What animal is called the ship of the desert? | Reference.com What animal is called the ship of the desert? A: Quick Answer Camels are sometimes called "ships of the desert" because of their importance in travel and trade in desert environments. Camel's unique adaptations made them ideal animals for carrying goods and people across long distances, similar to how ships allow people to travel across oceans. Full Answer Prior to the invention of trucks and airplanes, desert peoples relied on camels for transportation because other large animals like horses and cattle could not withstand the harsh environment. Camels are able to travel long distances with very little food or water, even when carrying people or freight. This was especially important when crossing large, empty expanses of desert in which people were unable to resupply. Camels were used as "ships of the desert" in Africa and Asia and were imported to Australia to work in the harsh Outback environment. Why is the Camel Called the “Ship of the Desert” and How do they Walk Differently from Other Animals? @ Super Beefy | Filed Under: Animals Leave a Comment There is the obvious reason why the camel called the “ship of the desert”. Camels can make it across a desert carrying goods, as a ship crosses an ocean.

That said, if you’ve ever ridden a camel, you will see another very clear similarity between a camel ride and a ship voyage. Camels move the legs on each side of their bodies together, their two right legs step forward, and then their two left legs follow. This is different from many other four-legged animals, which move diagonally opposite leg pairs together. As a result, the camel’s motion is extremely rocky. Many travelers have tales of “seasickness” upon their first few rides aboard the hump of the desert ship, also called a camel. Read More Also, any literature on baseball written in the 1800's does not credit Abner Doubleday with the invention either. But if my... 2016-12-28T23:28:08+00:00 I'm not saying that whoever wrote this did not research this at all but I am saying this explanation of the origins of baseball... 2016-12-28T23:19:30+00:00 IT TOOK ME OVER WINTER BREAK 12 DAYS 3 HOURS 5 MINUTES AND 36 SECONDS.

2016-12-28T02:49:36+00:00 The math here is false. The fundation of how this was worked out is how long it takes to count to 100 in seconds; which is fine... 2016-11-08T22:41:08+00:00 I've always wanted to know where that word got its etymology from and what the word truly meant. My parents and grandparents... 2016-10-27T04:26:31+00:00 Camel - Asian Camel, Dromedary Camels, Dromedary Camel of India Camel Also known as : Ship of the Desert Type : Single-humped Water retaining capacity : Five liters The camels found in India are the single-humped camels, also known as the Dromedary camels. Long-curved neck, deep-narrow chest and a single hump characterize the Indian camel. The hump is used by the camels as reservoir of fatty tissues. In times of scarcity, the tissues are metabolized and the camel receives energy.

The size of the hump is not the same in all the camels. It differs from one camel to another, depending upon its nutritional state. In times of starvation, the hump can get reduced to almost a non-existent size. Indian dromedary camels have a heavy growth of hair on throat, shoulder, and hump, which is longer than the rest of the body. On an average, the camels in India live for a period of 40 to 50 years. They are widely used by the people of Rajasthan as a means of transportation. Infact, the camels are known as the 'Ship of the Desert'. They are used for carrying goods as well as people. Indian camels also provide humans with milk, meat, wool, leather and fuel (from their dried dung). Natural Habitat One can mainly find camels in the desert, dry arid regions of the country, especially the state of Rajasthan. Diet Camels primarily survive on an herbivorous diet, consisting of thorny plants and dry grasses. Behavior Dromedary camels can be usually seen in groups, consisting of anywhere between two to twenty members.

In every group, there is one male member who dominates the rest of the members, which comprise of females, sub-adults and young ones. While moving in a group, one can see the dominant male directing the group from the rear, while the female members lead at the front. Mating Behavior Indian camels attain maturity at the age of 4 to 5 years. They give birth to one offspring at a time and the gestation period is around fifteen months. The young ones are raised by their mother for a period of two years after their birth, after which they attain adulthood. Camels have the ability to endure wide changes in their body temperature as well as water content. Their body temperature may vary as widely as being 41 deg C (106 deg F) in the daytime and being 34 deg C (93 deg F) at night. Only when they cross this limit do they begin to sweat, thus helping them save upto five liters of water in one day. Indian camels can cope up with as much as twenty-five percent weight loss, caused by sweating. The thick coat of a camel reflects sunlight and serves as insulation from the heat of the sand.

Camelidae - camels, llamas, alpacas, vicugnas | Wildlife Journal Junior Home | Wild Files | N.H. Animals | Animals A-Z | Watch Online Camelidae - camels, llamas, alpacas, vicugnas The six species in this family are found in two groups. Camels are found in Asia and Africa. Llamas, alpacas, and vicugnas are found in South America. The species in this family are large and most of them have been domesticated. They are herbivores and have three-chambered stomachs. Their top lip is split into two and they can move each part separately! They have long necks and a small head and long legs with padded feet with two large toes. They live in small groups made up of females and their young and one adult male. Although there are no living species of camelidae family in North America today, the fossil record shows that the family started and evolved there. Scientists have found preserved remains in the La Brea Tar Pits near Los Angeles. The members of the camelidae family that were in North America probably resembled llamas. Members of this family migrated to South America and Asia over land bridges.

By the end of the last glacial age, they had become extinct in North America. The bactrian camel is found in the Gobi desert in Mongolia and China. The Gobi desert is a cold desert and the bactrian camel has many adaptations that help is survive in a cold desert habitat. It has two humps on its back. The hump is not filled with water; it is filled with fat. The camel uses this stored fat when water and food are scarce. While the bactrian camel doesn't store water in its humps, it does have special sack in its stomach that can hold over a gallon of water, and it can go a few days without drinking. In the winter, it has a thick, shaggy coat that helps keep it warm. Its bushy eyebrows; long double rows of eyelashes; and nostrils and lips that close tightly help keep sand out of its eyes, nose, and mouth. The bactrian camel stands as tall as seven feet from its shoulder to its feet and can weigh up to 2,000 pounds. The bactrian camel is an herbivore and eats grass, leaves, thorns, and bark. It prefers salty plants.

It has tough lips that let it eat very hard vegetation. Most bactrian camels are now domesticated and there are only a few hundred in the wild. The dromedarian camel is found in the deserts in Africa and the Middle East. It has one hump that stores fat, not water. It stands 6-7 feet from its shoulder to its feet. It has long legs and padded feet with two toes. It has a long, curved neck and a small head with a long snout with nostrils that can close. Its upper lip is split into two sections, and it can pull its lips in tightly to keep out sand. It is light brown in color and has a shorter coat than the bactrian camel. It eats a wide variety of plants and can eat tough and hard plant parts that other animals can't chew or digest. It prefers salty plants. The llama, the guanaco, and the alpaca. They are all native to the Andes Mountains in South America and they are all herbivores. The only wild species is the guanaco. The llama and the alpaca are domesticated. The guanaco is found in the grasslands of the Andes Mountains.

