Desert Where is this biome Near the equator

Desert • • • Where is this biome? Near the equator or in a rain shadow area Description: Hot and dry Little moisture Mostly sand dirt

Weather • • Temperature 30° to 120 °F Precipitation Less than 10 inches a year Weather patterns Dry and hot all the time Sunny all the time

Plants • • Cactus Prickly pear Sunflowers Sage brush Bristle bush Desert holly Lechuguilla

Plant Adaptation • • • Spines to prevent predation Collect and store water Reduced transpiration Hair to reflect sunlight Thick leaves to avoid water loss

Animals • • Rodents Snakes Spiders Scorpions Insects Coyote Lizard

Animal Adaptations • • • Burrow underground during the day Cold-blooded Nocturnal Live without water for long time Get their water by eating other animals

Humans and Biodiversity • Humans live here • The biodiversity level in a desert is a 2 because it is so hot and dry

Abiotic Factors • • Heat or cold Dry air Lack of water Sand storms

Food Chain • Grass o Insect • Lizard o Snake • Hawk

Other Interesting Facts • • Air has almost no water vapor Xerophiles live here Covers 20% of Earth’s surface There are different kinds of deserts depending on latitude and topography