In the Sonoran Desert, temperature is the most significant factor influencing animal activity, as extreme heat forces many animals to be nocturnal or crepuscular.

The Sonoran Desert experiences extreme temperature fluctuations, with daytime temperatures often exceeding 100°F (38°C) in summer and dropping significantly at night. To avoid the intense heat, many desert animals—such as kangaroo rats, coyotes, and desert tortoises—are nocturnal (active at night) or crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk).
While food (a) and water (c) are important for survival, temperature determines when and how animals seek them. Even during droughts, many species have adapted to survive with minimal water. Sunlight (d) does not directly regulate activity as much as temperature does.