Incredible ways animals adapt to their surroundings  

What do we do when you feel cold or unsafe? We usually retreat into the safest spaces in our home to keep us comfortable and secure. But this is very hard to achieve in the wild. No wonder then, that several animals and birds lose their lives to difficult terrains, harsh weather conditions or deadly predators. 

Most animals have built-in mechanisms that can help protect against these conditions and keep them safe. Starting from camel’s hump to bear’s hibernation, the list is endless. But we are going to introduce you with four animals with incredible adaptive mechanisms to help them survive in the wild.  

Kangaroo Rats 
When food and water supplies start running low, we usually consume them more carefully. Well, kangaroo rats are a step ahead of us in this regard. They can go for long periods without even drinking water. These rats get the needed quota of moisture by consuming a variety of seeds scattered around. This is how they survive in the harsh conditions and deal with the scarcity of supplies.  

Elephants 
The most distinguishing features of an elephant are its ears. In case of elephants, these aren’t intended to just look majestic. The large ears help them stay cool in the hot, dry summer. Unlike humans, elephants can’t sweat. In order to cool down, they flap their large ears and generate cool air like a fan. An elephant’s ear is also extremely thin and filled with a network of tiny blood vessels. As it gets warmer, blood rushes to the elephant’s ears via these vessels and helps the heat escape.  

Woody Frogs 
The Alaskan wood frog freezes itself solid, turning woody in the winter. Over half of these frogs can freeze themselves completely throughout the winter. They usually have a high concentration of glucose in their bodies at this time. The sugar not only helps them freeze but also prevents body cells from dying. Ice quickly forms in the internal organs of these frogs and the eyes turn white due to freezing. Even the layers of muscles and skin form ice crystals. When spring arrives, the bodies of the wood frogs automatically start to thaw as the temperatures start rising. 

The Bullfrog 
Is caterpillar the only animal that comes to mind when you think of a cocoon? Time to rethink, then! Let’s meet the African bullfrog, who makes its home in the African Savannahs. Given the hot, dry weather, it secretes mucus that envelopes its skin completely. This mucus combines with dead skin cells and forms a protective covering. It also helps the frog breathe outside water. Bullfrogs usually bury themselves as far as eight inches below the ground. The mucus hardens, forming a cocoon that can keep the bullfrog alive for as long as seven years. When the rains begin, the cocoon softens and allows the bullfrog to come back to life.