The climate in deserts is practically the same year-round throughout Asian deserts. The average is 32 degrees at night and 113 degrees during the day. Most of the deserts are between the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn. It is very, very dry and hot in daytime. In many deserts when the sun sets temperatures can drop dramatically to even below freezing. It is mainly dry because light winds evaporate most of the moisture out of the air. Any desert has to have less than 10inches of rainfall a year to be a technical desert, but the Gobi desert in China averages about 7.6 inches per year.
ADAPTATIONS:
* Small animals like mice, voles, and rats burrow underground during the day to protect themselves against the heat of the day.
* Certain lizards like the Gila monster can store water in their tails for future use. Some plants can also store water in their stems, roots, or leaves.
* Animals like rabbits have long ears to get rid of body heat so they can stay cooler while in the sun.
* Since water is scarce animals have adapted to get the amount of water they need be taking it from plants.
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:
Why would being nocturnal help an animal who lives in the desert?
What are some ways animals get water when it does not rain for a very long time?
What are some ways plants get water if it does not rain for a very long time?
ADAPTATIONS:
* Small animals like mice, voles, and rats burrow underground during the day to protect themselves against the heat of the day.
* Certain lizards like the Gila monster can store water in their tails for future use. Some plants can also store water in their stems, roots, or leaves.
* Animals like rabbits have long ears to get rid of body heat so they can stay cooler while in the sun.
* Since water is scarce animals have adapted to get the amount of water they need be taking it from plants.
ASSESSMENT QUESTIONS:
Why would being nocturnal help an animal who lives in the desert?
What are some ways animals get water when it does not rain for a very long time?
What are some ways plants get water if it does not rain for a very long time?