Plants have deep roots which search out what little water there is and many animals lead nocturnal lives going out at night in search of food and moisture then sleeping in the shade during the day, avoiding the worst of the heat. Trees such as mimosas, gum trees and acacias can be found throughout the Sahara region. Desert creatures include gazelles, desert foxes, sandfish, gerbils and scorpions. Other animals found in Mali are antelopes, giraffes, cheetahs, leopards, lions , baboons, and hippopotamuses, which can be seen along the River Niger. The countries of the Sahel region are at risk from the increasing encroachment of the desert.
Desertification is a result of environmental problems such as deforestation and soil erosion.
Another important environmental issue for the people of Mali is the lack of safe drinking water. Mud brick is the traditional building material in this part of the world. The mosque has wooden staves for builders to climb and apply more layers of mud when repairs are needed. The Dogon people are famous for having built houses in the cliffs along the Bandiagara escarpment which is to the east of Mopti. The population of Mali is over ten million people, it is made up of many different peoples .