5 Questions
What is the defining characteristic of a desert?
Low rainfall
Which animal sleeps underground during the day in hot deserts?
Kangaroo rats
How do kangaroo rats get the water they need to survive in the desert?
From the food they eat
What feature of cacti helps protect them from animals in the desert?
Thorns
What kind of plants are able to survive in hot deserts?
Cacti and a few trees and bushes
Study Notes
Characteristics of Deserts
- A desert is a dry place with little rain, receiving less than 10 inches of rain each year.
Types of Deserts
- Some deserts are hot, while a few can be cold.
Desert as a Habitat
- A desert is a habitat, where animals and plants live.
Animals in Hot Deserts
- Hot deserts are home to many kinds of living things, including owls, snakes, lizards, and coyotes.
- The kangaroo rat is a hot desert animal that sleeps underground during the day and comes out at night when it's cooler.
- Kangaroo rats get the water they need from food, eating mostly seeds.
Plants in Hot Deserts
- Only a few kinds of trees and bushes can survive in hot deserts.
- One of the most common desert plants is the cactus, which collects and stores water in its stem.
- Sharp spines protect most cacti from animals.
Test your knowledge about deserts, their habitats, and the animals that live there. Learn interesting facts about how desert animals survive in extreme conditions.
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