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Explore the characteristics of deserts, Earth's hottest biomes with little vegetation and rainfall. Learn about desert location, climate, plants, animals, and fascinating adaptations for survival.
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The Desert Today I will learn about the Desert because I need to know the characteristics that scientists use to classify the biomes.
General Description • Deserts are places on earth that are characterized by little vegetation and rain. • Deserts are the hottest biomes on Earth. • They are made up of sand or rocks and gravel. • Many kinds of plants and animals are found only in deserts. • The desert has very hot days but can get very cold at night.
Location • Most deserts lie along the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn, imaginary lines that lie north and south of the equator. • Deserts cover about one-fifth of all the land in the world
Climate Average Temperature: Summer: 38°C (100°F) Winter: 7°C (45°F) It can be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit during the day but below 32 degrees at night.
Precipitation • Average Yearly Rainfall is less than 25 cm (10 in) • Though there is little rain in a desert, when it does rain, it pours. Violent rainstorms can cause flashfloods in the desert. • After a storm, the desert may not see any rain for weeks or months.
Plants • Barrel Cactus • Brittle Bush • Joshua Tree • Ocotillo
Animals • Armadillo Lizard • Desert Kangaroo Rat • Desert Tortoise • Sonoran Pronghorn Antelope
Adaptations of Plants • Plants grow far apart so that the plants won’t have to compete with each other for water. • Some plants have shallow, widespread roots that grow just under the surface. These roots let plants take up water during a storm. • Other desert plants, such as cacti, have fleshy stems and leaves that store water. • The waxy coating helps prevent water loss.
Adaptations of Animals • Most desert animals are active only at night, when temperatures are cooler. • Some animals bury themselves in the ground and are dormant during the dry season. • Kangaroo rats never need to drink because they recycle water from the foods they eat.
Adaptations of Animals • Huge ears help jack rabbits get rid of body heat. • Desert tortoises eat flowers or leaves and store water underneath their shells.