At Home in the Desert

A desert is very dry and often very hot. But many animals call it home. Meet 6 of them that live here.

Read It!

 

  • Many desert plants are sharp and prickly.
  • A desert tortoise can go a long time without eating or drinking. It avoids the hot sun by staying in its burrow.
  • A roadrunner is better at running than flying.
  • Javelinas (hah-vuh-LEE-nuz) root in the soil to find food. They often get the water they need by eating cactus plants.
  • A cactus wren builds its nest in the branches of a prickly cactus.
  • A rattlesnake shakes its tail to make a rattling sound. This warns enemies to stay away.
  • A coyote looks for small animals to catch and eat. If it can’t find any, it will eat cactus fruit instead.

 

Watch a roadrunner catch a lizard!

roadrunner video

 

Watch a rattlesnake shake its tail!

rattlesnake video

  • More Animal Stories