Weird Desert Animals
Deserts are often uninhabitable because they lack water, vegetation, and other life forms. In addition, their harsh climates make them sterile. The desert is home to some bizarre creatures living in hot sand, where temperatures can reach up to 50 degrees. These animals have adaptations to help them survive harsh conditions. Here are some weird animals found in the desert. The desert tortoise is a reptile native to North America and is similar to a turtle, except that they lack shells. They have been around for millions of years, and even though they’re slow-moving and hard to find, they still survive in harsh conditions. They live up to 50 to 80 years, grow slowly, and generally have a low reproductive rate. Desert tortoises spend most of their time in caves or rock shelters to regulate body temperature and reduce water loss.
The Gila monster, also called the Mexican lizard, is a venomous lizard species native to Mexico and part of the southwestern United States. It is a slow-moving reptile up to 56cm long and the only venomous lizard native to the United States. Its name came from the Spanish word “Gilab,” which means a monster. The Gila monster is referred to as a horned viper due to its long fangs and spiny back scales. The Gila monster spent most of its lifetime underground in burrows or Rocky shelters. During the dry season, they are active in the morning.
Desert woodrats are rodents native to the desert region of the western and central United States. They are small mammals with short legs, tails, and soft fur covered with fine hair. Woodrats are nocturnal animals that spend their days underground in burrows, feeding primarily on roots, bulbs, corms, tubers, and seeds. Desert woodrat’s coloring varies between individuals and can be anything from nearly black to gray to cinnamon. They have long whiskers, long ears, and narrow snouts.