Deserts Ms. Garcia Thursday,March 30, 2006 Ms. Garcia Thursday,March 30, 2006

What is a desert? ◊A desert is a landscape form of region that receives little precipitation- less than 250 mm (10 inches) per year. Deserts have a reputation for supporting little life.

Life in the Desert ◊Animals ◊Plants ◊Animals ◊Plants

What are some desert animals? ◊Sidewinder snakes ◊Diamondback snakes ◊Striped Whipsnake ◊Sidewinder snakes ◊Diamondback snakes ◊Striped Whipsnake ◊Turkey Vulture ◊Gopher ◊Mexican Gray Wolf

What are some desert plants? ◊Apache Plume ◊Desert Lily ◊Fairy Duster ◊Barrel Cactus ◊Mojave Yucca ◊Apache Plume ◊Desert Lily ◊Fairy Duster ◊Barrel Cactus ◊Mojave Yucca ◊Crucifixion Thorn ◊California Fan Palm ◊Joshua Tree ◊Showy Milkweed

How do desert animals survive? How do desert animals survive? ◊Most of the desert animals are nocturnal- being most active during the night. ◊Most of these animals avoid the heat of the desert by feeding & hunting at night when the temperature has dropped. ◊Some animals dig burrows & stay underground. Animals that are large stay under shade. ◊Most of the desert animals are nocturnal- being most active during the night. ◊Most of these animals avoid the heat of the desert by feeding & hunting at night when the temperature has dropped. ◊Some animals dig burrows & stay underground. Animals that are large stay under shade.

How do desert plants survive? ◊Xerophytes are plants that have adapted by altering their physical structure. ◊Xerophytes such as cacti, usually have special means of storing and conserving water. They have few or no leaves, which reduces transpiration. ◊Xerophytes are plants that have adapted by altering their physical structure. ◊Xerophytes such as cacti, usually have special means of storing and conserving water. They have few or no leaves, which reduces transpiration. ◊Phreatophytes are plants that have adapted to arid environments by growing extremely long roots, allowing them to acquire moisture at or near the water table.

Quiz on desert life: ◊What are some animals that inhibit the desert life? ◊What are some plants that inhibit the desert life? ◊What are two ways that desert animals survive? ◊What are two ways that desert plants survive? ◊What are some animals that inhibit the desert life? ◊What are some plants that inhibit the desert life? ◊What are two ways that desert animals survive? ◊What are two ways that desert plants survive?

California deserts to visit: ◊Salt Ridges, Mojave Desert ◊Death Valley National Park ◊San Jacinto Mountains ◊Salt Ridges, Mojave Desert ◊Death Valley National Park ◊San Jacinto Mountains ◊Forty-nine Palms Oasis, Joshua Tree National Park ◊Tufa Towers, Trona Pinnacles ◊Resting Springs Pass