DESERT ANIMALS in America!

The deserts of the United States are home to many interesting desert animals.

In order to survive, these animals have adapted to the harsh terrain of the arid landscape.

Small, hard and scrambling desert animal!

THe MOJAVE DESERT forms a large part of southern California.  Within it are smaller desert areas, some with slightly different terrain and vegetation.  Throughout the whole area, you can see the Desert Tortoise, measuring about a foot.  This creature often get his liquid, a necessity in the hard dry dessert, from eating various kinds of prickly pear cactus.  The broad flat sections of the cactus, as well as the fruit that comes after the plant flowers, are a source of moisture and food.

Desert animals wearing a coat!

Within the Mohave Desert is the very colorful and interesting area called Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, which is in the state of Nevada.  This area is known for its boldly colored red rock outcrops that emerge from the land.  There is often more vegetation in this area due to below ground springs, and it is enough to support WILD BURROWS and DESERT COTTONTAIL RABBITS that live there, scavenging for growth to eat.

(Desert Cottontail photo credit: Jarek Tuszynski)

Desert Animals can have unique coloration

Some creatures have skin, often with texture, that camouflages them from their predators.  Many horned lizards live in the American deserts, and one of the most common is the Texas Horned Lizard, that grows from 3-4 inches long.  Sometimes these are called “horny toads.”

Much larger is the Gila Monster, the only poisonous lizard in the United States.  His venom, and his 20″ dominant size, protects him from predators.  His scaly skin can blend in with rocks.  These creatures are very slow moving, and prefer deserts with succulent vegetation.

A small creature known as the Kit Fox lives in the desert and shares the color of the sand.  His ears are very large and he can detect predators easily.  He is a carnivore, and eats creates smaller than himself, and will also eat carrion that has been killed by a larger animal.  He stays out of the sun as much as possible, and prowls at night.

 Quick-moving desert animals

The Fringe-toes Lizard, can be found the the sandy deserts of the American southwest.   This fast little creature is about 8″ long, and has fringe-like scales on his rear feet.  The scales provide more traction so he can scurry along quickly when he is being pursued.  He can even burrow quickly into soft dsand dunes to hide.

Another speedy creature is the Roadrunner, who can run at 20 miles an hour.  These are also known as chaparral birds, and live in the deserts of the southwestern US and desert land in Mexico.  The measures anywhere from 18″ to 20″ long, from beak to tip of tail.

Help your students learn more about DESERTS and desert animals!

Our CartoCraze! Expanded Map Workshops are digital files that can be shared by everyone in your school.

SPECIAL:  A membership is FREE this year, all of 2016, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary— just order 500 maps or more, and your school will receive these 44 digital files that cover DESERTS, MOUNTAINS, RIVERS and ISLANDS.

For a FREE taste of one of our DESERT files, see this free file about the SAHARA DESERT, HERE.