Animals and Plants in Deserts Objective: How do plants and animals adapt to life in the hot desert?

Quiz What does the darkling dung beetle drink? A) rain B) fog C) Cactus juice How does a sandgrouse fetch water for its chicks? A) In its beak B) In a bucket C) In its feathers What does a ground squirrel use for shade? A) Its tail B) its mate C) A camel How does the desert tortoise cool down? A) It stays in its shell B) It wees on its back legs C) It rubs spit on its head What does the fennec fox use its ears for? A) radiators B) Fans C) Er…. Hearing How do spadefoot toads stand the heat? A) by living underwater B) By living under a cactus C) By sleeping underground How often do Kangaroo rats have a drink? A) Never B) Twice a year C) Once a month How do snakes cross the hot sand without getting burnt? A) By getting a ride on a camel B) By flying over the sand C) By slithering sideways

Animals

What am I? Why?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/how-are-camels-adapted-to-live-in-the-desert/6232.html

Camels The long eyelashes keep sand out of the camel's eyes. Thick eyebrows shield the eyes from the desert sun.

Camels A camel’s nostrils can close so it doesn't get sand up its nose.

Camels Camels store fat in the hump, not water. The fat can be used up for energy

Camels Camels have thick lips so they can eat the prickly desert plants with out feeling pain.

Camels A camel can go a week or more without water, and they can last for several months without food. They can drink up to 32 gallons (46 litres) of water at one drinking session! Feet are wide so they can walk on sand more easily. Their huge feet help them to walk on sand without sinking into it. Ears are covered with hair, even on the inside. The hair helps keep out sand or dust that might blow into the animal's ears. Unlike most mammals, a healthy camel's body temperature fluctuates (changes) throughout the day from 34°C to 41.7°C (93°F-107°F.) This allows the camel to conserve water by not sweating as the environmental temperature rises. The colour of their bodies helps them to blend into their environment.

Desert Tortoise The desert tortoise may be active during the day or the morning and evening depending on the temperature. Tortoises can withdraw their head, legs, and tail into the shell providing themselves protection against predators. The desert tortoise burrows under the sand to protect itself from extreme desert temperatures. To utilize the infrequent rainfalls, tortoises dig shallow pits to catch the water. The tortoises may be found waiting by these areas when rain is in the forecast. Adults can survive for about a year without water. They are able to obtain water from their diet.

Fennec Fox Their large ears, which are usually 6 inches long (15 centimeters), help dissipate excess body heat on hot days in the desert. Their thick fur helps insulate them from the cold desert nights. Their sandy fur helps to reflect heat, and also provides excellent camouflage. The fennec fox seems to be the only carnivore living in the Sahara Desert able to survive without free water. Their kidneys are adapted to restrict water loss, their extensive burrowing may cause the formation of dew, which can then be consumed, and they will receive moisture from the food that they eat. Fennec foxes also have thick fur on the soles of their feet, which insulate against the hot sand of the desert. This extra fur on the soles of their feet also affords them excellent traction in the loose sand. Their burrowing and nocturnal lifestyle helps restrict water loss.

Plants

http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/which-plants-can-store-water-in-the-desert/6241.html

Xerophytic - Barrel cactus Reduced leaf size to minimise the amount of water lost through TRANSPIRATION Thick waxy coating on the stem reduces water loss Swollen stem stores water Leaves have developed into spikes which shade the cactus AND help defend it from animals Most Cacti have shallow, spread out roots

Ephemeral plants (Wild heliotrope) Ephemeral plants do not live very long. When it rains they will grow very rapidly and distribute their seeds before it dies out when the water runs out. The new seeds will then lay dormant awaiting the next rainfall.

Deserts in Ecuador Ecuador has two desert zones: Palmira, with 111 km2 El Oro, with 186 km2. There are also three zones at risk of desertification: The peninsula of Santa Elena Manabí Different sectors of the Andean region.

Desertification in Ecuador The principal factors which contribute to desertification in Ecuador are: climate, poverty, erosion, deforestation, the density and irregular distribution of the population, and over-exploitation of the land and its misuse. (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, 2005). The most affected provinces are Manabí, Chimborazo y Loja.

Homework assignment Produce a powerpoint (or Prezi), showing the wonders of adaptations in the deserts. Include animals and plants. Maximum 10 slides Follow this link to find brilliantexamples: Some remarkable desert adaptations.