It has a small head, long legs, and a long neck. It is about 3.5 feet tall from shoulder to feet. It has a shaggy, reddish-brown coat and is white on its undersides. Like the camels, it has a split upper lip. It eats grasses and shrubs. The guanaco lives in groups of females and their young and one adult male. It can run at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour. The guanaco is a protected species in Chile and Peru. The llama and the alpaca are descended from the guanaco. The llama was domesticated from the guanaco 4,000-5,000 years ago. Llama were used as pack animals. The llama is 5.5-6 feet tall from head to toe. It has two toes on its padded feet and can easily grip the rocky surfaces in its mountain habitat. The llama has long, shaggy fur. Its fur can vary in color from reddish-brown, to white, black, brown, or a combination of colors. Llama fur is used to make clothes. The alpaca was also domesticated from the guanaco.

The alpaca is slightly smaller than the llama. It is about 5 feet tall from its head to its toes. It looks like the llama. Unlike the llama, the alpaca is not used as a pack animal, but its soft, shaggy fur is used to make clothing. The vicugna is found in the plains and grasslands of the Andes Mountains. It is the smallest member of the camelidae family. It is three feet tall from shoulder to feet. It has a slender body; a long neck; thin legs; and long, silky fur. It is a reddish-brown on its uppersides and white on its undersides. It has a mane of hair on its chest. The the vicugna is also known as the vicuña. World Status Key Did you know that camels were domesticated more than 3,000 years ago? Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Alpacas spit when they are angry.

Source: Los Angeles Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes The native range of the alpaca is the central and southern Andes from Peru to Argentina. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes All domestic camels are descended from the Bactrian camel. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No All domestic camels are descended from the Bactrian camel. Source: BBC Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Wild Bactrian camels live in northwestern China and Mongolia. Wild Bactrian camels are critically endangered. Source: National Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Bactrian camels can drink 30 gallons of water in just 13 minutes. Yikes! Source: Los Angeles Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Bactrian camels have two humps.

Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Bactrian Camel - Camelus ferus Bactrian camels have pads on their knees that protect their skin when they kneel on the rocky ground. Source: Minnesota Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Bactrian Camel - Camelus ferus Camels are called the 'ship of the desert'. They have been domesticated as beasts of burden longer than any other mammal. Source: Utah's Hogle Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Bactrian camels can reach seven feet in height and weigh up to 1,500 pounds. Source: Lincoln Park Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Wild Bactrian camels are adapted to handle the extreme temperature changes found in the wild. Source: Chicago Zoological Society Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Long eyelashes and elongated nostrils protect Bactrian camels from blowing dust and sand. Source: St.

Louis Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes The Bactrian camel's two humps contain fat, not water. Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No Dromedary - Camelus dromedarius The dromedary's hump stores up to 80 pounds of fat that a camel can break down into water and energy when food and water is not available. Source: National Geographic Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Dromedary - Camelus dromedarius The Arabian camel eats plants. They have a leathery mouth that lets them eat thorns and dry vegetation. Yum! Source: The Living Desert Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Dromedary - Camelus dromedarius The dromedary eat practically anything that grows in the desert, including salty plants rejected by other grazers. Source: Oakland Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes The dromedary has one hump.

Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes The dromedary has padded feet that help it walk on the hot sand! Source: Enchanted Learning Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary School Teacher Section: No This South American animal is related to camels and, like camels, they were were domesticated. Source: San Diego Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: No Guanaco - Lama guanicoe The guanaco is the largest wild member of the camelid family in South America, and is believed to be the ancestor of the domestic llama. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No Guanaco - Lama guanicoe The guanaco is found from southern Peru down the Andean zone of Chile and Argentina to Tierra del Fuego and Navarino Island. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes Guanacos are usually found in small herds or loosely structured family groups.

Source: Animal Planet Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No The scientific name for llama is Llama glama! That's just fun to say! Source: Brandywine Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes The llama has a four-chambered stomach. Source: Honolulu Zoo Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Llama - Lama glama The llamas native range is the Andes mountains, but they are no longer not found in the wild. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes The vicuña is the smallest member of the camelid family. Source: Arkive Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle School Teacher Section: No The vicuña lies in the Andes of southern Peru, western Bolivia, northwestern Argentina, and northern Chile. Source: Animal Diversity Web Intended Audience: General Reading Level: Middle/High School Teacher Section: Yes The vicuña's coat is very thick and traps warm air.

Source: Edinburgh Zoo Intended Audience: Students Reading Level: Elementary/Middle School Teacher Section: Yes Explore the Natural World - Local & National PBS Video Quick Links These Animals Found in the Gobi Desert are Really Intriguing Follow Us These Animals Found in the Gobi Desert are Really Intriguing Gobi Desert is home to some of the most fascinating members of kingdom Animalia, and that isn't surprising considering that the fossil remains recovered from this region reveal that it has had its share of dinosaurs and other large land mammals in the past. Advertisement Enlarge Image The Gobi Desert is the largest desert in Asia, and the fifth largest in the world. Located in northwestern China and spread to southern Mongolia, it is both hot and cold desert. Extreme climate and temperature fluctuations, at times within 24 hours, are characteristic features of this region. For a region marked by such weather extremes, Gobi boasts of being highly diverse in terms of fauna. The animals found here range from tiny insects to large mammals like the bactrian camel and species like snow leopards which come visiting from the neighboring regions.

Animals of the Gobi Desert Bactrian Camel Camels, also known as the 'ship of the desert', are one of the common animals seen in deserts across the globe. Restricted to the Gobi and Taklamakan deserts, the Bactrian camel has some distinctive features. It has two humps, which stores food in the form of fat, that can be converted into water. This enables the camel to remain without food or water for about two weeks. Camels have long legs and padded feet to prevent their feet from sinking into the sand and help in keeping their body above the hot surface of the sand. Their nostrils also have flaps that help in sealing the nose during a sandstorm, to prevent sand particles from entering it. They can bear the extreme heat and they have thick coats to reflect the sun's rays. Gobi Bear The Gobi bear (Ursus arctos gobiensis) is much smaller than its cousins, the brown bears. This bear, also known as Mazaalai bear in local Mongolian language, can be found in the rocky regions of the Gobi desert. It is an omnivore with a diet consisting of berries, grass roots, lizards and mice etc.

