Desert Biome
Deserts are areas that have experienced extreme
droughts leaving large bodies of sand and rock. They occupy about 20%
of the Earth's surface and can be found on all continents. The sand
may either lay flat across the land or it may form large sand dunes
that have been created by wind. Almost all deserts face extreme hot
temperatures in the day and cold temperatures at night. Because it rarely
rains only a few plants and animals are able to adapt to the extreme
environmental conditions. Many desert plants are designed to store water
or extend their roots deep into the Earth's surface allowing them to
survive (cactus, Acacia trees). Other plants may remain dormant until
a big rainfall where they then emerge from the desert sand, grow and
reproduce before becoming dormant again (grasses and flowering plants).
Animals usually become active during the evening hours due to the hot
temperatures of the day (mammals and birds). However, there are few
animals that may be active throughout the day (snakes and lizards).