Warm-Up

The DesertToday 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

Location

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.