It also survives on insects and grasshoppers. These bears practice hibernation or winter sleep. The Gobi bear is on the endangered animals list with only about 30 left. Desert Tarantula Large and hairy, this species of arachnids can be found in burrows, creeks and under rocks. The females are usually larger than their male counterparts. These spiders are seen out during the day and make an appearance at dusk. Being carnivores, tarantulas feed on grasshoppers, beetles, small reptiles like lizards and snakes, frogs and other arachnids. They may also prey on small birds. A tarantula has a very unique way of hunting. It catches the prey and injects a venom into its body, which dissolves the soft tissues. The spider then devours the flesh, leaving the empty shell behind. Golden Eagle The Gobi desert is also home to the golden eagle, which is a large and powerful bird of prey. With a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 meters, this raptor has darker plumage with hints of white on the tail. This may fade as the bird ages.

In the wild, a golden eagle can live up to the age of 18 years. The eagle normally preys on jerboa, but its diet also consists of ground squirrels, large insects, rodents, reptiles etc. It also feeds on carrion, which is the decaying remains of a dead animal. These days, golden eagles are tamed and used for hunting. Gopher Snake A non-venomous desert snake, the gopher snake can grow up to a length that may range between 35 and 96 inches. They have a cream-yellow to green-gray to tan colored body with brown patterns running the entire length of the body. Slow-moving and cold-blooded, these snakes can be seen moving around during the day. But in summers, they become nocturnal, owing to intense heat during the day. This reptile hunts in rocky creeks and burrows where it feeds on desert rodents, lizards and occasionally other snakes. Gray Wolf Canis lupus linnaeus or the gray wolf can be found throughout the Mongolian desert. Being the largest member of the dog family, this animal is highly territorial, marking its boundary from trespassers.

Roaming around in packs, they normally dwell in mountainous regions, with a few of them scattered across the desert. The life span of this animal is approximately six to eight years. Gobi desert wolves normally hunt black-tail antelope, khulan (wild ass), wild camel, argali sheep, ibex, hare, some rodents and other smaller animals in that region. Ibex A type of mountain goat, the Asiatic ibex has a dark brown coat (to combat harsh desert winters), which turn a lighter shade during spring. The striking feature of this wild goat is its large, imposing and curved horns measuring up to two feet. The females have smaller horns, which are pointed at the end. The feet have hooves, that help the animal maintain balance while treading rocky surfaces and cliffs, making them excellent climbers. A herbivore, the ibex feeds on grasses, foliage and stems of shrubs and bushes, and also on lichens. Snow Leopard Inhabiting the higher mountain ridges of the desert, the snow leopard is the biggest member of the cat family. It can be commonly found on the Eastern Gobi desert steppe.

The thick, lush light-colored fur acts as a camouflage for this mammal, while hunting. This powerful predator preys on ibex, wild goat and sheep. In times of food scarcity (during winter), the large cat may hunt on livestock living on the slopes, thereby posing a threat to farmers and herdsmen. Gobi Jerboa A small rodent, similar to a mouse, the jerboa is a mammal living in deep burrows. Having long rear legs and tail, this animal hops around and is known to jump up to 10 feet. Another characteristic feature of this rodent is its oversized ears, which help detect the presence of a predator. There are also tufts of rigid hair at the bottom of the feet which keeps the animal from sinking in the sand. Normally active in the night, jerboas eat grasses, roots, seeds and bugs. Kangaroo Rat Resembling kangaroos, this small rodent can be found living in dens or burrows with wide mouths. The big, rear feet are quite powerful and used for locomotion and digging. They also prevent the animal from sinking into the sand. The kangaroo rat is an expert digger and can create large burrows with passages to different chambers.

It sleeps during the day and comes out at night for feeding. There are small pouches, lined with fur, on either side of the face, which enables the animal to carry seeds for storage. Musk Ox Long-haired and thick skinned, musk ox are found in the northern part of the desert, where the climate is relatively colder. The thick fur offers insulation against the harsh cold of the desert. The males are larger than the females and have imposing horns, used for defense. This animal normally travels in herds and grazes on willow leaves and grass. In summer the ox sheds its thick wool, which is used for making fine cloth. Plate-tailed Gecko Found in the sandy areas of the desert, this reptile is active only at night. The plate-tailed gecko is mostly territorial and can be found in deep burrows, in order to protect itself from heat and cold. This nocturnal lizard feeds on desert insects, especially flying insects. The body of the lizard, which is similar to the color of the sand, with blackish brown markings, offers excellent camouflage for hunting as well as protection from predators. The female lays a clutch, which consists of four eggs, twice a year.

Wild Ass The Mongolian wild ass, also known as khulan, can be found in semi-desert regions, especially in the southern part of the Gobi desert. Resembling a horse in its anatomy, this animal has vocalization similar to the neigh of a horse and bray of a donkey. Sometimes referred to as the Asiatic wild ass, it can be found in large numbers, even up to 500 in a herd. The herd normally grazes on the grass found in the desert steppes. The presence of water below the surface is easily sensed by the animal, where it digs riverbeds to gain access to water. Wild Horse Przwalski's horse, also referred to as Takhi in Mongolia, is a breed of wild horse, the last of the species to live on Earth. This endangered horse with a dun coat, standing four feet tall, has thicker neck, with zebra-like erect mane and shorter legs. This horse normally feeds on the bushes and shrubs growing in the desert. Once found in huge numbers in the Junggar Basin, the wild horse faced the threat of extinction, owing to human habitation. Now they are bred in captivity to stop their number from dwindling.

Gobi Desert Animals Adaptations Every animal adapts itself, to the environment it lives in, in order to survive. According to Darwin's Theory of Evolution, only the fittest animals can survive. As deserts have extreme climate, animals have to adapt themselves accordingly. Given below are some adaptation techniques of the desert animals in their habitat. As the desert is extremely hot during the day, the mammals, amphibians and reptiles go underground and live in holes or burrows in order to escape the scathing heat. Some rodents like the desert rat plug the entrance of their holes to keep out the heat and predators as well. Most of the reptiles like the scorpions and snakes and smaller mammals are nocturnal, i.e. they carry out their activities at night. The Round-tailed Ground Squirrel resorts to estivation, also known as summer sleep, where it goes into a state of dormancy in order to slow down the metabolism and conserve energy and water in its body during hot days. Most of the animals in the desert have light colored bodies in order to dissipate the extreme heat. Some animals also have long body parts like the jackrabbits, who have large ears to dissipate body heat.

