Expert: Dana Krempels, Ph.D. - 8/21/2007

Question
Hi, my name is Kevin and I am doing a summer project for my AP   Biology class.  For our summer work we are required to complete a brochure on a biome of our choice.  The biome that i have chosen is the desert.  Can you explain why it is almost  what kind of animals live in the desert and what kind of special adaptations they have that allow them to survive in that environment.

Answer
Dear Kevin,

Well, I'm sure you know the desert is a very dry environment.  So the animals that live there must have physiological and/or behavioral adaptations that allow them to preserve bodily fluids.

Temperatures in the desert can also fluctuate widely, with days being incredibly hot, and nights sometimes near freezing.  So animals also must have metabolic means to avoid harm from the temperature extremes.  (Consider the need to radiate heat during the day, and maintain it at night:  what sort of physical features would help with that?  Hint:  Ears.  Fur.  Feathers.)

I think since this is your project, you need to do the research on the special adaptations of desert species on your own.  But I'll give you an interesting hint and a web site to use:

www.bio.miami.edu/dana/dox/nitrogenouswaste.html

(Hint:  nitrogenous waste excretion.)

The types of animals that live in the desert include certain species of foxes, coyotes, jackrabbits, cottontails, ground squirrels, deer, donkeys, camels, etc. It depends on the geographic location of the desert, and what continent you're on.  Reptiles include lizards, snakes, tortoises.  Birds include migratory passers-through, as well as more permanent residents.  In the U.S. common desert birds include various finches, roadrunners, ravens, hawks (several species) and eagles.

Desert insects have as many fascinating adaptations as the vertebrates, so don't forget them!  :)

Hope you have a lot of fun learning about the desert and its inhabitants!

Good luck,
Dana