What animals can be found in the desert?
Animals of the desert have adapted to the extreme heat and lack of water in their desert environment. The bodies of these animals have adapted to protect them from the Sun's heat and keep them cool during the day, but their bodies need to keep warm from the extreme temperature drop experienced in the evenings (often 40-50 degrees Fahrenheit difference). During the day, when the desert temperature soars over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, many animals will be found sleeping in underground burrows or hiding from the Sun in the shade. Since the desert lacks large water sources, many of the animals of the desert have adapted to the environment. This allows them to go extended periods of time without water, and sometimes food. Many animals of the desert also can store food as fat in their body to use for energy later if food becomes difficult to find.
Armadillo Lizard (Cordylus cataphractus)
Armadillo lizard in its defensive posture.
The armadillo lizard feeds on mainly insects and spiders during the daytime. The length of an armadillo lizard's body ranges from 15-17 inches while its tail can reach a length of 14-16 inches. Generally, an armadillo lizard can weigh between 8-17 pounds. The armadillo lizard can be found in the deserts of southern Africa.
When threatened by predators, the armadillo lizard will curl itself up like an armadillo, with its tail held tightly in its mouth, to protect its soft body while exposing only its spiny back and tail. Only one or two babies are born to the armadillo lizard in late summer. They remain in groups with their family and this family will live
in the cracks between rocks. This lizard is prey to many birds, reptiles and desert mammals.
When threatened by predators, the armadillo lizard will curl itself up like an armadillo, with its tail held tightly in its mouth, to protect its soft body while exposing only its spiny back and tail. Only one or two babies are born to the armadillo lizard in late summer. They remain in groups with their family and this family will live
in the cracks between rocks. This lizard is prey to many birds, reptiles and desert mammals.
Banded Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum cinetum)
Banded Gila Monster
The Banded Gila Monster is one of the two types of venomous lizards in the world. It's body is cover in pink, orange and red as well as four or five black bands with spots that cover its body. The head is also spotted. A gila monster can reach up to two feet in length and weigh up to three pounds. Their tails and legs are both short and the head and body are large and fat.
Banded Gila Monsters are found mainly in the Mojave Desert which is located mainly in southern California, but also parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. They are another desert animal that hunts during the day. Unlike the Armadillo Lizard, the Gilas spend their life alone, except mating season, and live in underground burrows. They east birds, reptile eggs, smaller reptiles, and rabbits. They are capable of eating larger amounts of food at one time since they are able store fat in their tails and body which can be used for nearly three months.
Mating season for Banded Gila Monsters begins in July and only takes a few weeks for it to lay anywhere between three and fifteen eggs. The eggs are laid in a hole and covered in sand. About thirty days later, the babies are born at a length of 3.5-4.5 inches. Once the eggs hatch, the baby gilas are able to survive without their parents.
Banded Gila Monsters are found mainly in the Mojave Desert which is located mainly in southern California, but also parts of Utah, Nevada and Arizona. They are another desert animal that hunts during the day. Unlike the Armadillo Lizard, the Gilas spend their life alone, except mating season, and live in underground burrows. They east birds, reptile eggs, smaller reptiles, and rabbits. They are capable of eating larger amounts of food at one time since they are able store fat in their tails and body which can be used for nearly three months.
Mating season for Banded Gila Monsters begins in July and only takes a few weeks for it to lay anywhere between three and fifteen eggs. The eggs are laid in a hole and covered in sand. About thirty days later, the babies are born at a length of 3.5-4.5 inches. Once the eggs hatch, the baby gilas are able to survive without their parents.
Coyote (Canis latrans)
Coyote
Coyotes have a tan coat with brown, gray and some black mixed in. This helps them hide in the desert regions as well as hunt for their prey. Coyotes have a great sense of sight, hearing and smell. They can grow to be four feet long and two feet tall weighing as much as thirty pounds. coyote can live alone, in pairs, or in groups. By spring, the coyote pups are born. The female can have 3-12 pups and both parents will care for and feed them.
Coyotes are often found in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and also in different habitats. They eat mostly rabbits and other small rodents, but can hunt larger animals like sheep, goats and antelope. During the winter months, coyotes may eat dead elk or deer. Fruit and nuts will also be eaten if they are available.
Coyotes are often found in the U.S., Canada and Mexico and also in different habitats. They eat mostly rabbits and other small rodents, but can hunt larger animals like sheep, goats and antelope. During the winter months, coyotes may eat dead elk or deer. Fruit and nuts will also be eaten if they are available.
Fennec Fox (Fennecus zerda)
Fennec Fox
Fennec foxes can be found in the Sahara Desert, the Sinai Peninsula and the Arabian Peninsula. They are nocturnal and are adapted to the heat of their desert habitat. A fennec fox will burrow underground. Their diets consist of lizards, birds, bird eggs and other small rodents. They may also be found eating berries.
The fennec fox is the smallest of the Canidae family (wolves, foxes, coyotes) averaging 15 inches in length and weighing between 3 - 3.5 pounds. Their large ears help keep them cool by radiating the heat from their bodies. Their great hearing helps find prey on and below the desert grounds. A fennec fox will have long, thick hair to protect them from the sun as well as keep them warm during the cooler desert nights. Fennec foxes live in small families of around ten. The litters of a fennec fox are usually between two and five young.
The fennec fox is the smallest of the Canidae family (wolves, foxes, coyotes) averaging 15 inches in length and weighing between 3 - 3.5 pounds. Their large ears help keep them cool by radiating the heat from their bodies. Their great hearing helps find prey on and below the desert grounds. A fennec fox will have long, thick hair to protect them from the sun as well as keep them warm during the cooler desert nights. Fennec foxes live in small families of around ten. The litters of a fennec fox are usually between two and five young.
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium brasilianum cactorum)
Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy Owl
The Pygmy Owl averages at 6.5 inches in length and weighs in at only 2.5 ounces. The females generally weigh slightly more. The back feathers of a Pygmy Owl are brown, the underside is cream with brown stripes, the top of their head is streaked and the back of their head has two black eye spots outlined in white.
These owls live in southern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. They hunt birds, lizards, insects, smaller rodents, frogs and worms during the day. In late April, an owl will lay three to five eggs in the hole of a tree or cacti. Twenty-eight days later the eggs will hatch and both parents will feed them. The babies will not leave the nest for about a month, and stay near their parents until they are comfortable to be on their own.
These owls live in southern Arizona and northwestern Mexico. They hunt birds, lizards, insects, smaller rodents, frogs and worms during the day. In late April, an owl will lay three to five eggs in the hole of a tree or cacti. Twenty-eight days later the eggs will hatch and both parents will feed them. The babies will not leave the nest for about a month, and stay near their parents until they are comfortable to be on their own.