There may be fewer than 90 adult addax left in the wild; perhaps as few as 30. The Sahara includes at least part of 10 countriesMorocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, and Sudanplus the territory of Western Sahara. The African silverbill is a sociable bird that perch atop trees in large flocks often huddled close together for long periods of time. It also finds its place on our list of What Animals Live In The Sahara Desert?. The desert monitor (Varanus griseus) is a carnivorous lizard species found in the Sahara Desert. In fact, around 6,000 BC, some of the early Egyptians living there would herd cattle and build big structures in the Sahara desert. While most of us are searching for ways to burn off fat and slim up our bodies, camels are actually evolved by nature to carry extra fat around to survive! Sahara, (from Arabic ar, desert) largest desert in the world. A team led by Egyptian scientists have dug up a 43 million-year-old fossil in the Sahara Desert in Egypt of a now-extinct amphibious four-legged whale. . It stands 1m tall at the shoulders, and its long, straight horns are almost as tall again, reaching 75 cm in length. These medium-sized, ground-dwelling birds are seed-eaters. The word "Sahara" is the Arabic word for desert. Frogs, toads, and crocodiles live in the lakes and pools of the Sahara. During dry periods the water-holding frog is able to aestivate. Aestivation is a state similar to hibernation, in which the frog becomes inactive in order to conserve energy. They will probably not be able to adapt to human threats and global warming fast enough to survive however, and need our help. 2. It inhabits deserts and other dry habitats, such as scrublands and grasslands. Actually, it is a highly adaptive member of Canidae, the family of dogs. All camel spiders have four pairs of legs and a pair of additional, leg-like structures called predipalps, which are used for sensing and feeding. Many animals and plants call this desert home. ANIMAL LIFE Hundreds of species exist in the Sahara desert, ranging from reptiles to mammals. This small toad is found in deserts and other dry habitats in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. It is one of the largest North American hares. Sentries survey the landscape for threats, and will alert the group using different alarm calls depending on the threat. They are able to run up to 40 miles an hour, almost as fast as the gazelles. The Sahara Desert is not inhabited by mammals and big animals. Free shipping for many products! The animals in the list below all live in hot deserts such as the Sahara Desert and Kalahari Desert in Africa, the Sonoran Desert and Mojave Desert in North America, the Great Victoria Desert in Australia, and the Arabian Desert in the Middle East. Some scientists estimate that the Sahara became arid about two to three million years ago, while others contend that it happened before this. The greater roadrunner is one of two species of roadrunner, the other being the lesser roadrunner (Geococcyx velox), which is found in Mexico and Central America. The jerboa's range extends from Asia west southwestward across northern Africa. Some dung beetles just burrow into the dung they find and make it into a home, chewing their way out when they get hungry. Distribution, Habitat and Diet. The climatic and geographical conditions makes it one of the very harsh and inhabitable regions on the planet. Oil, natural gas, and coal reserves have been discovered all over northern Africa and particularly have been exploited by various countries, such as Egypt, Libya, and Algeria. (60 cm) in length including the tail, which is around 1 times the length of the body. Females weigh around 12 kilograms and the males weigh 16 kilograms. The dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), a small gazelle species, inhabits the Sahara Desert and surrounding grasslands. Although these industries have introduced potentially high-wage jobs to the Sahara, they are also responsible for the displacement of desert peoples from their traditional modes of existence and have contributed to the increasing overcrowding and poverty in developed regions. The sand cat is usually either nocturnal or crepuscular (active at dawn or dusk). ActiveWild.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon stores. Some examples of desert animals include snakes, lizards, scorpions, camels, foxes, big cats, and antelopes. The highest point in the Sahara Desert is the volcano Emi Koussi in Chad. New study finds world's largest desert, the Sahara, has grown by 10 percent since 1920 | NSF - National Science Foundation National Geographic Society. