What are deserts like? Are they all the same?
Deserts can look very different. Some are sandy, and some are rocky. They can be flat or filled with mountains. They are not all the same.
How much rain or snow does a desert typically receive in a year?
Deserts typically receive fewer than 25 centimeters of rain or snow in a year.
Is it true that deserts have no living things in them? Why or why not?
No, it's not true. Deserts do have living things. Plants and animals can be found in every desert, adapted to the dry conditions.
Can you name one plant that grows in the deserts of North and South America?
Cactus plants grow in the deserts of North and South America.
What's special about cactus plants that help them survive in deserts?
Cactus plants have thick waxy skin and sharp spines that help them conserve water and deter animals.
Where can you find saxaul plants, and what is their special feature?
Saxaul plants grow in the deserts of Asia. They can store water in their bark, which can be pressed to get drinkable water.
What happens to land when it turns into a desert, and why do people need to leave their homes?
When land turns into a desert, the soil washes away, making it difficult to grow food. This forces people to leave their homes.
How much of the Earth's land is covered by deserts?
About one-third of the Earth's land is covered by deserts.
Why do deserts continue to grow larger over time?
Deserts continue to grow larger due to activities like deforestation, large-scale farming, and overgrazing by livestock, which lead to soil degradation and dese
What are some special adaptations that plants and animals in deserts have to survive with very little water?
Some special adaptations include thick waxy skin and sharp spines in cactus plants, and water storage in the bark of plants like saxaul. Desert animals often ha
