The Desert By: Alex Peterson and Sam Nuss

Animals Some of the animals that can be found in Deserts are the armadillo lizard, banded gila monster, bobcat, cactus wren, coyote, bighorn sheep, kangaroo rat, thorny devil, and the javelina. Some of the most dangerous animals found in the desert are the rattle snake, scorpion, banded gila monster, mountain lion, cougar, javelina, bears, killer bees, and a centipede.

Interesting things about Desert Animals The Banded Gila Monster is one of the 2 poisonous lizards. The Javelins is the only wild pig in North America. The Thorny Devil changes color to what its surroundings are. Camels are actually a really good source of food for people.

Plants Some plants found in the desert are the jumping cholla, barrel cactus, brittle bush, chain fruit cholla creosote bush, desert ironwood, and the palo verde. When the jumping cholla is touched the sharp needles will stick to the skin.

Plants Some of the edible plants found in the desert are the barrel cactus, fig tree, bitter apple, and the prickly pear cactus. Some of the poisonous plants in the desert are the barrel cactus, the silverleaf nightshade, and the Texas mountain laurel.

Climate Has less than 50 cm of rain each year Hot deserts are warm all year 20-25°C during day, -18°c at night, can get as hot as 49°c

Climate Semiarid desert is cooler than hot desert; gets 2-4 cm of rain annually; stays below 38°c costal deserts have short cool winters and long warm summers; get 8-13 cm of rain Cold deserts get snow and lots of rain; has long winters and short summers

Geography Sahara desert is the largest desert in the world; deserts are located in western U.S., south America, Africa, Asia, and most of Australia Soil is sandy and rocky; has good nutrients because it needs water to become productive and has little or no organic matter.

Geography Semiarid deserts have low salt concentration, coastal have medium, and cold has lots. Most of land mass is dunes and rock formations

Fun and Interesting Facts Sahara desert covers 3,500,000 miles- bigger than U.S.! The Kangaroo rat never drinks water in it’s entire life! There are about 500 edible plants in the Sonoran Desert. There are more plants and animals living in the Sonoran Desert, than in most forest.

Travel Good for people who like hot weather, like a beach with out the ocean. The Desert has a very different environment for people who need a break. Good place to study different types of animals and plants, in their natural habitat.

Works Sited Beebe.B.AmericanDesertsAnimals.NewYork:David Mckay Company.1920