Mojave Desert Biome

1. Mojave Desert Biome Kortny Case and Jamie Reed

2. Biome Description Average amount of precipitation-less than 10 inches a year Soil is fertile because plant life exists.

3. Biome Description Average temperature-8°F-119°F Located in South Eastern California

4. Characteristic Plant Life There is a mixture of small and large plant life in the Mojave desert but more smaller plants overall. Joshua Tree Mojave prickly poppy

5. Desert Tortoise Habitat: The desert tortoise inhabits semi-arid grasslands, gravelly desert washes and sandy canyon bottoms below 3,500 ft. 3 Adaptations:Muscular front legs with long claws to dig deep burrows to escape the heat. Gular horn on the front of their lower shell to fight other males. They can store up to one quart of water in their bladder and they feed on plants in the spring so they have enough water to last all year. Niches:

6. Desert TortoiseBecoming Extinct Human activity that is causing the desert tortoise to become endangered is when humans go near or touch them. Also illegal collection for the pet trade, destruction of their habitats. Things that could be done to help prevent this species from becoming extinct is the military can move their practice ranges to a confined area and people can keep their distance when they see a desert tortoise. The effect of human activity is the people are destroying the homes of the tortoises and they can’t survive in the heat. Also when people go near the desert tortoise they often get frightened and this causes them to empty their bladder and the loss of water can be fatal.

7. Armadillo Lizard Habitat: The Armadillo lizard usually goes into rock crevices for shelter. Niche: 3 Adaptations: The nostrils of the Armadillo Lizard are formed into little tubes. The tubes help the Armadillo Lizards smell for food or predators. Their flat bodies are very helpful for them when they are trying to get to shelter. Their spiny scales protect them from predators.