In order to minimize loss of water from their bodies, the animals excrete waste in the form of the thick urine or dry feces. Some birds like the vultures have developed the process of urohydrosis where the urine that is eliminated from their bodies flows down their legs, thereby cooling the blood vessels present in the legs and hence reducing the heat from their bodies. They follow this process to eliminate the heat that is absorbed due to their dark-colored bodies. Some other desert animals like the kangaroo rats have specialized organs in their nasal cavities, that help them to filter the moisture from the air that they exhale. There are also certain predators and scavengers that store water in the fatty tissues or extract water from their prey's body. The Gobi has a very harsh and hostile climate, and though it is very hard to survive in these conditions, the Gobi desert animals have adapted themselves very well. They have to face one of life's most difficult challenges everyday - the challenge of survival of the fittest.

Marlene Alphonse Camels - Ships of the Desert Camels - Ships of the Desert A camel stands from 1.8 to just over 2 metres tall at the shoulders, and weighs from 250 to 680 kilograms. Its rope like tail is over 50 centimetres long. Camels seem larger than they are because of their thick, woolly fur, which may be all shades of brown, from nearly white to almost black. An Arabian camel's fur is short and helps protect its body from the heat. A Bactrian camel's fur is longer. It may grow about 25 centimetres long on the animal's head, neck, and humps. All camels lose their fur in spring and grow a new coat. A camel looks sleek and slender for several weeks after losing its coat, but a thick coat of new fur grows by autumn. Camels have callus like bare spots on their chests and on their leg joints. These spots look as though the hair has been rubbed off, but they are natural and not signs of wear. Even young camels have them. Thick, leathery skin grows there and becomes tough when the animal is about five months old.

A camel has large eyes on the sides of its head. Each eye is protected by long, curly eyelashes that keep out sand. In the daytime, when the sun is high, the eyes do not allow excessive light in. Glands supply the eyes with a great deal of water to keep them moist. Thick eyebrows shield the eyes from the desert sun. The camel's small, rounded ears are located far back on its head. The ears are covered with hair, even on the inside. The hair helps keep out sand or dust that might blow into the animal's ears. A camel can hear well, but, like the donkey, it often pays no attention when given a command. The camel has a large mouth and 34 strong, sharp teeth. It can use the teeth as weapons. A camel owner may cover the animal's mouth with a muzzle to keep it from biting. A working camel cannot wear a bit and bridle, as a horse does, because its mouth must be free to chew cud (regurgitated food). Instead, a rope for leading the animal is fastened through a hole near the camel's nose. The hump of a camel is mostly a lump of fat.

Bands of strong tissue hold pads of fat together, forming the hump above the backbone. The hump of a healthy, well-fed camel may weigh 35 kilograms or more. Most kinds of animals store fat in their bodies, but only camels keep most of their fat in a hump. If food is hard to find, the fat in the hump provides energy for the animal. If a camel is starving, its hump shrinks. The hump may even slip off the animal's back and hang down on its side. After the camel has had a few weeks' rest and food, its hump becomes firm and plump again. The hump is not a storage place for water, as many people believe. Camels have long, strong legs. Powerful muscles in the upper part of the legs allow the animals to carry heavy loads for long distances. A camel can carry as much as 450 kilograms, but the usual load weighs about 150 kilograms. While working, the animals typically travel about 40 kilometres a day, at a speed of 5 kilometres an hour. Camels usually walk, especially if it is hot, but when they must go faster they either gallop or pace.

The pace is a medium-speed movement in which both legs on the same side rise and fall together. This leg action produces a swaying, rocking motion that makes some riders "seasick." Camels are sometimes called "ships of the desert." The tough, leathery skin pads on a camel's legs act as cushions when the animal kneels to rest. The camel bends its front legs and drops to its knees. Then it folds its hind legs and sinks to the ground. To get up, the camel straightens its hind legs and then jerks up its front legs. A camel can lie down and get up again even with a heavy load on its back. Camels have two toes on each foot. A hoof that looks like a toenail grows at the front of each toe. Cows, horses, and many other animals walk on their hoofs. But a camel walks on a broad pad that connects its two long toes. This cushion like pad spreads when the camel places its foot on the ground. The pad supports the animal on loose sand in much the same way that a snowshoe helps a person walk on snow. The camel's cushioned feet make almost no sound when the animal walks or runs.

Animals and Transports * Relative to similar armor for a Medium humanoid. Animal Harness Price 2 gp; Weight 2 lbs. This leather or hemp harness allows a holder to restrain and control a domesticated animal. A harness is standard equipment for anyone trying to teach an animal tricks with the Handle Animal skill. Ready-made harnesses are available in most markets for common domesticated animals such as cats, dogs, horses, and oxen, but harnesses can be made for nearly any creature. Axe Beak (Combat TraineD) Price 1,500 gp; Weight 500 lbs. These Large avian predators are sometimes used as hunting animals but are prized as mounts. Axe Beak Egg Price 1,000 gp; Weight 10 lbs. Axe beaks raised from eggs are easily trained as mounts or used as livestock. Badger Price 15 gp; Weight 20 lbs. These fierce, burrowing creatures are only rarely kept as pets. Barding Price varies; Weight varies Barding is a type of armor that covers the head, neck, chest, body, and possibly legs of a horse or other mount.

Barding made of medium or heavy armor provides better protection than light barding, but at the expense of speed. Barding can be made of any of the armor types found on the Armor and Shields table . Armor for a horse (a Large non-humanoid creature) costs four times as much as armor for a human (a Medium humanoid creature) and also weighs twice as much (see the Armor for Unusual Creatures table ). If the barding is for a pony or other Medium mount, the price is only double, and the weight is the same as for Medium armor worn by a humanoid. Medium or heavy barding slows a mount that wears it, as shown on the table below. Flying mounts can't fly in medium or heavy barding. Removing and fitting barding takes five times as long as the figures given on the Donning Armor table . A barded animal cannot be used to carry any load other than a rider, and normal saddlebags. Barding 35 ft.* 40 ft.* * A mount wearing heavy armor moves at only triple its normal speed when running instead of quadruple. Bat Price 5 gp; Weight 1 lb. These Diminutive rodents are nocturnal fliers that eat insects and fruit.

