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How can a creature weighing over 5 tons and normally taking 150 kilograms of food and 120 liters of water per day survive in a desert environment?
In the southwest African country of Namibia, and the Sahara lands of Mali further north, the desert elephant does just that.
Although not regarded as a separate species from the African elephant, the desert cousin differs in many ways. Their bodies are smaller, to absorb less heat, and their feet are larger for easier walking across sandy surfaces. They are taller, to reach higher branches. They have shorter tusks （象牙），and most importantly, longer trunks to dig for water in riverbeds.
Desert elephants can travel over 70 kilometers in search for feeding grounds and waterholes, and have a larger group of families. They drink only every 3-4 days, and can store water in a “bag” at the back of their throat, which is only used when badly needed. Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches, and thus maintain what little food sources are available. Yong elephants may even eat the dung （粪便） of the female leader of a group when facing food shortage.
During drought they are unlikely to give birth to their young but with good rains the birthrate will increase greatly. Desert elephants have sand baths, sometimes adding their own urine （尿液） to make them muddy!
As we continue to overheat our weak planet, it can only be hoped that other animal species will adapt as extraordinarily well to change as the desert elephant.
1. The underlined part in paragraph 2 means “ ______”.
A. remains in the African countries
B. drinks 120 liters of water a day
C. manages to live in desert areas
D. eats 150 kilograms of food daily
2. Desert elephants are called careful feeders because they ______.
A. rarely ruin trees
B. drink only every 3-4 days
C. search for food in large groups
D. protect food sources for their young
3. The author answers the question raised in the first paragraph with ______ .
A. stories and explanation
B. facts and descriptions
C. examples and conclusion
D. evidence and argument
4. What can be inferred from the last sentence in the passage?
A. Overheating the earth can be stopped.
B. Not all animal species are so adaptable.
C. The planet will become hotter and hotter.
D. Not all animals are as smart as desert elephants.
cousin n . 堂兄弟姊妹，表兄弟姊妹
feeder n . 食客
root up 根除；肃清
drought n . 干旱；缺乏
birthrate n . 出生率
overheat vt . 使过热 vi . 变得过热
Desert elephants are careful feeders—they seldom root up trees and break fewer branches, and thus maintain what little food sources are available.
（参考译文） 沙漠象是非常仔细的食客——它们很少将树连根拔起，破坏的树枝也比较少，这样能够维护好数量有限的食物来源。