Deserts

1. Definition: A region so arid because of little rainfall that it supports only sparse and wildly spaced vegetation or no vegetation at all. Deserts

2. What Are The Features? The features of a desert include very little rainfall. A desert can be defined that gets 250mm of rain a year! Which actually classifies Antarctic as a desert. Deserts take 20% of the Earths land. Even though there is so much desert in Australia only 3% of the population live in it. Apart from Antarctica We are the driest country of all. Some of these deserts include the Sahara (hottest in the world) and Kalahari of Africa. Some deserts in Australia include the Gibson and the Great Victoria Deserts. The hottest temperature in a desert was recorded by a satellite in the Lut Desert in Iran at 70.66 degrees. The coldest temperature was -89.2 in Antarctica. Of course this doesn’t happen every day and may never happen again, the average hottest temperature is 38 Celsius but at night -3.9. Deserts are all over the world This is how much of Australia the Great Victoria Desert takes up of Australia Deserts around the world

3. The Camel Scientific name: Camelus Camels have been around for thousands of years. So long the bible even mention camels a few times. Camels are thought to have originated in North America. They grow up to about 2 meters. There are different typesof camels some of which have 1 hump and some have 2. There are 7 breeds of camels, the camels are called the Dromedary, Bactrian and others. A camel lives up to 50 years and can weigh 1000 Kg. The first camel brought to Australia was from the canary islands in 1840. The first time the camel was in use he travelled for 8 days without giving water to the camel. The second time the pair travelled for 17 day and the camel only got 1 bucket of water on the 12th day. Camels kept being imported to Australia until 1907.

4. The camels adaptation The adaptations of a camel have changed for the very good. It has long thick eye lahes to keep the sand out of their eyes. It’s hooves have gotten wider and have leathery padding on the bottom to stop the sand burning. They also have got them on their knee caps so they can sit down. The most noticeable is the 2 or 1 big hump(s) on their back. The humps store fatty tissue that helps them have ongoing energy. And the legs of the camel have become bigger and stronger.

5. The Cactus A cactus is an amazing plant can go up to 10 days without water. It has very large roots that suck up moisture from the soil. It is also very clever and can collect dew that has fallen off the cactus. The cactus is a flowering plant, and has been known to go as far back as 15,00 years. Adaptations: The adaptation of the cactus has helped it survived without water for very long. It’s roots have grown larger, spikes have grown to protect it from animals eating it. And it’s got a waxy skin to protect it from the sun.