Desert Environment Deserts are the world’s driest habitats. They get very little rain throughout the year. Most deserts are very hot, but some are cold. Deserts are usually very windy. Some hot deserts have large sand dunes, which are large mounds of sand built up by the wind. At night it can get very cold because there are no clouds to hold in the heat.

Where are the world’s deserts? -Hot Deserts: Sahara Desert in Africa, North American Desert, Arabian Desert, Australian Desert, Iranian Desert, Thar Desert -Cold Desserts: Gobi Desert in Africa, Patagonian Dessert, Namib Desert, Turkestan Desert

Desert Plants -Desert plants have adapted to cope with little rain fall. -The cactus is the most famous desert plant. They have thick stems that can store lots of water. Some have strong, sharp spikes to prevent animals from eating them. -The Welwitschia plant has leaves that absorb tiny droplets of water from fog that drifts across the desert.

Desert Animals -Desert animals have to survive hot days and cold nights. -Fennec foxes have a coat of fur that keeps them warm at night and cool during the day because of the light, reflective fur. -Jackrabbits lose heat through their large ears. -Desert squirrels flip their bushy tails over their backs during the day. This gives them shade from the sun. -Many animals cool down by panting or sweating.

Other Interesting Facts -The plants that are able to grow in the desert biome store water in their stem. They normally grow spaced out so that their roots can extend and find water. -Some deserts are so hot that when it rains, the water evaporates in the air before ever hitting the ground. -The driest desert on Earth receives on average 1 centimeter of rainfall every 5 to 20 years. -The desert habitat can be found on every continent except Europe.