They rely primarily on sound to navigate rather than sight. They are absent only in desert and arctic regions. Some cultures keep bat houses near towns and villages to control insect problems. More information on bats can be found in the Bestiary. Bit and Bridle Price 2 gp; Weight 1 lb. This is headgear used by a rider to control a mount. Bit and bridles for horses, ponies, and riding dogs can be readily purchased in most settlements and bits and bridles can be crafted for any creature that serves as a mount. Cage Price varies; Weight varies This secure, portable enclosure is used to hold creatures—generally animals, but a large enough cage can hold anything. Cages are made from iron, wood, or bamboo, depending on local customs and available materials. One cage holds one animal of that size, or five animals of a smaller size. The weight of the creature adds to the weight of the cage. Cages come in the following sizes: Diminutive or Fine, Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, and Huge. Cages for aquatic creatures cost twice as much, and weigh four times the normal weight when filled with water.

CAMEL Price 150 gp; Weight 1,500 lbs. Due to their incredible endurance, these Large animals are the preferred mounts of desert-dwelling people. They tend to be ill-tempered beasts. Cat Price 3 cp; Weight 8 lbs. These Tiny animals are often kept as pets or familiars. Though small, they are excellent hunters. Grain farmers usually keep cats for pest control in crop storage areas, but cats can be found in most regions and strays occupy many cities. Cat, Hunting Price 100 gp; Weight 100 lbs. Rarely, Medium cats such as cheetahs and leopards are trained to hunt for humanoid masters. Cattle Price 50 gp; Weight 1,500 lbs. Cattle are kept for milk and meat, and used as beasts of burden. A bull is used primarily for mating. Other males are castrated and become oxen, which are used to carry loads and plow fields. Centipede, House Price 1 cp; Weight 3 oz. These creatures come in many forms, from the lighter-colored 20-legged variety to the darker 300-legged variety.

Typically, these arthropods are what pass for pets in the slums, but the young and eccentric often search for the best specimens to serve as familiars. Centipedes employed as familiars have an Intelligence score and lose the mindless trait. Chicken Price 1 gp; Weight 6 lbs. These domesticated birds are not capable of long distance flights, and are raised for their eggs and meat. Male chickens are kept for mating and occasionally blood sport. Crab Price 20 gp; Weight 5–7 lbs. Aquatic spellcasters often find large ocean crabs to be agreeable familiars. Without the bond of a familiar, however, these crustacean's lack of intelligence makes them dull pets. Dire Bat, Riding 50 lbs. Most dogs fall into one of the following categories. Guard Dog: This Small, combat-trained dog is bred for battle; breeders favor strength, a thick body, and a low center of gravity. Guard dogs are sold in most large cities and some cultures use them for sport fighting or in some armies' special infantry. Lap Dog: These tiny dogs are commonly kept as pets.

They cannot be combat trained, but can serve as noisy-but-skittish watch creatures. Lap dogs have the same statistics as foxes. Riding Dog: This Medium dog is bred for carrying Small riders, and is combat trained. Breeders select dogs with strong backs, endurance, and loyal dispositions and train them for riding and combat before sale. Reputable breeders can be found in major cities. Donkey or Mule Price 8 gp; Weight 600–800 lbs. Donkeys and mules are stolid in the face of danger, hardy, surefooted, and capable of carrying heavy loads over vast distances. Unlike a horse, a donkey or mule is willing (though not eager) to enter dungeons and other strange or threatening places. Donkeys and mules have the same statistics as ponies. Donkey Rat Price 1 gp; Weight 50 lbs. These Tiny capybara-like white rodents are native to temperate swamps and coasts. They are common pets and livestock in some lands. Duck Price 2 gp; Weight 3 lbs. Farm ducks are used for eggs, meat, and down, while wild ducks are hunted for meat.

Ducks have the same statistics as ravens. Elephant Price 1,000 gp; Weight 5 tons These Huge animals are exceptionally strong and are quick learners. Some cultures train them for battle or labor. Most known elephants come from savannas or vast rainforest regions. They eat so much that housing them outside of their native environment is expensive. Falcon Price 40 gp; Weight 2 lbs. This Tiny, long-winged hawk is a popular hunting bird among many aristocracies. Falcons are technically a subset of hawks but are considered more "noble" in many cultures. Ownership of these birds is denied to commoners in many nations with hierarchical monarchies. Falconry Gauntlet Price 10 gp; Weight 1 lb. This gauntlet, made from layers of thick leather, is worn on a falconer's off hand to give a falcon a place to stand before and after the hunt. The gauntlet also has a tassel and a ring to attach to a falcon's tether. Feed (per day) Price 5 cp; Weight 10 lbs.

Horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies can graze in some regions to sustain themselves, but feed provides more reliable nourishment. Riding dogs and other carnivores can be fed meat for the same cost. Except for horses, other Large creatures need to eat twice the feed of other animals each day. Huge creatures need four times the feed. Fox Price 8 gp; Weight 12 lbs. These quick and wily carnivores can be difficult to train, but often make excellent familiars. Many humanoid communities see these canines as a menace to their farming fowl, and some use dogs to track them during recreational hunts. Gecko, Riding 400 gp 1,500 lbs. Larger than even giant geckos, these mammoth lizards have been specifically bred to be used as mounts. Prized for their ability to run along cave ceilings and sheer walls, they require exotic saddles to ride. A riding gecko has the same statistics as a giant gecko with the giant template. Goat Price 6 gp; Weight 50 lbs.

As an agricultural animal, goats provide milk, meat, hair, and hide, and they are sometimes used to clear fields of weeds and shrubbery. Some spellcasters bond with them as familiars. Griffon (COMBAT TRAINED) Price 8,000 gp; Weight 500 lbs. These deadly but majestic fliers are the favored aerial cavalry of many kingdoms. While griffons can be trained, some good deities consider doing so akin to enacting slavery, insisting that a griffon must come to its rider on its own free will. The price listed is for a trained griffon; free will is bought with different currency (determined by the GM). Griffon Egg Price 3,500 gp; Weight 10 lbs. Unscrupulous adventurers and the desperate sometimes steal eggs from griffon nests, as trainers find it easier to raise a griffon from a hatchling than trying to train a spirited adult. Hawk Price 18 gp; Weight 2 lbs. This Tiny, short-winged raptor is a popular hunting bird, but is utilized more often by lower nobility than by commoners without titles.

