The Great Basin Desert covers less than a quarter of North America and experiences cold temperatures despite being a desert. Some common plants in deserts include the pipe cactus, popcorn flower, fairy duster, Mormon tea, and desert ironwood. Animals often found in deserts are red kangaroos, bilbies, goannas, and camels. Camels can grow up to 6 feet tall and have two toes on each foot. The Sahara Desert is the hottest desert on Earth and deserts make up about one third of the global land area.