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 after hundreds of amazing fossils were discovered in the area. Desert kangaroo rats live in areas with loose sand, often dune terrain. The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world. These creatures have longer legs than other ants and produce heat shock proteins before exiting their burrows. The plateaus of the Sahara, such as the Tademat Plateau of Algeria, are typically covered with angular, weathered rock. Also known as African hunting dogs, African wild dogs are equipped with unique patterns on their coat, consisting of black, brown, yellow and white colors. Below you can see that the month-to-month weather in Merzouga boasts clear skies year-round. They hunt for food at night. -The Sahara contains over 300 species of migratory bird populations with water and shore birds and many other types of birds. When a predator approaches, the gazelles highly attuned body will automatically jump. It is a living tin-opener, making carrion accessible for smaller vultures and other scavengers who cant break through the tough hides. However, populations of this bird are estimated to be declining steadily. Let us know in the comments below; wed love to hear your views! Deserts Of The World With Facts & Pictures, Click here to get your free desert animals question sheet, Rainforest Animals List with Pictures & Facts, Arctic Animals List with Pictures & Facts, Antarctic Animals List with Pictures & Facts, Australian Animals List with Pictures & Facts, African Animals List with Pictures & Facts, Animals: The Ultimate Guide to the Animal Kingdom, Mesozoic Era Animals List: Amazing Animals That Lived In The Mesozoic Era, Beetle Facts: What Is A Beetle? What is the modern economy of the Saharan Desert like? The lakes and pools of the Sahara also contain algae and brine shrimp and other crustaceans. The Sahara sits atop the African Shield, which is composed of heavily folded and denuded Precambrian rocks. 70 mammalian species, 90 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles, and several species of spiders, scorpions, and other smaller forms of life, call the Sahara Desert their home. Hamsters are able to carry large amounts of food in the cheek pouches useful if they come across more food than they are able to eat in one sitting. Comparable to other species of predatory mammals, the Saharan cheetah is an obligate carnivore. At first look, golden jackal resembles a small wolf. The Sahara desert, located in North Africa, is the largest hot desert in the world and one of the hottest places on Earth with average summer temperatures of 104 degrees Fahrenheit and yearly rainfall of only 1 to 4 inches. Sadly they have been hunted to the point where there are only around 500 left. Camels are used for transport, food and clothing. The Arabian sand gazelle (also known as a reem) is a small antelope. They are active either at twilight or at night, thereby avoiding the hottest hours of the day. credit of image : Profberger at English Wikipedia . Their name derives from their horns, which they use to protect their eyes from the sand as well as to blend in the environment for protection. The sidewinder is a species of rattlesnake that inhabits desert regions in California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. The lakes and pools of the Sahara also contain algae and brine shrimp and other crustaceans. They live in big groups of 10-80 animals and forage together. Today there are around 850 Arabian oryxes living in the wild. Relict tropical fauna of the northern Sahara include tropical catfish and chromides found at Biskra, Algeria, and in isolated oases of the Sahara; cobras and pygmy crocodiles may still exist in remote drainage basins of the Tibesti Mountains. Home Animal A-Z 6 Unique Animals in Sahara Desert You Never Know. The dorcas gazelle is well-adapted to life in the desert. Instead they get most of the water they require from their almost completely carnivorous diet. Prowling the North Western Sahara is the African cheetah, an elusive cat that leaves people with many questions about this desert predator. The Sahara Desert is usually imagined as a vast, parched, lifeless stretch of sandy landscape with scattered nomadic tribes and their domesticated camels. Camel spiders are also known as wind scorpions, sun spiders and solifuges. Using this adaptation, the lizard can drink from the dew that forms on its body overnight. Among all animals, this is the deadliest animal in the Sahara desert. You can also read these specific kind of desert animals you must know. For more details, and a selection of other question sheets, see this page: Free Printable Worksheets. Not all deserts are hot. It gives a light source to the Dragon Tree. Heat is dissipated by blood vessels