Animals in the Sahara have to adopt to dry conditions, fierce winds, intense heat and cold. The Sahara has about 70 species of mammals, 90 species of birds, 100 species of reptiles and many insects. These include:
We were unable to find fish living in the Sahara Desert.
ANIMALS
Animals (Amphibians)
One of the main frogs that live in this desert is the Sahara Frog (Pelophylax saharicus). They are extremely adaptable and sturdy. They can prosper in many habitat types including rivers, freshwater lakes, arable land, ponds, and irrigated land.. The number of Sahara frogs in the Sahara Desert are relatively high.
Interesting Facts:
-The Sahara frog is native to Algeria,Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Spanish North Africa, Tunsia, and Western Sahara.
-In french, it is called grenouille vert d'Afrique du Nord
-In spanish it is known as rana verde norteafricana. Its natural habitats are rivers, freshwater lakes, arable land, ponds, and irrigated land.
One of the main frogs that live in this desert is the Sahara Frog (Pelophylax saharicus). They are extremely adaptable and sturdy. They can prosper in many habitat types including rivers, freshwater lakes, arable land, ponds, and irrigated land.. The number of Sahara frogs in the Sahara Desert are relatively high.
Interesting Facts:
-The Sahara frog is native to Algeria,Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Spanish North Africa, Tunsia, and Western Sahara.
-In french, it is called grenouille vert d'Afrique du Nord
-In spanish it is known as rana verde norteafricana. Its natural habitats are rivers, freshwater lakes, arable land, ponds, and irrigated land.
Animals (Amphibians)
The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is from the Sahara Desert. The Gila monster has a pretty large body and they actually eat so much that thirty five percent of their weight is because of the amount of food they consume. They normally feed on mammals, lizards, birds but they also can eat reptile eggs. They spend a majority of their time under the shade or under rocks. Also, since they eat so much, they store their fat not only in their bodies but in their tails too!
Interesting Facts:
-The Gila monster is one of only a handful of venomous lizards in the world
-The Average life span of this amphibian is 20-30 years
-They spend more than 95% of their lives underground burrows.
The Gila Monster (Heloderma suspectum) is from the Sahara Desert. The Gila monster has a pretty large body and they actually eat so much that thirty five percent of their weight is because of the amount of food they consume. They normally feed on mammals, lizards, birds but they also can eat reptile eggs. They spend a majority of their time under the shade or under rocks. Also, since they eat so much, they store their fat not only in their bodies but in their tails too!
Interesting Facts:
-The Gila monster is one of only a handful of venomous lizards in the world
-The Average life span of this amphibian is 20-30 years
-They spend more than 95% of their lives underground burrows.
Animals (Reptiles)
The fringe-toad lizard (Acanthodactylus) are lizards of the genus Uma in the family Phrynosomatidae. These lizards have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. They generally prefer dry regions and vegetated areas. They eat a variety of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders. In addition, they also have prominent elongated scales which form a fringe on the sides of their hind toes. These fringes aid with traction and speed, and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes.
Interesting facts:
-From November through February the lizards hibernate buried in the sand or down rodent burrows away from the cold.-Females are in breeding condition from May into July or August, and can lay clutches of one to five eggs.
-These lizards are flattened to help them dive into sand.
The fringe-toad lizard (Acanthodactylus) are lizards of the genus Uma in the family Phrynosomatidae. These lizards have a brown and tan coloration that helps them to blend in with the sand. They generally prefer dry regions and vegetated areas. They eat a variety of insects such as beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders. In addition, they also have prominent elongated scales which form a fringe on the sides of their hind toes. These fringes aid with traction and speed, and help the lizard avoid sinking into loose, sandy dunes.
Interesting facts:
-From November through February the lizards hibernate buried in the sand or down rodent burrows away from the cold.-Females are in breeding condition from May into July or August, and can lay clutches of one to five eggs.
-These lizards are flattened to help them dive into sand.
Animals (Reptiles)
The Monitor Lizard (varanus) is a highly dangerous lizard. Its venom can be compared to that of deadly and venomous snakes. These carnivores usually eat tiny animals such as insects, rats, and other mammals. The Monitor Lizards are cold-blooded reptiles and they grow well in warm weathers. When it gets cold, these lizards become very aggressive. The monitor lizard is mainly found in jungle areas although some species of monitor lizard are water-bound.
Interesting Facts:
-Monitor lizards adapt well into different environments
-Female monitor lizards bury their eggs in holes of hollow tree stumps that they then cover with dirt in order to protect her eggs.
-Female monitor lizards can lay up to thirty eggs at a time.
The Monitor Lizard (varanus) is a highly dangerous lizard. Its venom can be compared to that of deadly and venomous snakes. These carnivores usually eat tiny animals such as insects, rats, and other mammals. The Monitor Lizards are cold-blooded reptiles and they grow well in warm weathers. When it gets cold, these lizards become very aggressive. The monitor lizard is mainly found in jungle areas although some species of monitor lizard are water-bound.
