Desert biomeDesert biome
By: Mary, Kendall, Skylar
location
In North America there are 4 main deserts;
Chihuahuan
Sonora
Mojave
Great Basin
THERE ARE 5 TYPES OF SEASON IN A DESERT:
• WINTER• SPRING• WET SUMMER • DRY SUMMER• FALL
Temperature
• There are 4 major types of climates in the desert:
• Hot and dry
• Semiarid
• Coastal
• Cold
Temperature
• There are different types of temperatures in each desert range. The average temperature of the hot desert is to at least 68-77 degrees F, but the extreme temperature is 110.30-120.20 degrees F.
• The average temperature for cold deserts is 32-39.20 degrees F, whilst in the summer its range is 69.80-78.80 degrees F.
Elevation
• The desert biome elevation is relatively low since they tend to lie in valleys or flatlands. They can be subdivided into dry, cold, shrub, and coastal desert. Temperatures vary, especially for high elevation deserts, from a blazing 0-111 degrees F.
Organisms • Algae are water plants, blue-green algae
do appear in the desert. They survive as spores during the long dry periods and return to life as soon as it rains. Fungi are commonly found in desert regions. They, too, reproduce by means of spores. Lichens are among the plants that live the longest. Lichens grow slowly, they are very hardy and can live in barren places under extreme conditions. During very dry periods, they rest. When it rains, they grow and make food.
• In the desert plants must be able to hold water ,stay protected from animals, and live through the hot and cold temperatures of the desert. These plants are some very good examples of all of those important adaptations.
Prickly Pear CactusOpuntia Humifusa
• The stem of the cactus holds a lot of water giving the plant plenty of energy. When the stem gets older in age it creates a thin protective bark.
• It is 2-8 feet in height
• Life span can be up to 20 years
Palo Verde TreeCercidium Microphyllum
Saguaro Cactus
• It can provide homes for animals and holds a lot of water in it’s long stem.
• It 40-60 feet tall
• Lifespan is150-200 years
»Ocotillo • Fouguieria Splendens• The pollen from this plants flowers provide food
for hummingbirds enabling it to reproduce.• It is 20feet high• Life span is 60-100 years
• Animal adaptations
The animals in order to survive stay in the shade or go underground. Most animals when its cool hunt at night. Animals get the moisture they need from insects and cacti's. Some animals have concentrated the bodies fat to one specific to a certain place.
CamelsThe humps on the Camels back is stored with
body fat. They can last a long period of time without water. They drink at least 20 gallons of water at a time.
• BilbyThe bilby lives in the Australian outback. They
are considered Australia's kangaroo mice. They are small so they can find shelter from the sun. They are about 29–55 centimeters (11–22 in) in length. Bilbies have an excellent sense of smell and sharp hearing
Animals• Thorny devil
A lizard is cold blooded so the heat doesn’t really matter to them. The thorny devil can make raindrops come directly its mouth when it falls, because there is little water in the desert. The thorny devil grows up to 20 cm (8.0 inches) in length, and it can live up to 20 years. The thorny devil is covered in hard, rather sharp spines that dissuade attacks by predators by making it difficult to swallow. Thorny devil also has a false head on its back. When it feels threatened by other animals or birds, it lowers its head between its front legs, and then presents it false head.
Animals• Water-Holding Frog
Spends most of their time underground. It develops a sort of cocoon. This allows them to store water to keep them going through the dry times. This is a very unusual habitat for an amphibian. It spends most of its time underground and they only come up to the surface after a heavy rain. The Water-Holding Frog will bury itself in the ground up to 3 feet (1m) deep.
Animals • Armadillo lizard
• This lizard’s nostrils are tube-like to help the lizard smell for food. When it curls up for protection from predators it’s body is like a spiny ring. Its size ranges from 16 to 21 cm. in length. It grows up to 12 centimeters in length. The lizard's skin is covered with thick, squarish, protective scales along its back make it awkward for its predators, such as birds of prey to attack in defense.
Images
Websites
• http://www.google.com/images
• www.nationalgeographic.com
• www.blueprint.com
• www.googleencyclopedia.com
• Editing and effects : Mary
information : skylar, Mary, Kendall
Shoebox production : skylar and Kendall
