Desert
Ashton Goebel
Location
Characteristics
Types of Deserts
Arid- Arid deserts occur in low latitudes, their seasons are typically hot and dry, and rain may come a few times in the winter. (Sahara Desert)
Semi-Arid- The seasons are more defined than in arid deserts. Rainfall is still low, but some animal and plant life thrive. (Great Basin)
Coastal- These are found in warm and cool places. The soil (sand) does not hold water very well, so plant life has thick foliage and good water retention. (Atacama Desert)
Cold- In the winter, the desert receives a moderate amount of rain and snow. The cold desert does not sustain delicate plant and animal life. (Gobi Desert)
Abiotic Factors
Weather and Climate
Temperature
Precipitation
Landforms
Mountains
Sahara Desert
The Sahara desert has some mountains and large areas of sand dunes. It is located in northern Africa and is the largest hot desert in the world. The Sahara is about the size of the entire United States.
Monument Valley
Monument Valley is region located in the the Colorado Plateau. Within are many sandstone buttes. A butte is a narrow flat-topped hill of resistant rock with very steep sides. The tallest butte in Monument Valley is 1000 ft above the valley floor.
Sand Mountain
Sand Mountain is located east of Fallon, Nevada. It is 600 feet tall and two miles wide! It is the only home of the Sand Mountain Blue Butterfly.
Bodies of Water
Canyons
Biotic Factors
Animals
Cactus Wren
The Cactus Wren is found in the south- western U.S.A. and Mexico and is the largest North American Wren. It lives in thorny shrubs, cacti and trees and eats insects and occasionally lizards or small frogs.
Cold-blooded Animals
Many animals like this rattlesnake are cold-blooded. They need the sun to heat their bodies. Other cold-blooded animals are other snakes, insects, and lizards.
Small Mammals
Small mammals burrow into the ground to keep cool. Some desert mammals are kangaroo rats and the kit fox.
Gila Monster
Gila Monsters are found in southwestern North America. These cold-blooded animals eat small mammals and other animals' eggs.
Desert Coyote
Coyotes live in North America. They are similar to wolves and are carnivorous. Female coyotes cn have up to 19 puppies in a litter.
Bactrian Camel
This Bactrian Camel is a severely endangered species and can be found in Central Asia. There are less than 1000 left in the world. They have two humps, instead of one.
Plants
Cacti
Cacti (cactus) have thick waxy skin to retain water. Cacti have shallow, widely spread roots to help them receive water right as it enters the sand (soil). They also have spines to protect themselves from predators. The lagest kind of cacti are Sagueros. (shown) Sagueros only grow in the Sonoran Desert.
Dragon Tree
The Dragon Tree is from the Canary Islands. The sap that comes from it is sometimes called "dragon's blood." The sap can be hardened, and used for jewelry.
Aloe
Aloe is a succulent, which means it has properties to help keep water inside it. For many centuries, aloe has been used for medicine. The gel inside the plant helps soothe burns.
Joshua Tree
Tree
The tallest trees are about 15 tall. The leaves are long and sharp. It lacks growth rings, so determining the age is difficult. Some trees live to be a thousand years old.
Flower
The flowers are milky-white and bloom from February to late April. The Yucca moth lays her eggs in the flower, and the larvae feed on the seeds.
Fruit
The fruit has a green-brown skin and is fleshy on the inside. The fruit has many flat seeds.