Interesting Facts:
-Monitor lizards adapt well into different environments
-Female monitor lizards bury their eggs in holes of hollow tree stumps that they then cover with dirt in order to protect her eggs.
-Female monitor lizards can lay up to thirty eggs at a time.
Animals (Reptiles)
The Sahara Sand Viper (Cerastes vipera) is mainly found in sandy soil and eats rodents, lizard and bird prey. They hunt at night only. They are mainly active when the temperature is really high. The female ones are generally larger than the males. They all grow between 8-14 inches and sometimes have horns over each eye.
Interesting Facts:
-These snakes are capable of "sinking" quickly down into loose sand, using their keeled, angled and serrated lateral scales in a rocking motion
-The Sahara Sand Vipers are ambush predators that lie buried in the sand, waiting for prey to happen by.
-This reptile has a short temper and will strike several times. Its venom is hemotoxic.
The Sahara Sand Viper (Cerastes vipera) is mainly found in sandy soil and eats rodents, lizard and bird prey. They hunt at night only. They are mainly active when the temperature is really high. The female ones are generally larger than the males. They all grow between 8-14 inches and sometimes have horns over each eye.
Interesting Facts:
-These snakes are capable of "sinking" quickly down into loose sand, using their keeled, angled and serrated lateral scales in a rocking motion
-The Sahara Sand Vipers are ambush predators that lie buried in the sand, waiting for prey to happen by.
-This reptile has a short temper and will strike several times. Its venom is hemotoxic.
Animals (Birds)
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is an endangered species that roam around the Sahara Desert. They are known to have high speed and can eat grass seeds to survive. They have long necks to watch potential threats coming its way. They don’t need water but will use it if available.
Interesting facts:
-An ostrich can run at an average of 40 miles per hour
-Ostriches are the largest birds in the world
-Their hooves are cloven with only two toes, which makes it very easy for them to travel long distances.
The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is an endangered species that roam around the Sahara Desert. They are known to have high speed and can eat grass seeds to survive. They have long necks to watch potential threats coming its way. They don’t need water but will use it if available.
Interesting facts:
-An ostrich can run at an average of 40 miles per hour
-Ostriches are the largest birds in the world
-Their hooves are cloven with only two toes, which makes it very easy for them to travel long distances.
Animals (Birds)
Another bird is the secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
This bird eats insects when it's young but as they grow they start to eat things like small mammals or reptiles. These bird like to live in open areas. The young ones are eaten often by other bird such as the crow or the raven. The secretary bird is traditionally admired in Africa and has an ability to deal with pests and snakes.
Interesting facts:
-Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days, although the third egg is most often unfertilized.
-The secretarybird was supposedly named because it resembles an old-fashioned secretary carrying quill-pens tucked behind her ears.
-Although it can fly, the secretary bird prefers to move around on foot and can cover 30 kilometers per day.
Another bird is the secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius)
This bird eats insects when it's young but as they grow they start to eat things like small mammals or reptiles. These bird like to live in open areas. The young ones are eaten often by other bird such as the crow or the raven. The secretary bird is traditionally admired in Africa and has an ability to deal with pests and snakes.
Interesting facts:
-Secretary birds lay two to three oval, pale-green eggs over the course of two to three days, although the third egg is most often unfertilized.
-The secretarybird was supposedly named because it resembles an old-fashioned secretary carrying quill-pens tucked behind her ears.
-Although it can fly, the secretary bird prefers to move around on foot and can cover 30 kilometers per day.
Animals (Mammals)
The Fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is a mammal that dwells in the sandy Sahara Desert. These omnivores eat plants but also eat rodents and insects. A fennec fox's typical den is dug in sand, either in open areas or places sheltered by plants with stable sand dunes considered to be their ideal habitat. They have an ability to survive a long time without water. They are the smallest foxes and are sometimes hunted for their fur. Male foxes mark their territory with urine and when mating season comes, they are very aggressive. These animals are endangered because of their use of skin for medication. The fennec fox has a life span of up to 14 years in captivity.
Interesting Facts:
-Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat
-The coat is often a cream color and fluffy, which deflects heat during the day and keeps the fox warm at night
-The ears of a fennec are sensitive enough to hear prey that may be underground
The Fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is a mammal that dwells in the sandy Sahara Desert. These omnivores eat plants but also eat rodents and insects. A fennec fox's typical den is dug in sand, either in open areas or places sheltered by plants with stable sand dunes considered to be their ideal habitat. They have an ability to survive a long time without water. They are the smallest foxes and are sometimes hunted for their fur. Male foxes mark their territory with urine and when mating season comes, they are very aggressive. These animals are endangered because of their use of skin for medication. The fennec fox has a life span of up to 14 years in captivity.
