Page 83 - World of Animals - Issue #39

Wildlife of the Sahara Desert
082-085 WildlifeofSahara.indd
Surviving the desert
At around the size of the United States, the
Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert on
Earth, and its harsh conditions make day-to-
day survival very difficult. The desert stretches
for more than 9.4 million square kilometres
(3.6 million square miles) across most of
northern Africa, spreading across 11 countries.
But while many view the Sahara as a vast
sea of sand dunes, the landscape is actually
quite varied. In fact, it is mostly made up of
rocky plateaus, where animals shelter among
the rocks or in their underground burrows,
away from the scorching heat.
The winds in the northeast of the desert can
reach hurricane speeds, creating turbulent
sand storms and dust devils that sweep
across the desert. Rainfall is very scarce, but
when rain does fall it is usually torrential.
Some areas of the Sahara receive less than
250 millimetres (one inch) of rain per year, and
so finding an oasis can provide a vital lifeline
for wildlife.
With blisteringly hot days and bitterly cold
nights, you would be forgiven for thinking few
animals live here. But among the sandy plains
and rocky plateaus, an entire ecosystem lives
and thrives.
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