Hawks are known for their sharp eyesight and powerful aerial dives. Hedgehog Price 5 gp; Weight 3 lbs. These spiny mammals roll into a ball when threatened. They are sometimes kept as pets and are favored by some wizards as familiars. HIPPOGRIFF (COMBAT TRAINED) Price 5,000 gp; Weight 500 lbs. Less intelligent and easier to train than griffons, hippogriffs make reliable winged mounts. Hippogriff Egg Price 200 gp; Weight 10 lbs. While it is easier to train a full-grown hippogriff than a griffon, the eggs of these creatures are still prized by breeders. Horse 45 gp 900 lbs. This Large quadruped is used as a mount and pack animal. Horses can be trained for war but otherwise are skittish around battle. Many cultures support breeding programs and often consider their horse the best at whatever task they breed it to perform. Heavy Horse: These horses are often used as portage animals, pulling significant loads across great distances. Heavy Horse (Combat Trained): Heavy warhorses are bred and trained for war.

They are often are outfitted with heavy barding, but fight just as fiercely even without the armor. Light Horse: These horses can be ridden, but often serve as porters or carriage horses. Light Horse (Combat Trained): These light warhorses are bred for war and are favored by fast and light cavalry, scouts, and daredevil knights. Pony: These creatures are typically used for carting goods along narrow mountain trails or as steeds for young or Small riders. Pony (Combat Trained): Ponies can be trained for war just as effectively as their larger, more mature brethren. Such steeds often serve Small riders that expect to face battle. Lizard Price 5 cp; Weight 2 oz. These Tiny cold-blooded animals can be found in all warm regions and are often quite colorful. They eat insects and have the ability to walk up walls and hang upside down. Varieties of more intelligent lizards are often selected by wizards as familiars. Mastodon Price 2,000 gp; Weight 8 tons These cousins to elephants are larger and more powerfully built. There is a nearly hairless version that dwells in southern climates and a woolly variety adapted to cold.

More temperamental than elephants, they are used primarily as mounts. MONKEY Price 3 gp; Weight 5 lbs. These Tiny herbivorous primates can be found in a variety of habitats, but typically favor warm forests and jungles. They can grasp and carry objects that weigh under a pound. They are sometimes used as familiars. Octopus Price 25 gp; Weight 2 lbs. These cunning animals can be employed as familiars by aquatic spellcasters. If they are kept is pets, they must be kept in water, as they cannot survive out of it. Otter Price 20 gp; Weight 10 lbs. These playful water mammals are either used as familiars or trained to perform tricks as pets. They are surprisingly intelligent, and have been known to use rocks as simple tools, such as for opening the shells of mollusks. Owl Price 10 gp; Weight 1–3 lbs. These Tiny birds of prey are mainly nocturnal and are known for their keen eyes and near-silent flight. Owls eat small animals and insects, and can be found in nearly any environment. Some farmers create owl homes near fields and barns to control rodent populations.

The smartest owls make excellent familiars. Parrot Price 50 gp; Weight 4 lbs. These colorful and intelligent birds can be trained to mimic humanoid voices. They are often kept as pets by the wealthy and those who live in the tropical climates they favor. Parrots have the same statistics as ravens. Pig Price 10 gp; Weight 100–300 lbs. Domesticated pigs are the descendents of wild boars, and are raised for their meat and hide, being among the most versatile and common farm animals. Pseudodragon Price 200 gp; Weight 7 lbs. Found primarily in temperate forests, pseudodragons are intelligent enough that some consider their sale slavery. A handful of pseudodragons offer themselves for hire to adventurers, typically for half their listed price per week of work. Rabbit Price 2 gp; Weight 3 lbs. Rabbits are often raised or hunted for their meat and skins, though some people keep the skittish mammals as pets. Though they are often confused with hares, rabbits are distinctly different in that they make their homes in burrows beneath the ground, and they are usually smaller than hares.

Rabbits have the same statistics as rats. Raccoon Price 5 gp; Weight 7 lbs. These nocturnal hunter-scavengers are found primarily in forested terrains, and are noted for their domino mask-like visages, highly dextrous forepaws (which they rely on for their hyper-sensitive sense of touch), and the strangely anthropomorphic tendency to "wash" their food in water before eating it. Raccoons are sometimes kept as pets and used by some spellcasters as familiars. Rat Price 1 cp; Weight 1 lb. These Tiny rodents live everywhere and eat nearly anything. Despite having a reputation as disease-ridden scavengers, domesticated rats are clean, loyal creatures that make excellent familiars. Rat, dire Price 5 gp; Weight 50 lbs. These Small animals are vicious scavengers in the wild. However, dire rats raised in captivity can be trained as loyal pets and protectors. Pet dire rats do not have filth fever. Raven Price 2 gp; Weight 3 lbs. These Tiny birds are known for their intelligence, and even play games with each other in the wild. They eat insects and can be found in surprisingly varied habitats.

Saddle Price varies; Weight varies Saddles are used to support a rider or supplies on a mount. Military Saddle: This saddle braces the rider, providing a +2 circumstance bonus on Ride checks related to staying in the saddle. If the rider is knocked unconscious while in a military saddle, he has a 75% chance to stay in the saddle. Pack Saddle: A pack saddle holds gear and supplies, but not a rider. It holds as much gear as the mount can carry. Riding Saddle: These saddles are the most pervasive type of riding equipment. If the rider is knocked unconscious while in a riding saddle, he has a 50% chance to stay in the saddle. Exotic Saddle: These saddles are designed for a variety of unusual mounts, each customized for a specific type of beast. Exotic saddles come in military, pack, and riding styles, just as normal saddles do, and have the same traits. Saddlebags Price 4 gp; Weight 8 lbs. These sturdy, weatherproof bags are draped over a saddle to add extra carrying capacity. Each side of a saddlebag can typically carry 20 pound of items that can fit in the bags.

Saddlebags do not increase the amount of weight a mount can carry; they merely give riders a place to stow their equipment. Scorpion, Greensting Price 15 gp; Weight 9 oz. Typically found in forested areas, these Tiny scorpions sport pincers too small to be dangerous to anything larger than an insect, but they still possess a poisonous stinger. Sometimes they are kept as pets or serve as familiars. Greensting scorpions employed as familiars have an Intelligence score and lose the mindless trait. Sheep Price 20 gp; Weight 150 lbs. These livestock animals are kept for their fur, meat, and hide, and can be found in virtually any civilized settlement. They are especially prized in colder environs, where their wool and hide can be used to make durable and highly insulated clothing. Sheep have the same statistics as goats. Skunk Price 10 gp; Weight 10 lbs. These creatures are infamous for the overwhelmingly foul odor they produce to ward off predators. Skunks are sometimes kept as pets, though usually only after their scent glands have been removed. More information on skunks can be found in Bestiary 3.

