Going to the desert, under certain conditions, is risking your life. And despite this, some animals only exist in the desert. These animals’ characteristics have adapted to high temperatures, water scarcity, and long walks. Let’s discover everything about them!
MAMMALS
We begin the review of the animals that only exist in the desert with mammals and, in this case, with the desert animal par excellence.
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Camel
Both camels and dromedaries are endemic desert animals. What’s more, they are one of the official transports of these complicated areas. In both Asia and Africa, the number in the hundreds of thousands, and, despite popular belief, the hump does not store water but the fat that maintains itself for days. The life expectancy of camels and dromedaries can reach half a century, and they are very easy to tame due to their docile and calm character. Despite measuring almost two meters, they do not usually attack humans unless they feel attacked. In that case, they either spit in the eyes (care that burns) or kicks that can cause severe trauma.
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Addax
Without a doubt, Addax is one of the most beautiful animals that only exist in the desert. It is a large antelope (it can exceed 100 kg and a meter in height), whose ringed horns are a real marvel. Related to the Oryx of Arabia, it usually moves through desert areas without problem since it can feed on the little vegetation. His secret is to keep strength and rest during the day, to carry out all his activities at dawn.
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Coyote
The Coyote is located in the deserts of North America, between Canada and the United States. The funny thing is that, in the mountains of California, there is a native species of Coyote located in the mountainous deserts of the area, where the vegetation is almost nil and the water minimal. It is a dangerous carnivore with little room for concessions.
BIRDS
Let’s check out the birds that only exist in the desert, starting with, perhaps, the most famous bird in the desert (thanks to some legendary cartoons):
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Roadrunner
Yes, just like in the Looney Tunes cartoons, the roadrunner lives in the desert. And yes, the Coyote does regularly chase you, with more success than the animations show. This striking bird is native to the desert area of the border between Mexico and the United States. It is one of the fastest birds on land, as it can exceed 30 km / h, using its tremendous tail to turn quickly and avoid many predators. Its diet is based on small reptiles and insects that it hunts using its plumage, similar to the color of the earth, with which it is easily hidden.
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Flamingos
It’s hard to believe, but flamingos are native birds of the Atacama desert in northern Chile. The vast majority of them live and coexist in the Chilean National Reserve of Flamingos. Although the climate and conditions are deserts, they have rivers and water to drink, which has allowed them to survive for a long time.
INSECTS
The insects that exist only in the desert are almost more dangerous than elsewhere on the planet; it can emerge from under the sand undetected. In fact, with some, you have to be extremely careful.
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Camel spider
They are only one year old, and this is due to their frantic metabolism. The camel spider is a large, hairy arachnid that survives best in desert environments. Of course, they look for shade in which to take refuge all the time. It is common to see them run from one shadow to another and think that they will attack us. Better to think about it because they are very poisonous. They feed on other even larger insects such as scorpions, which they paralyze with their venom to later dismember and sprinkle with digestive juices, thus facilitating subsequent digestion. As a precaution, when a camel spider falls into the water and seems dead, be careful because it is not, and when it comes out and dries up, it returns to its natural state.
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Beetle
When we talk of desert animals, we definitely can’t forget one of the most representative for centuries, the beetle. Considered sacred in Ancient Egypt, his image transporting food balls through the desert is typical in all documentaries of desert animals. The dung beetle is the most common in arid areas, where it survives based on intelligence and two measures that it has been carrying out since the desert is desert. To get water, he stands still long enough for the water particles in the dawn mist to condense on his body. As for food, although everyone knows it, it is difficult to assume that the beetle feeds on feces. The balls of food that it carries are made of stool that it compacts and gives them a rounded shape to transport them easily.
FISH
Obviously, fish that only exist in the desert are rare. Arid areas, with almost no water and unbearable temperatures, make their survival difficult.
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Sandfish
Halfway between the fish and the reptile, the sandfish digs tunnels under the sand and moves through them as if it were underground. Hence its nickname. With a size of around 20 cm, its ability to dig allows it to escape the desert’s intense heat, as the sand is not so hot as they go inside. Obviously, its tunnels also give it the option of escaping from predators. Tunnels through which it moves, undulating its body and propelling itself like a worm, with the legs close to the body for better aerodynamics. Watching the sandfish move one meter below the sand is a unique and wonderful experience.
AMPHIBIANS
The amphibians that exist only in the desert have special abilities that help them survive in desert environments.
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Australian wineskin toad
Located in Australia’s most arid areas, this toad clarifies that animals’ adaptations to specific environments are almost incredible. And it is because your body allows you to store water in your bladders. Thus, the Australian wineskin toad can spend long periods without having to get water.
REPTILES
We finish the review of the animals that only exist in the desert with reptiles and, in this case, with one of the greatest predators.
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African crocodile
Another animal that, centuries ago, was revered and considered a deity. In fact, the Egyptians even mummified it when it died. At present, it is located in the area of the Sahara Desert that belongs to Mauritania, where it is one of the most lethal predators in the area. His armor protects him from the sun, although he must look for some water to cool off from time to time.