DESERT
By Katerina Barry

Desert Locations
Some Desert’s:
• Sahara Desert (Africa)
• Atacama Desert (Chile)
• Gobi Desert (Mongolia)
• Great Basin Desert (North America)
• Antarctica

Sahara Desert

Deserts Of The World

Plants
Barrel Cactus, Brittle Bush, Chainfruit Cholla,Creosote
Bush, Crimson Hedghog Cactus, Desert Ironwood,
Joshua Tree, Jumping Cholla, Mojave Aster, Ocotillo, Palo
Verde, Pancake Prickly Pear Cactus, Saguaro Cactus,
Soaptree Yucca, Triangle-leaf Bursage

Plant Adaptions
-Succulent Plants store water in there roots, stems and leaves, and some
have long root systems that go deep into the ground to absorb water.
-Some plants have no leaves, which helps reduce water loss during photosynthesis.
-Some plant leaves have hair or have leaves that turn throughout the day to
create shade from the heat.
-Plants such as cacti, grow spines so that animals won’t eat the plants.

Gobi Desert

Animals
Armadillo Lizard(Carnivore)
Banded Gila Monster(Omnivore)
Bobcat(Carnivore)
Cactus Wren(Omnivore)
Coyote(Omnivore)
Bighorn Sheep(Herbivore)
Kangaroo Rat(Omnivore)
Tortoise(Herbivore)
Javelina(Herbivore)
Cactus Ferruginoug Pygmy Owl
Sonoran Desert Toad(Omnivore)
Sonoran Pronghorn Antelope
Thorny Devil(Omnivore)

Kangaroo Mouse
Armadillo Lizard
Bobca
t Coyote
Javeli
na
Gila Monster

Animal Adaptions
-One animal adaption is to store water to endure lack of water. Water can be stored in
fatty deposits and other tissue For example, the Gila monster stores water in it’s tail.
-Another adaption is to learn how to tolerate Hyperthermia. Most animals in the
desert can survive body temperatures that would be dangerous for humans.
-Many desert mammals and reptiles are crepuscular, meaning they are only
active during dusk, dawn and during the night when the temperatures are
cooler, and sleep in cave’s, den’s or burrow’s during the day.

Antarctic Desert

Food Chain
Producer: Soil, Bacteria, Plants
Primary Consumer: Insects, Lizards, Rodents, Deer
and other Grazers
Secondary Consumer: Larger Predator’s such as
Coyote’s, Hawk’s and other birds, and foxes.

Great Basin Desert

Decomposers
-Fungi
-Dung Beetle
-Over 40 Species Of
Termite

Bibliography
• http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/tucsonecology/
adaptations/adaptations_home.htm
• http://www.desertusa.com/survive.html
• http://www.blueplanetbiomes.org/
desert_animal_page.htm
• http://www.mbgnet.net/bioplants/adapt.html