is scarce.What makes the camel survive so well in the desert is its ability to be able to go for many days without water. There is however no evidence that the camels store water in their stomachs. Desert vegetation can provide a camel with enough water for several months, and a thirsty camel can consume as much as 30 gallons of water at a time to replenish its reserves. In addition the camels metabolism can alow them to drink the salt water that is available in their habitat.A camel's body temperature can rise by as much as 6aC to 8aC to minimize its sweating further aiding in water conservation. Thick, broad sole pads and thick callosities on the joints of the legs and on the chest, upon which it rests in a kneeling position, enable it to withstand the heat of the desert sand. Moreover, its nostrils may be closed against flying dust, and its eyes are shielded by very long eyelashes and a third eyelid.Horned toad (Phrynosoma cornutum)These are short tailed, short-legged lizards in the iguana family. Found mostly in the dry regions of the western United States and Mexico. They can control their temperature by varying their heartbeat and the rate of the bodies' metabolism. ReptilesAlthough reptiles are considered as ectotherms, they do regulate their own body temperatures to a surprising extent. This thermoregulation is behavioral rather than metabolic as in endotherms, however.It is usually assumed that reptiles have a body temperature roughly the same as the air around them. but it has been shown that the temperature of reptiles is usually higher than that of the surrounding air. In fact, the body temperatures of lizards may be as much as 40aC or 50aC higher than the air temperature. For example a lizard lying on a black rock on a cool but sunny day will take on the temperature of the rock rather than that of the air.If its body temperature is too low, the lizard may flatten itself against the rock, absorbing heat from the sun and mor...
