When rain fills hollows, tiny tadpole-like Triops as also some frogs hatch from eggs laid long ago. They lay eggs. But their life span stretches about two weeks after which the pools dry up and they too die. Only their eggs survive to be self hatched in the sand.

The desert butterflies and moths also pass the dry season as pupae and are woken up by the rains. They grow up, lay eggs and die. Everything is complete by the time the plants dry up fully. Desert locusts are huge grasshoppers. They sometimes fly in dense clouds seeking leaves to eat. 

Certain beetles survive 17 years of drought by consuming only dry plants and dung. Among other insects are the scorpions and spiders. Scorpions spend hot days in crevices or holes dug under stones, among tree roots or by dry dry streams of rivers. They seize insects that stray in. At night these hunters emerge for making a kill for their meal.

The sun spiders or camel spiders also seize insects with their pincers. They have huge jaws but lack the poison with which most other spiders kill their prey.

The bold wolf spiders hunt in the open. Keen-eyed jumping spiders detect and creep up on their prey from a distance. Then pounce on them like cats. 

The desert reptiles feed on the insects and spiders. The reptiles' waterproof skins retain body moisture and bodies release little water as waste. But they prefer hunting at night, or at dawn and dusk. Because long exposure in the hot tropical sun could kill the reptiles. Most lizards including the collared lizard prey on insects. The chuckwall wedges and spiny tailed lizards feed on plants. These have no poison. But the orange and black Gila monster relies on poisonous fangs and bright warning colors for thier defense.
Slithering over hot sand is a problem for snakes. Some flow along in looping movement, lifting part of their body into the air. Thus while moving they do not sink in the sand and keeps part of its body off the hot ground. The horned viper and sidewinder rattlesnake move in this way. Both quickly burrow into cool sand when the sun becomes too hot. Among others, rattlesnakes, vipers and some cobras flourish in deserts. The speckled, multicolored coral snakes eat other snakes and lizards.
Desert tortoises are seen in the American desert. By the time the sun rides high, tortoises have retreated to cool, dark holes in the ground. And come out only when sun sinks. 
Most small mammals are rat-sized rodents and include the similar-looking jerboasof Africa and kangaroo rats of North America. Asleep underground, ground squirrels survive hot desert summers. 

Most desert rodents including kangaroo-rats, pack rats, pocket mice and white footed mice eat seeds or other dry foods. But African sand rats munch salty succulent plants.  Hunting the rodents are carnivores such as foxes, jackals, coyotes and skunks. The African fennec foxes get all the moisture they need from juices in their victims' bodies.

Big ears serve as radiators that help to prevent the foxes overheating. The jackrabbit's giant ears also help in the same way.