Interesting Facts:
-Its most distinctive feature is its unusually large ears, which serve to dissipate heat
-The coat is often a cream color and fluffy, which deflects heat during the day and keeps the fox warm at night
-The ears of a fennec are sensitive enough to hear prey that may be underground
Animals (Mammals)
The jerboa (Euchoreutes naso) is a rodent that can withstand extremely harsh conditions like that of the Sahara Desert. This nocturnal creature escapes predators by its amazing jumps. With a speed of 16 miles per hour, the jerboa presents a challenge for predators who want to catch it. Surprisingly, the jerboa doesn't drink water. Instead, it extracts as much water as possible from food. These rodents usually eat plants, insects, and seeds.
Interesting Facts:
-The average lifespan for this rodent is six years
-The tail of the jerboa is larger than the head and body
-They normally hop a distance of 10-13 centimeters.
The jerboa (Euchoreutes naso) is a rodent that can withstand extremely harsh conditions like that of the Sahara Desert. This nocturnal creature escapes predators by its amazing jumps. With a speed of 16 miles per hour, the jerboa presents a challenge for predators who want to catch it. Surprisingly, the jerboa doesn't drink water. Instead, it extracts as much water as possible from food. These rodents usually eat plants, insects, and seeds.
Interesting Facts:
-The average lifespan for this rodent is six years
-The tail of the jerboa is larger than the head and body
-They normally hop a distance of 10-13 centimeters.
Animals (Mammals)
Camels (Camelus) adapt to environments like the Sahara Desert very well. They can last a very long time without food or water because of the amount of fat it has in it body and water in their stomach. In general, camels are herbivores so they pretty much eat anything such as grains and wheats. Camels can run as fast as 65 mph. They also have extremely long eyelashes to keep the sand out. Camels are highly adapted to arid conditions. They are members of the family Camelidae and they are thought to have originated in North America in the Eocene.
Interesting Facts:
-Camels can go for two months without water and can fun for hours without stopping
-A camel has two toes and a pad on each foot. These leathery pads spread as the camel walks on the desert sand, making it easier to walk on soft sand without sinking.
-The camel's thin legs are strong enough to carry not only its body weight, but also loads of cargo weighing 500 to 1,000 pounds.
Camels (Camelus) adapt to environments like the Sahara Desert very well. They can last a very long time without food or water because of the amount of fat it has in it body and water in their stomach. In general, camels are herbivores so they pretty much eat anything such as grains and wheats. Camels can run as fast as 65 mph. They also have extremely long eyelashes to keep the sand out. Camels are highly adapted to arid conditions. They are members of the family Camelidae and they are thought to have originated in North America in the Eocene.
Interesting Facts:
-Camels can go for two months without water and can fun for hours without stopping
-A camel has two toes and a pad on each foot. These leathery pads spread as the camel walks on the desert sand, making it easier to walk on soft sand without sinking.
-The camel's thin legs are strong enough to carry not only its body weight, but also loads of cargo weighing 500 to 1,000 pounds.
Animals (Mammals)
The African Lion (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) is a mammal with both beauty and strength. These animals feed on large animals like the giraffe and the zebra but also on the small ones like reptiles. The lion population in Africa has dramatically decreased since the 1950s. They weigh about 330-500 pounds and also, the female lions are generally smaller than the male lions.
Interesting Facts:
-African Lions run over 50 miles per hour.
-Compared to the males, the female lions do almost all of the hunting.
-They mate any day of the year and when the female lions are to give birth, the amount of child per time is about 3-4 cubs.
The African Lion (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) is a mammal with both beauty and strength. These animals feed on large animals like the giraffe and the zebra but also on the small ones like reptiles. The lion population in Africa has dramatically decreased since the 1950s. They weigh about 330-500 pounds and also, the female lions are generally smaller than the male lions.
Interesting Facts:
-African Lions run over 50 miles per hour.
-Compared to the males, the female lions do almost all of the hunting.
-They mate any day of the year and when the female lions are to give birth, the amount of child per time is about 3-4 cubs.
Animals (Mammals)
The Saharan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) is an endangered species. These animals have a sort of white color fur with some spots and sometimes has stripes. In the desert, the Saharan Cheetah normally eats animals like the camel and goats. They also eat smaller animals like the hare. These animals can last without water for a long time just by drinking the blood of its preys. The Saharan Cheetah normally stays in mountainious areas, where they can access water.
Interesting Facts:
- The Saharan Cheetah can survive in the temperature as low as 43 degrees!
- They are also known as the Northwest African Cheetah.
-The total world population is about 250 individuals.
The Saharan Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus hecki) is an endangered species. These animals have a sort of white color fur with some spots and sometimes has stripes. In the desert, the Saharan Cheetah normally eats animals like the camel and goats. They also eat smaller animals like the hare. These animals can last without water for a long time just by drinking the blood of its preys. The Saharan Cheetah normally stays in mountainious areas, where they can access water.
Interesting Facts:
- The Saharan Cheetah can survive in the temperature as low as 43 degrees!
- They are also known as the Northwest African Cheetah.
-The total world population is about 250 individuals.