Snake, Constrictor Price 5 gp; Weight 60 lbs. These Medium reptiles are found chiefly in warm climates. Somewhat aggressive, constrictors squeeze their prey to death before consuming it. Due to their size, these snakes are less popular for traveling spellcasters, but they can be quite helpful in a laboratory. Snake, Viper Price 5 gp; Weight 10 oz. This tiny reptile eats small animals and can be found in most temperate and warm environments. The bite is painful but not especially dangerous to the average adventurer. Squirrel 20 gp 1 lbs. These tiny rodents are as common in the wild as rats are in cities. They typically eat nuts, seeds, and vegetation. Squirrels have the same statistics as rats. Flying squirrel: These Tiny squirrels use a membrane of skin between their front and hind legs to glide. They sometimes serve spellcasters as familiars. Spider Price 25 gp; Weight 8 oz. These Tiny spiders have red bodies and black legs. They are hunting spiders, so they do not cast webs, though they are poisonous.

Stabling (Per Day) Price 5 sp; Weight — This is the amount it costs to stable a single creature that is Large or smaller for one day, at a typical stable or hostler. Particularly fancy stables may cost more, and larger or more exotic creatures cost double. Stirge Price 20 gp; Weight 1 lb. These Tiny beasts are allegedly sold for indoor defense to rich clients, but often wind up in exotic blood sports. Despite the popular misconception that stirges are untameable vermin, such creatures are trainable, but they must be fed fresh blood daily to dissuade them from turning on their handlers. Thrush Price 1 sp; Weight 7 oz. These small plump birds are sometimes kept as pets, but are more often used as familiars for spellcasters. They are known for their beautiful song and their potential for actual speech. Toad Price 2 cp; Weight 7 oz. This Diminutive amphibian is primarily kept as a familiar by spellcasters. Toads live in most temperate and warm environments, and eat insects. Turtle Price 3 gp; Weight 4 lbs. These reptiles have bony shells that they can retreat into.

They are sometimes kept as pets and used as familiars, and in some places their flesh is eaten or used as an ingredient in medicines. Weasel Price 2 gp; Weight 8 oz. These Tiny animals eat smaller animals and can be found in nearly any environment. They are clever and curious, traits that are magnified when they are kept as familiars. Many varieties of weasel exude a strong musky odor. This description also applies to similar animals, such as ferrets, minks, polecats, and stoats. Yak Price 24 gp; Weight 1,000 lbs. These shaggy-haired relatives to cows are more at home in mountainous terrain where they are frequently used as pack animals and to pull plows. Yaks have the same statistics as bison. Transports Transport vehicles can be purchased or hired to provide passage. The transports in this section are a number of vehicles, both common and exotic, that can be purchased or hired. The table sorts the vehicles by Land Transport and Sea Transport and includes costs to buy these vehicles or rent passage on them.

Transport Carriage Price 100 Gp; Passage 3 CP This four-wheeled vehicle can transport as many as four people within an enclosed cab, plus two drivers. In general, two horses (or other beasts of burden) draw it. A carriage comes with the harness needed to pull it. Cart Price 15 gp; Passage 1 CP This two-wheeled vehicle can be drawn by a single horse or other beast of burden, and is often used to transport goods across short distances. It comes with a harness. Chariot Price varies; Passage 2 CP This two-wheeled vehicle is drawn by a horse. There are three varieties of chariots. Light Chariots: These chariots are often used for racing or as the platform for a single archer charging across the battlefield at high speed. Medium Chariots: These chariots are used in battle to break apart infantry formations or as fast-moving fighting platforms. Heavy Chariots: This type of chariot is typically used as a fighting platform or for transporting material quickly onto the battlefield. Dog Sled Price 20 gp; Passage 3 CP This sled is designed to be pulled over snow and ice by a team of trained riding dogs.

Most sleds have runners at the back for a musher to stand on. A dog sled can carry up to the capacity of all the dogs that pull it. Galley Price 30,000 gp; Passage 1 SP This three-masted ship has 70 oars on either side and requires a total crew of 200. A galley is 130 feet long and 20 feet wide, and can carry 150 tons of cargo or 250 soldiers. For 8,000 gp more, it can be fitted with a ram and firing platforms fore, aft, and amidships. This ship cannot make sea voyages and sticks close to the coast. It moves about 4 miles per hour when being rowed or under sail. Junk Price 15,000 gp; Passage 1 SP This flat-bottomed sailing ship has two or three masts with junk-rigged sails, allowing it to be easily sailed by small crews. Junks typically have a high poop deck and no keel.

Keelboat Price 3,000 gp; Passage 1 SP This 50- to 75-foot-long ship is 15 to 20 feet wide and has a dozen oars to supplement its single mast with a square sail. It requires a crew of 8 to 15 to sail and can carry 40 to 50 tons of cargo or 100 soldiers. It can make sea voyages, as well as sail down rivers (thanks to its flat bottom). It moves about 1 mile per hour. Longship Price 10,000 gp; Passage 5 CP This 75-foot-long ship with 40 oars requires a total crew of 50. It has a single mast and a square sail, and it can carry 50 tons of cargo or 120 soldiers. A longship can make sea voyages. It moves about 3 miles per hour when being rowed or under sail. Raft Price —; Passage 1 CP The most basic and primitive type of watercraft, a raft is a simple, flat boat with no hull, often made of logs lashed together. It typically uses two to four oars for propulsion.

Rowboat Price 50 gp; Passage 2 CP This 8- to 12-foot-long boat with two oars holds two or three Medium passengers, and is either carried on the deck of a larger ship or moored to a dock onshore. A rowboat moves about 1-1/2 miles per hour. Sailing Ship Price 10,000 gp; Passage 2 SP This large, seaworthy ship is 75 to 90 feet long, 20 feet wide, and has a crew of 20. It can carry 150 tons of cargo. It has square sails on its two masts and can make sea voyages. It moves about 2 miles per hour. Ship's Boat Price 500 gp; Passage 2 CP Ship's boats are usually carried on the decks of larger ships to ferry passengers and cargo. sleigh Price 50 gp; Passage 2 CP This wagon has runners, making it an ideal conveyance for snow and ice travel. In general, two horses (or other beasts of burden) are needed to draw it. A sled comes with the harness required to pull it.

