They are active from dusk until dawn when the surface temperatures are favorable. Depending on the type of animal, they may dig the burrow themselves or occupy that of another. Some animals escape the high surface temperature by climbing into shrubs where the air is cooler. A second adaptation to hot, arid environments is physiological. Animals that live in the desert also have the physiological adaptations which they employ to deal with the heat.
Some animals utilize panting which leads to evaporative cooling.
Sweating is also a means that allows for evaporative cooling, however, sweating is seldom, if ever, used by desert animals. These animals have devised means of functioning in high temperatures. In fact, some lizards are active with a body temperature of over 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Birds, especially the morning dove, goldfinch, and house finches, live only near a water supply. These birds use water copiously and have developed no adaptations for water saving.