Animals of the deserts have developed special bodies and ways of life that enable them to survive the extreme heat.  Centipedes, kangaroo rats, rattlesnakes, and scorpions spend the day in burrows.  They come out to search for food only when temperatures drop at night.  Many insects, lizards, and tortoises can tolerate high desert temperatures and are active in the daytime.  But even they must retreat underground or find the shade of a tree during the hottest part of the day.  Some snails, insects, frogs, lizards, mice, and ground squirrels estivate (sleep through the summer). 

Many desert dwellers have light-colored skin, which helps keep them cool by reflecting sunlight.  Desert foxes and hares have long ears.  When overheated, these animals move to a cool cave or burrow where they can get rid of excess body heat through their ears.  The Cape ground squirrel makes its own shade by using its fluffy tail like a parasol.  Fairy shrimp and spadefoot toads may spend months or years underground waiting for rain to create ponds.  Then they quickly feed and reproduce before the ponds dry again.