Desert climates are generally warm throughout the year with hot summers and little precipitation in the winters. Temperatures experience large daily fluctuations due to low humidity. There are two types of deserts - hot deserts that are warm all year round and cold deserts near the poles with short summers and long, cold winters. Many desert animals are nocturnal to avoid the heat, and both plants and animals have adapted to store water and take shelter from the sun. Common desert animals include snakes, owls, mice, foxes, lizards, scorpions, camels and vultures. Desert plants have shallow roots and thick stems or spines to conserve water. Oases provide areas in