Chaparral
The Chaparral Biome
This is the Chaparral biome
This biome consists mainly of tangled shrubs and thorn bushes. The animals are in a great variety as they vary from Elephants to Kangaroos.
General Climate conditions
The Chaparral biome can be very hot or very cold as the temperature ranges between 100˚ to 30˚ with an average temperature of 64˚. It is not too rainy as it only rains about 10-17 inches per year. The chaparral is not a very good place to grow things because the low amounts of precipitation and the wide range of temperatures.
Animals of the Chaparral
Black-Tailed Jackrabbit
The name is misleading as the Black-Tailed Jackrabbit is actually a hare. They live in very extreme environments where temperatures are hot in the day and cold at night.They have huge ears and it can regulate body heat by regulating blood flow. It can also run up to 36 mph. Male Black-Tailed Jackrabbits weigh 9-11 and females weigh 11-13 pounds.
Puma
The males can weigh up to 200 pounds. Their hind feet are large as are their hind legs. Their hind legs are longer than most of the cat families. The puma's roar sounds somewhat like a lion or jaguar. The puma is one of the most adaptable animals to any environment.
Grey fox
Prefers wooden and brushy areas of the Southwestern, central and south eastern They don't like agricultural sites and they tend to make their dens in rocky areas. United states where most of the rain falls in the winter. An adult grey fox weighs 7-11 pounds
Golden Jackal
Looks like a small wolf and as very fluffy hair. It has long pointed ears and and a pointed snout. The length is about 70-80 cm. and bout 40 cm. tall. Their fur is yellow or a very pale color. The claws are near an inch long. it weighs about 17 pounds - 22 pounds.
Spotted Skunk
It prefers deserts, woods, brushy land, and terrain with many rocks. Avoids dense forests and wetlands and can live in may temperatures. Builds a den out of holes and it will then line it with leaves. About 21-25 centimeters long.
Facts about animals of the Chaparral
Animals in the Chaparral almost always adapt by developing camouflage. They must also become more agile to account for the harsh terrain.
Plants of the Chaparral
Sagebrush
Sagebrush grows well in dry places as it does not need water as much as the other plants.It is a perennial shrub, and it can grow from 2-12 feet tall. It has small white Flowers that grow on it.
French Broom
It grows very quickly and very close together which makes it very dense to cross through. It is considered a weed by many. It can grow from 5-8 feet tall and it has small flowers that come from the stem.
King Protea
This si the national flower of South Africa. They will sometimes grow to be about 12 inches across and some can grow to be about 6 1/2 feet tall. The flowers are typically about 1-2 inches long.
Olive tree
This is the oldest known cultivated tree in the world and it was first cultivated in Africa. Its fruits are considered to be a delicacy across the world including the U.S. They can reach about 25-30 feet in the air and live for about 500 years on average.
Torrey pine
The Torrey Pine will on average live about 100 years and can grow to be about 26-56 feet with its roots being nearly 280 feet long. That is why it is perfect for the hilly terrain of the Chaparral.
Facts about plants of the Chaparral
All plants of the Chaparral biome have to be extremely adaptable. Most plants leaves are small ad hard so tht they can retain water better. The chaparral biome almost always borders a desert, allowing for some of the same plants to survive there.