DESERT

World location:
Most large deserts are found away from the coasts, in areas where moisture from oceans rarely reaches. Deserts are found on nearly every continent.

CLIMATE

• Average yearly rainfall:less than ten inches, or twenty five centimeters
• Average summer temperature:thirteen-twenty four degrees Celsius
• Average winter temperature:five degrees Celsius or below

Environmental factors:
Deserts have thin, porous soil, and large patches of ground are bare.

PLANTS

• Spiny cactus
• Thorny shrubs
• Desert ironwood
• Brittle bush

PLANT ADAPTATIONS:

• Accordion-like stems that expand and store water.
• Shallow roots absorb water quickly

ANIMALS

• Lizards
• Bats
• Ground squirrels
• Sand grouse

ANIMAL ADAPTATIONS

• Ground squirrels can actually use their bushy tail like a parasol
• The sand grouse has specialized feathers on its belly that are able to soak up small quantities of water