes in body temperature, while smaller creatures such as desert rodents often remain in burrows during the day to avoid extreme heat, emerging only at night to forage. Despite their harsh conditions, deserts play an important ecological role and are increasingly threatened by climate change, which can alter rainfall patterns and expand desertification into previously fertile regions. Question: According to the passage, how do desert rodents typically avoid extreme daytime heat?
- A. By living exclusively near water sources
- B. By hibernating throughout the year
- C. By migrating to cooler regions seasonally
- D. By remaining in burrows during the day ✓
Correct answer
D. By remaining in burrows during the day
Explanation
The passage states desert rodents often remain in burrows during the day and emerge at night to forage.