Wagon Price varies; Passage varies This four-wheeled open vehicle is used for transporting heavy loads. It includes the harness needed to pull it. There are three common varieties of wagon. Light Wagon: Wagons of this type are most commonly employed by farmers and craftsmen transporting their goods short distances or by venders in and around cities. A light wagon carries up to 1,000 pounds of cargo and requires two Medium creatures or one Large creature to pull it. Medium Wagon: Wagons of this type are typically employed for heavy duty work, often in agricultural, mining, or construction settings. A medium wagon can carry up to 2,000 pounds of cargo and requires four Medium or two Large creatures to pull it. Heavy Wagon: Wagons of this type are large, four-wheeled vehicles primarily used in caravans to transport goods over long stretches of territory. A heavy wagon carries up to 4,000 pounds of cargo, and is pulled by either eight Medium creatures or four Large creatures. Warship Price 25,000 gp; Passage 2 SP This 100-foot-long ship has a single mast, although oars can also propel it.

It has a crew of 60 to 80 rowers. This ship can carry 160 soldiers, but not for long distances, since there isn't room for supplies to support that many people. A warship cannot make sea voyages and sticks to the coast. It is not used for cargo. It moves about 2-1/2 miles per hour when being rowed or under sail. 10 Incredibly Adaptive Sahara Desert Animals - Conservation Institute 10 Incredibly Adaptive Sahara Desert Animals Sep 7 • Nature • 44396 Views • Comments Off on 10 Incredibly Adaptive Sahara Desert Animals When you think of a desert, do you imagine a lifeless wasteland where nothing can survive? While many people think of deserts as lifeless locations, they are actually quite diverse and rich in life. In fact, it could be said that there is no finer example of the richness of evolution than a desert ecology. Why? The harsh conditions imposed by the desert climate force desert inhabitants to adapt. The fact that many species of plants and animals thrive even in these conditions is a great testament to the resourcefulness of life. Here are some amazingly adaptive Sahara desert animals. 10.

Jerboa Jerboa (Sergey Yeliseev/Flickr) These adorable little rodents have very long legs and can jump very high. Despite their minuteness, they can run up to 16 miles per hour, making them quite challenging to catch. Amazingly, the jerboa doesn’t have to drink water—quite a useful adaptation for a desert creature. It still needs to take in water of course, like all living things, but it is able to extract enough from its foods to sufficed for its needs. 9. Fennec Fox Fennec Fox (Drew Avery/Flickr) These foxes are nocturnal and are characterized by their very large ears. Not only do the ears help them to hear better in the desert, but they also help them to release body heat, keeping them cool. They are small and lightweight, usually weighing only a couple of pounds. 8. Monitor Lizard Monitor Lizard (Gmacfadyen/Flickr) This large lizard (generally; some can be quite small) is venomous and can become quite aggressive when threatened, especially during colder seasons. Monitor lizards not only include desert-thriving species in the Sahara, but also species which can live in forests or even wetlands.

This makes them some of the most versatile creatures on the planet. They are extremely intelligent and can even count. 7. Ostrich Ostrich (Sergey Yeliseev/Flickr) Not a lot of people think of ostriches when asked to name a desert animal, but ostriches are some of the fastest animals in the Sahara. They are able to run up to 40 miles an hour, almost as fast as the gazelles. They can travel a long ways, and can also pick up noises and see movement across vast distances, helping them spot and avoid predators. When threatened, the ostrich can fight back, kicking with its long legs. 6. Sidewinder Sidewinder (Ioeffel_1/Flickr) There are a number of species of sidewinder in various deserts around the world. The horned viper is particularly well known in the Sahara. The venom from this snake can be lethal, and also quite painful, even in cases that do not lead to death. The unique sideways movement of the sidewinder helps it to traverse the sands quickly and effectively. Sadly, changes in the environment have caused the horned viper to enter the endangered species list. 5.

Death Stalker Scorpion Death Stalker Scorpion (Art/Flickr) This type of scorpion is translucent and yellow in appearance, and is among the most venomous animals of the Sahara desert, and the entire world. They look ephemeral and fragile, but they are incredibly dangerous, capable of causing respiratory failure and death. 4. Addax Antelope Addax Antelope (Sean Abbott/Flickr) Like the gazelle, the Addax antelope is well known for its sleekness and its beauty. They are among the most endangered animals on the planet, with long, elegant horns and flat feet. Sadly they have been hunted to the point where there are only around 500 left. Global warming has also done them no favors. They are however very good at crossing the Sahara sands on their flat feet. They will probably not be able to adapt to human threats and global warming fast enough to survive however, and need our help. 3. The Scarab Beetle The Scarab Beetle (MPascalj/Flickr) Also known by the less dignifying (but perhaps more descriptive) name “dung beetle,” the scarab beetle was a holy symbol to the ancient Egyptians and has some impressive adaptability.

Dung beetles make creative use of animal feces. They are able to subsist almost entirely on animal waste. There are several ways that scarabs can make use of the dung they find, depending on how flexible they feel about their living situations. Dung beetles can roll dung until it makes a ball shape and then push it home, or simply dig a new burrow next to a heap of dung to live in. Some dung beetles just burrow into the dung they find and make it into a home, chewing their way out when they get hungry. Nom nom! 2. Dorcas Gazelle Dorcas Gazelle (Daniel Ellis/Flickr) Also known as the Ariel Gazelle, this animal is sleek and graceful, usually weighing around 25 kilograms. Many animals in the Sahara desert prey on gazelles, so the Dorcas gazelle has evolved to avoid them on impulse. When a predator approaches, the gazelle’s highly attuned body will automatically jump. This is known as “stotting.” It serves several purposes. Firstly, it gets the gazelle out of immediate danger. Secondly, it demonstrates the gazelle’s speed and reflexes to the predator, discouraging it.

Thirdly, it alerts other gazelles that a predator is approaching. If the gazelle is forced to run, it can achieve an astounding 49 miles per hour. 1. Camels Camel (Louise Bleaky/Flickr) One animal you probably think about when you think about the desert is the Sahara desert camel. Camels store a large amount of fat in the humps on top of their backs (no, not water—that is a myth). The fat can be burned for energy when the camel is unable to locate any food. While most of us are searching for ways to burn off fat and slim up our bodies, camels are actually evolved by nature to carry extra fat around to survive! The Sahara desert really is quite diverse, and as you can see, some of the most incredible species on the planet make their home there. The conditions may be daunting, but the animals that live there are up for the challenge. Even in difficult conditions, life can prevail, which is really quite inspiring. Next time you’re going through a rough patch, think about the animals of the Sahara and how you can learn from their example.

Question: What animal is also known as the ship of the desert?
Answer: The camel