Acanthosicyos horridus (!nara), an endemic melon species of the hyper-arid Namib Desert, inhabits sandy dunes and dry river banks in an environment shaped by the cold Benguela current. This desert experiences extreme conditions, including high temperatures, rare rainfall, and desiccating air. In such a water-limited environment, non-rainfall water inputs (NRWIs) like fog, dew, and water vapour can play crucial roles in ecosystem function, influencing how plants exploit alternative moisture sources. Fog, in particular, is a primary NRWI in the coastal Namib Desert, where !nara is common. It is hypothesised that A. horridus is adapted to utilise fog as a moisture source, sharing features with other fog-dependent organisms, such as groove-like structures and cone-shaped thorns that direct water flow. This study investigated whether !nara exploits fog by examining its direct water uptake capacity through absorption tests and time-lapse macrophotography of fluorescent water droplets on stems. Shoot water potential was also measured to assess how fog affects the plant's water status. Additionally, chlorophyll a fluorescence was used to compare photochemical efficiency on foggy versus non-foggy days, while meteorological data helped to identify other environmental stressors. The findings show that A. horridus can directly absorb fog water into its stems, and NRWIs may indirectly influence its water status through changes in environmental parameters, such as lower stomatal conductance. Despite this, !nara did not show signs of drought stress, suggesting it relies on underground water sources rather than NRWIs alone. Environmental factors like temperature stress and wind were found to significantly impact the plant's vitality, indicating that A. horridus has evolved strategies to adapt to the extreme conditions of its habitat.