Plant survivors
It is very difficult
for plants to survive
without much rainfall.
The cactus is a clever plant
because it collects water when it
rains and stores it for dry periods.
Big thirst
A camel can survive
for about three weeks
without water. When
it does drink, it
can take in a
huge amount.
Night hunters
During the day,
salamanders hide
in deep underground
burrows. They come
out at night and feed
on worms, insects, or
other salamanders.
Desert records
Hot and cold deserts
are full of extremes,
so they hold quite a
few impressive records.
Animal survivors
Desert animals have had
to develop ways to keep
cool and watered.
Some cacti have
spines instead
of leaves, some
have hairs. Spines
protect the cactus
from being eaten
by animals.
Cactus
Tiger
salamander
Camel
Driest hot desert:
is the Atacama Desert
in South America.
Coldest desert:
Antarctica is the coldest
(and driest) desert.
Hottest desert:
the
Sahara Desert is the
hottest in the world.
Biggest hot desert:
the Sahara Desert covers
one third of Africa.
Rainfall:
a desert must
have less than 2.5 cm
(10 in) of rain per year.
One Cardon cactus grew
to 20 m (63 ft) in the Sonoran Desert.
Desert regions
171
A camel’s hump contains
fat that con be broken
down to releases water.
