Let's Explore! The Desert Biome

Summary

Deserts cover about one-fifth of Earth and receive little or no rainfall. Their soils may be sandy, gravelly, or stony. Although deserts are often thought of as hot, some are cold, including Antarctica. Plants and animals survive in these environments through specialized adaptations.

Survival Adaptations

• Camels can go for long periods without drinking. The video attributes this partly to their oval-shaped blood cells and says their humps help them maintain a cooler body temperature.
• Jackrabbits’ large ears release body heat.
• Cacti store water in their stems and use prickly spines for protection.

Avoiding Heat

Many desert animals are nocturnal: they rest during the day and become active at night. In western North American deserts, scorpions, tarantulas, and rattlesnakes shelter in burrows or under rocks during the day. Bats shelter in caves.

Dust Storms

Strong winds can lift and carry clouds of sand or soil. Camels can close their nostrils to keep dust out.

Deserts and Wildlife Described

Australia

The Great Victoria Desert is described as Australia’s largest desert. Its plants include fragrant eucalyptus trees, shrubs, and grasses. Animals include skinks, dingoes, and goannas.

The Great Sandy Desert is home to bearded dragons, wallabies, and kangaroos.

Great Basin Desert, North America

Described as the coldest North American desert, the Great Basin is mountainous and has varied elevations, climates, and soils. Its vegetation includes sagebrush, grasses, pinyon pines, and junipers. Animals include sage grouse, kit foxes, kangaroo rats, and horned lizards.

Mojave Desert, United States

Described as North America’s driest desert, the Mojave includes Death Valley, has very cold winter nights, and is home to Joshua trees. Wildlife mentioned includes bats, birds such as burrowing owls, bobcats, snakes, lizards, cougars, coyotes, bighorn sheep, and tortoises.

Sahara Desert, Africa

The Sahara stretches across much of northern Africa and includes rocky areas, sand dunes, and plains. Foxes and African wild dogs live there, as do cheetahs in some areas. Cheetahs are said to run up to 80 miles per hour.

Arabian Desert

Described as the world’s fifth-largest desert, the Arabian Desert is home to gazelles, oryx, and sand cats.

Researchers and Sources Featured

• Miss Hall introduces the video.
• No researchers or scientific sources are named in the subtitles.