Childrens Illustrated Encyclopedia

159

Desert wildlife 159-

THE VAST, DRY EXPANSE OF A DESERT may look

uninhabited, but all kinds of plants and animals survive in

these sandy regions—including insects, reptiles, mammals,

and fish. Deserts are the driest places on Earth; some have less

than 4 in (10 cm) of rainfall each year. Desert animals have

adapted to the lack of water in various ways. Camels, for

example, can survive for a long time without drinking. Other

animals find enough water in the plants and insects they eat,

so they never have to drink at all. Plants such as baobab trees

have deep-growing roots to search for water underground.

Other problems for desert wildlife are the extremes of

temperature and the lack of shelter. Some deserts are

scorching hot; others are freezing cold. Desert mammals have

thick fur to keep out heat as well as cold. Many find shelter

from the sun and icy winds by digging burrows. In hot deserts,

animals stay in their burrows by day and hunt at night when

the temperature is lower.

LONG-EARED HEDGEHOG
The long-eared hedgehog shown
here has large ears that give off
excess warmth to keep the animal
cool. Prickly spines protect it from predators.
During the day, the long-eared hedgehog
stays in its burrow; at night it hunts for
Long-eared hedgehog insects and worms.

COLD DESERTS

It is often bitterly cold at night

and during the winter in deserts

such as the Gobi Desert in Asia.

This is partly because the Gobi is very

high—about 3,500 ft (1,000 m) above sea

level. Day temperatures rise as high as

122°F (50°C), then fall to -40°F (-40°C).

For some creatures, a burrow is the only

place that provides warmth. Some animals,

such as the mongoose, dig their own burrow;

others, such as snakes, take over an empty

burrow or kill and eat the occupier.

Northern

jerboa

TAWNY EAGLE
The tawny eagle survives
well in desert conditions. Its
incredible eyesight enables
it to spot a rabbit or lizard
thousands of feet away.
When it sees prey, the tawny
eagle dives at great speed
and grabs the victim in its
powerful talons.

COBRA

The hooded cobra kills small

mammals, frogs, and lizards

by biting them with its deadly

fangs full of venom (poison).

When this snake is in danger, it

rears up its head and spreads out

the ribs in the loose skin of its

neck to form a hood. The hood

makes the cobra look bigger and

more threatening.

MONGOOSE

These adaptable mammals hunt by day for all

kinds of small animals, including bees, spiders,

scorpions, mice, and snakes. A mongoose has

extremely quick reactions, so it can easily dodge

an enemy such as a snake. The mongoose then

leaps onto the snake and kills it with one bite.

This map shows the main

desert areas of the world.

Asia

North

America

South

America

Africa

Australia

JERBOA

Many small mammals live in the desert,

including various kinds of mice, gerbils,

and jerboas. With its long back legs, the

northern jerboa shown here can

leap away from danger, keeping

its large toes spread out to

prevent it from sinking in

the soft sand. Jerboas feed on

seeds and other plant matter.

Many lizards prowl across the dry sand,

flicking their tongues in and out to taste the

air. This monitor lizard

eats eggs belonging

to birds and other

reptiles.

Desert