Deathstalker Scorpion |
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These types of arachnids are one of the most iconic creatures in any desert. Commonly found in Egypt, they prefer temperatures 23 Celsius or 75 Fahrenheit and are nocturnal hunters. It's diet mainly consists of worms, crickets, and other scorpions. Although ranging from an average of 3 to 4 inches, this scorpion should not be messed with. (As with other scorpions.) Despite it's larger looking pincers, it uses it's poisonous stinger more often to attack others and defend itself. This scorpion lives up to it's name as it is the third most poisonous scorpion in the world. Although ranging from an average of 3 to 4 inches, their venom is so terrifying, they are banned in many countries. They are also extremely aggressive, especially when trapped.
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Desert Monitor
This lizard is also known as the grey monitor, they average about 1 meter in length. These lizards mostly stay in their burrows and go out rarely only to find food. In fact the desert monitor is inactive for more than half a year! They hibernate from September to April and are only active from May and July. The temperature of the Sahara Desert helps the desert monitor a lot. Although most lizards are affected by the heat of their environment because they are cold blooded, the desert monitor is affected a lot more. These lizards are most active in the heat as it affects their running speed from 3 meters a second at 37 degrees Celsius. But if the temperature drop below 21 degrees Celsius, they become terribly sluggish. No wonder they only come out during the hottest months! In fact, when pursued by predators or enemies at this temperature, instead of trying to run away like they do on hot days, they stand their ground and become very aggressive. In fact, they become more aggressive the lower the temperature.
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By Knockout mouse - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6296226
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Horned Viper
The horned viper is very easy to recognize by the two devil horns on it's head. Mostly found in North Africa and some Sub Saharan areas, it can also be found in neighboring oriental countries from time to time. It's average length is around 30 to 60 centimeters. It's colouring matches with the environment it is found in. This camouflage helps it hide from predators and hunt lizards, small non-flying birds, and other small mammals. It hides in the sand and waits to ambush prey. The horned viper's venom consists of 13 different toxins, but not immediatly lethal. The horned viper moves by "sidewinding". "Sidewinding" helps these snakes move across loose sand easily. Be warned! This sidewinding technique may mislead you into thinking the snake . is moving sideways when it could be moving towards you! |
Ostrich
The ostrich is rarely the first animal people think of when they think desert animal. But native to the Sahara Desert, the ostrich is a flightless but fast bird. They are the fastest running bird on the planet, it can run up to 70 km / h. Not only is it the fastest, it also is one of the largest birds! These birds normally eat plants like shrubs or fruit and flowers, they also have a tendency to eat insect pests like locusts. Because they live in one of the hottest, waterless deserts, the ostrich can extract water easily from plants and live for days without water. Their incredible speed and stamina are a very important asset to crossing the desert. Their impeccable eyesight is also a great advantage avoiding predators and finding shelter.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Ostrich_male_RWD.jpg
The ostrich is rarely the first animal people think of when they think desert animal. But native to the Sahara Desert, the ostrich is a flightless but fast bird. They are the fastest running bird on the planet, it can run up to 70 km / h. Not only is it the fastest, it also is one of the largest birds! These birds normally eat plants like shrubs or fruit and flowers, they also have a tendency to eat insect pests like locusts. Because they live in one of the hottest, waterless deserts, the ostrich can extract water easily from plants and live for days without water. Their incredible speed and stamina are a very important asset to crossing the desert. Their impeccable eyesight is also a great advantage avoiding predators and finding shelter.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/28/Ostrich_male_RWD.jpg
Resources
"Cerastes Cerastes." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Desert Monitor." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 10 May 2016.
"10 Incredibly Adaptive Sahara Desert Animals - Conservation Institute." Conservation Institute. 2013. Web. 10 May 2016.
"The Five-striped Smooth-tail." Deathstalker Scorpion. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Deathstalker Scorpion." Scorpion Facts and Information. Web. 10 May 2016.
"The Desert Horned Viper." The Desert Horned Viper, Cerastes Cerastes. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Cerastes Cerastes." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Desert Monitor." - Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 10 May 2016.
"10 Incredibly Adaptive Sahara Desert Animals - Conservation Institute." Conservation Institute. 2013. Web. 10 May 2016.
"The Five-striped Smooth-tail." Deathstalker Scorpion. Web. 10 May 2016.
"Deathstalker Scorpion." Scorpion Facts and Information. Web. 10 May 2016.
"The Desert Horned Viper." The Desert Horned Viper, Cerastes Cerastes. Web. 10 May 2016.