Animals and Plants in DesertsObjective:How do plants and animals adapt to life in the hot desert?

Quiz• What does the darkling dung beetle drink? A) rain B) fog C) Cactus juice• How does a sandgrouse fetch water for its chicks? A) In its beak B) In a bucket C) In

its feathers• What does a ground squirrel use for shade? A) Its tail B) its mate C) A camel• How does the desert tortoise cool down? A) It stays in its shell B) It wees on its

back legs C) It rubs spit on its head• What does the fennec fox use its ears for? A) radiators B) Fans C) Er…. Hearing• How do spadefoot toads stand the heat? A) by living underwater B) By living under

a cactus C) By sleeping underground• How often do Kangaroo rats have a drink? A) Never B) Twice a year C) Once a

month• How do snakes cross the hot sand without getting burnt? A) By getting a ride on a

camel B) By flying over the sand C) By slithering sideways

Animals

What am I? Why?

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/how-are-camels-adapted-to-live-in-the-desert/6232.html

Camels• The long eyelashes

keep sand out of the camel's eyes.

• Thick eyebrows shield the eyes from the desert sun.

CamelsA camel’s nostrils can close

so it doesn't get sand up its nose.

Camels• Camels store fat in

the hump, not water. The fat can be used up for energy

Camels• Camels have thick lips so

they can eat the prickly desert plants with out feeling pain.

CamelsA camel can go a week or more without water, and they can last for several months without food. They can drink up to 32 gallons (46 litres) of water at one drinking session!

Unlike most mammals, a healthy camel's body temperature fluctuates (changes) throughout the day from 34°C to 41.7°C (93°F-107°F.) This allows the camel to conserve water by not sweating as the environmental temperature rises.

Feet are wide so they can walk on sand more easily. Their huge feet help them to walk on sand without sinking into it.

The colour of their bodies helps them to blend into their environment.

Ears are covered with hair, even on the inside. The hair helps keep out sand or dust that might blow into the animal's ears.

Desert TortoiseThe desert tortoise may be active during the day or the morning and evening depending on the temperature.

The desert tortoise burrows under the sand to protect itself from extreme desert temperatures.

Adults can survive for about a year without water. They are able to obtain water from their diet.

Tortoises can withdraw their head, legs, and tail into the shell providing themselves protection against predators.

To utilize the infrequent rainfalls, tortoises dig shallow pits to catch the water. The tortoises may be found waiting by these areas when rain is in the forecast.

Fennec Fox

Their burrowing and nocturnal lifestyle helps restrict water loss.

Their thick fur helps insulate them from the cold desert nights.

The fennec fox seems to be the only carnivore living in the Sahara Desert able to survive without free water. Their kidneys are adapted to restrict water loss, their extensive burrowing may cause the formation of dew, which can then be consumed, and they will receive moisture from the food that they eat.

Fennec foxes also have thick fur on the soles of their feet, which insulate against the hot sand of the desert. This extra fur on the soles of their feet also affords them excellent traction in the loose sand.

Their large ears, which are usually 6 inches long (15 centimeters), help dissipate excess body heat on hot days in the desert.

Their sandy fur helps to reflect heat, and also provides excellent camouflage.

Plants

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/learningzone/clips/which-plants-can-store-water-in-the-desert/6241.html

Xerophytic - Barrel cactusReduced leaf size to minimise the amount of water lost through TRANSPIRATION

Leaves have developed into spikes which shade the cactus AND help defend it from animals

Thick waxy coating on the stem reduces water loss

Swollen stem stores water

Most Cacti have shallow, spread out roots

Ephemeral plants (Wild heliotrope)• Ephemeral plants do not live very long.

When it rains they will grow very rapidly and distribute their seeds before it dies out when the water runs out. The new seeds will then lay dormant awaiting the next rainfall.

Deserts in EcuadorEcuador has two desert zones: 1.Palmira, with 111 km2

2.El Oro, with 186 km2. There are also three zones at risk of desertification: 1.The peninsula of Santa Elena2.Manabí3.Different sectors of the Andean region.

Desertification in EcuadorThe principal factors which contribute to desertification in Ecuador are: climate, poverty, erosion, deforestation, the density and irregular distribution of the population, and over-exploitation of the land and its misuse. (Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, 2005). The most affected provinces are Manabí, Chimborazo y Loja.

Homework assignment• Produce a powerpoint (or Prezi), showing the

wonders of adaptations in the deserts.• Include animals and plants.• Maximum 10 slides• Follow this link to find brilliantexamples: Some

remarkable desert adaptations.