in the ears. Plants and Animals of the Sahara Desert. . Compared to the other species of cheetahs, Saharan cheetahs are a bit different. The species is found in Asia, where it inhabits deserts (including the Gobi desert) and other dry, open habitats. They feed on grasses and leaves of desert plants and obtain water from their food and dew. The Sahara Desert or Sahara is the largest desert in the world and covers most of North Africa. Wow! Links to further information are provided for many of the animals. The greater flamingo is the largest of the six species of flamingo, and one of only two found outside of the Americas. These arachnids feature specialized adaptations that . The red-spotted toad spends much of its time sheltering from the sun in rocky crevices near streams. It often favors arid sandy habitats such as the Gobi Desert, where temperatures may fall to near zero during the cold of winter, and the Sahara Desert, where temperatures may rise to more than 130 degrees Fahrenheit in the heat of . The black-faced firefinch (Lagonosticta larvata) is a common bird belonging to the estrildid finch family of Africa. ~ Apart from being a major food source for the animals of the desert, thyme is commonly used in African and Middle Eastern cuisines. (10 cm) long and 2 in. The shallow, highly salty waters of the Makgadikgadi Pan are surrounded by the Kalahari Desert. The wild Bactrian camel is said to be able to tolerate water even saltier than seawater. They live in underground holes. Corrections? Author of. - Video & Lesson Transcript | Study.com The Sahara Desert hosts an incredible array of species that are well-adapted to survive in the extreme desert climate. Both Bactrian camels have two humps, but those of the wild Bactrian are smaller. Small, thickset, herbivorous mammals, the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) is found across sub-Saharan Africa. It is smaller than a domestic cat, and has pale, sandy-colored hair, which is often marked with darker spots or stripes. Click the picture above for more details &to view free sample pages! , Its a great website and I had lots of fun filling out the worksheets. It lives underground in tunnels, where it hunts earthworms and other invertebrates. The highest point in the desert is the 11,204-foot (3,415-metre) summit of Mount Koussi in the Tibesti Mountains in Chad. Tarantula hawk wasps are large wasps of genus Pepsis. This desert is not like any other. These hoofed mammals are a common sight in many desert regions, where they were domesticated around 4,000 years ago. Fennec foxes are mostly found in North Africa and in the sandy areas of the Sahara Desert. Can plants and animals survive in the Sahara Desert? These include bushy eyebrows, double-layered eyelashes, and nostrils that can close up completely, all of which provide protection from sand storms. This encouraged both, animals and humans to move into the areas. Among the mammal species still found in the Sahara are the gerbil, jerboa, Cape hare, and desert hedgehog; Barbary sheep and scimitar-horned oryx; dorcas gazelle, dama deer, and Nubian wild ass; anubis baboon; spotted hyena, common jackal, and sand fox; and Libyan striped weasel and slender mongoose. These include a sandy colored coat that provides camouflage, and a burrowing lifestyle. Their mouth have some special parts that they use to get nutrients from the droppings of the other animals. All of us know how hot it is in the Sahara, however, there are still hundreds of animal species inhabiting and thriving there. A number of other factors affect climatic variability within the Sahara as well: topography does so, as do ocean currents, the latter of which are responsible for the slightly cooler and more humid conditions found on the deserts western margins. The Sahara desert is very rich in fossils of extinct wildlife. It is a resident bird of dry savanna regions of Africa bordering the Sahara Desert. Some jerboas can hop more than ten times their own body length! The ends of its horns curve inwards. Active Wild Pinterest Active Wild Facebook, Click on the image below to see this weeks animal, (Press your escape key or click the close button below to close this message.). Hundreds of animal species call the desert home, but scorpions are one of the most commonly associated with the arid region. Designated as vulnerable by the IUCN, only 35,000-40,000 of these animals exist today. Keep on reading my other blogs to find out about endangered animals as well as extinct animals in the Sahara . . The biggest threat to the species is illegal hunting. The species is also known as both the white antelope and the screwhorn antelope due to its pale coat and long, spiral horns. This is a fabulous