Desert Ecosystems

What Is a Desert Ecosystem?

Word of the Week

Transpiration

Transpiration is the process of water vapor escaping a plant through the small openings in the leaves and stems.

Because water in the desert is scarce, many plants have adapted to reduce water loss through transpiration by having small leaves.

Species Spotlight

Fennec Fox | Vulpes zerda

Known for their huge ears, fennec foxes are one of the smallest (and cutest) canines in North Africa! They are found throughout the Sahara Desert and have amazing adaptations that help them survive in hot desert ecosystems. Fennec foxes have fur on their paw pads that protect their feet from the hot sand. They also pant, just like a dog, allowing heat to escape their bodies. Because of their small size, they can be easy prey for Verreaux’s eagle-owls and jackals, but their tan color helps them camouflage to avoid predators. Their huge ears are not only good for hearing prey and predators, but they also assist in keeping them cool!

They often dig burrows in the sand to stay cool during hot days and stay hidden from predators. Fennec foxes are nocturnal and come alive at nighttime to hunt for grasshoppers, locusts, small rodents, lizards, birds, and their eggs. They usually live in family groups with up to 10 foxes and communicate by barking, howling, and squeaking. Fennec foxes are threatened by climate change, diseases passed from domestic dogs, the fur trade, and the pet trade.

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BRAIN BLAST

Identify 3 adaptations that fennec foxes use to survive in the hot deserts of Africa. Do any other desert animals have these same adaptations? If so, who?

Conservation Corner

Water Conservation

Water is an incredible thing! Not only do all plants and animals need water to survive, but we can also create renewable energy using water. Freshwater resources are limited, so we must all do our part to conserve water and keep it clean so we can use it for generations to come. You can help keep our waterways clean by not dumping chemicals, reducing the amount of trash you produce, and disposing of items properly. There are also many things you can do to help reduce your water use, such as...

Take shorter showers. You can even set a timer to see how quickly you can bathe.

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth, wash your face, or shave.

Store rainwater to use in your garden or on your house plants.

Only run your washing machine and dishwasher when they are completely full.

Quiz

Quiz Printable

Desert Dwellers

Match each adaptation to the correct desert animal.

Desert Dwellers Printable

Desert Challenges

Designing Desert Animals

Using what we just learned about the adaptations that help desert animals survive, design the perfect desert animal!

Beginner

From the list, circle the adaptation that would best fit a desert animal.

Once you have identified the adaptations, get creative and draw your animal!
Worksheet
Expert

Describe how each trait below would be most beneficial for an animal in the desert.

Once complete, get creative and draw your desert animal!
Worksheet