deserts

• Characteristics of hot deserts

  • Very little rainfall (250 mm per year)
  • Mostly hot and sunny
  • Extreme temperature change (45°C during day to 0°C at night)
  • Lack of leaf fall limits soil fertility
  • Little rainfall means soil is often dried out
• Plant growth in hot deserts

  • Sparse
  • Usually low and short (e.g. low shrubs)
• Animals in hot deserts

  • Mammals tend to be small and nocturnal
  • Birds tend to leave during harshest conditions
• People in hot deserts usually grow few crops near natural water sources, usually in the desert fringes
• Indigenous people in hot deserts are often nomadic and keep traveling around to find food and water
• Plant adaptations in hot deserts

  • Small leaves to reduce water loss by transpiration
  • Tap roots 7-10 m long to access deep water supply
  • Spines instead of leaves to prevent water loss
  • Thick waxy skin on leaves to reduce water loss by transpiration
  • Water storage in stems, leaves, roots or fruits
• Camel adaptations


  • Long eyelashes, hairy ears and flaring nostrils to keep out sand
  • Thick eyebrows to shade eyes from sun
  • Wide feet to avoid sinking into sand
  • Can go without food or water for over a week
  • Store fat in humps
  • Can change body temperature to avoid water loss through sweating
  • Well camouflaged with thick fur to keep warm at night