kid friendly site, Thanks so much, Youre welcome, thank you for stopping by! These gazelles are active between dusk to dawn when they forage for leaves, fruits, twigs, and flowers of desert vegetation. Other organisms, although adapted more for a Mediterranean or tropical climate than an arid one, have persisted in the Sahara mostly by sticking to its slightly more hospitable highlands and oases. Source: worldatlas.com. The various snails that inhabit the desert are an important source of food for birds and animals. They are however very good at crossing the Sahara sands on their flat feet. This type of scorpion is translucent and yellow in appearance, and is among the most venomous animals of the Sahara desert, and the entire world. Examples of desert animals include invertebrates such as scorpions and camel spiders; reptiles such as the thorny devil, Gila monster and sidewinder rattlesnake; mammals such as thefennec fox, meerkat, dromedary and Bactrian camel; and birds such as the sandgrouse and lappet-faced vulture. It is most often seen during periods of rainfall, when it emerges from its hiding place. The Namaqua sandgrouse (pictured above) is found in Southern Africa, including the Kalahari Desert and the Namib Desert. It has a bald, pink / red head and a powerful bill, which is almost 4 in. A critically endangered species, the addax antelope (Addax nasomaculatus) is rarely sighted in the Sahara. It only emerges after a period of heavy rain, when it makes its way to a swamp or waterhole in order to breed. So, lets see each of these animals that inhabit Sahara Desert along with their unique characteristics. Most Sahara Desert inhabitants are nomads. If disturbed, it will quickly retreat into a burrow or other shelter. It has long thorns that hold . This is the Sahara. Animals. There are also indigenous names for particular areassuch as the Tanezrouft region of southwestern Algeria and the Tnr region of central Nigerwhich are often of Berber origin. Though boasting an extremely low primary productivity, the Sahara does manage to support some life. Desert . The greater roadrunner can run at speeds of up to 26 mph (41.8 km/h) faster than any other non-flightless bird (even record-breaking sprinter Usain Bolt can only reach this speed for a few seconds in a race). Around 600 live in the Lop Nur Wild Camel National Nature Reserve in China. The conditions may be daunting, but the animals that live there are up for the challenge. The onager is one of the worlds fastest mammals. 4. (Mesquite is a small tree that grows in deserts and other dry habitats.). Mulgaras are in the same family, Dasyuridae, as the Tasmanian devil and the quolls. The deathstalker is one desert animal you probably dont want to encounter. Gila Monster Sand sheets and dunes cover approximately 25 percent of the Saharas surface. Saharan rock art is a significant area of archaeological study focusing on artwork carved or painted on the natural rocks of the central Sahara desert.The rock art dates from numerous periods starting c. 12,000 years ago, and is significant because it shows the culture of ancient African societies.. While many people think of deserts as lifeless locations, they are actually quite diverse and rich in life. Using its specially-adapted wing-cases, the beetle can collect minute droplets of water from the early morning fog. Various halophytes (salt-tolerant plants) are found in saline depressions. The marsupial mole, an Australian desert animal, is an example of convergent evolution. It is also found in northern Mexico. Beware of their existence. After World War II, prospecting revealed that the Sahara was laden with oil and mineral resources, which have served as a major attractor of international investment since. They look ephemeral and fragile, but they are incredibly dangerous, capable of causing respiratory failure and death. The danger posed by these desert animals is often exaggerated. The Dorcas gazelles are considered as one of the smallest animals in the world. It feeds on birds, insects, and rodents. The Major Parts Of The Sahara Desert In Africa, Meet 12 Incredible Conservation Heroes Saving Our Wildlife From Extinction, India's Leopard God, Waghoba, Aids Wildlife Conservation In The Country, India's Bishnoi Community Has Fearlessly Protected Nature For Over 500 Years, Wildfires And Habitat Loss Are Killing Jaguars In The Amazon Rainforest, In India's Sundarbans: Where People Live Face-To-Face With Wild Tigers, Africa's "Thunderbird" Is At Risk Of Extinction. The marsupial mole is blind, and probably uses a well-developed sense of smell to find its food. Here the list of 10 amazingly adaptive Sahara desert animals. 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