Brittlebush is allelopathic. The leaves produce a toxic, water-soluble substance that inhibits the growth of several winter annuals [24].

The fruit is eaten by jackrabbits, peccaries, deer, squirrels, birds, iguanas, tortoises, and beetles. Many animals eat prickly pear during droughts. Ranchers burn off the spines so that cattle can graze on them.

Many desert plants have hairy leaves or stems. The hairs act like a blanket over the leaves to protect them from the heat and cold. The white color reflects the sunlight helping to keep the plant cool. They also help trap any moisture and reduce the amount of water lost.

The Brittle Bush has many adaptations. It’s leaves are covered with thick little hairs which help protect it from predators. The plant it able to store lots of water to when it doesn’t rain for a long time, it has enough to drink.

Mule deer and desert bighorn sheep browse on it, and kangaroo rats will eat its seeds, but aren’t all that fond of it. Other than that, it isn’t used for domestic livestock. Brittlebush is most useful for rehabilitating landscapes, and stabilizing disturbed areas.

Nocturnal desert animals keep cool by being active at night, whereas some other desert animals get away from the sun’s heat by digging underground burrows. Other common adaptations seen in desert animals include big ears, light-colored coats, humps to store fat, and adaptations that help conserve water.

Answer Expert Verified. Snail and Hermit crab both use shells for protection for underneath those sturdy shell is their soft bodies so they need coverings for harm and danger purposes.

1. The wood frog creates its own antifreeze to survive being frozen. Their greatest defense mechanism: Using natural anti-freeze to survive being frozen alive. During the height of winter, these frogs are able to survive the harsh climate by allowing their bodies to become largely frozen.

Camouflage and special body coverings are two ways that animals protect themselves from other animals.