Desert animals in the Sonoran Desert conserve energy by lowering their metabolic rates, reducing activity during extreme heat.

In the Sonoran Desert, many animals conserve energy by lowering their metabolic rates during the hottest parts of the day or year. This allows them to minimize energy expenditure and survive in extreme heat with limited food and water. Animals like reptiles and amphibians often enter a state of torpor or brumation, where their body processes slow down. Others, like small mammals and birds, adjust their behavior by being more active during cooler hours, such as early mornings or nights, to avoid the heat and conserve resources.