There are indeed many diverse and endemic animals and plants in the Sahara Desert such as, thymes, Date Palm, Red acacia, Horned Vipers, Dorcas Gazelle, Monitor Lizard and the list goes on......
I however am only going to describe the Fennec Fox (Animal) and the Olive Tree (Plant).
A really long time ago, around thousands of years ago the Sahara Desert actually had enough water that can sustain people and also animals, which were able to survive practically at the edge of the desert. There is some evidence that the lake supported crocodiles. Some fossils have been discovered in the Sahara Desert. Nowadays there is barely any water and little or no vegetation, excluding the Nile and a few oases, in which some have olive trees that grow. This big change had happened in about 1600 BCE when the after shifts in the Earth's axis increased in temperature and decreased dramatically in precipitation. Camels came to the desert in around 200 AD. An example of an animal that I am going to describe is the Fennec fox, whose picture is above. The Fennec Fox is the world's smallest fox, but it's large ears can be effective as they are 15 centimetres and can help them to radiate body heat and to keep cool from the Saharan heat. They dwell in the Sahara Desert and in other places throughout North Africa. Their nocturnal habits really help them to deal with the searing heat of the desert environment, and also of help are physical adaptations. Their long, thick hair provides insulation for them during cold nights and protects them from the hot sun during the day. The foxes feet are also hairy and act like snowshoes and shelters them from extremely hot sand. Their feet are also very effective shovels that can be used for frequent digging as Fennec Foxes live in underground dens. They live in small communities, which are inhabited by ten others. Like other canids, Fennecs tend to mark their territory with urine and become very hostile when mating season arrives each year. They forage for plants but also eat rodents, eggs, reptiles and insects. Like most animals that live in the desert, the Fennec Fox has developed the ability to go without water for long periods.
They are cream-coloured and have black-tipped tails. Their appearance makes them the favourite of the captive pet trade. The Fennec Fox is being threatened by local people because they want to hunt it for it's fur. But information is very limited when it comes to the wild Fennec Fox population.
I however am only going to describe the Fennec Fox (Animal) and the Olive Tree (Plant).
A really long time ago, around thousands of years ago the Sahara Desert actually had enough water that can sustain people and also animals, which were able to survive practically at the edge of the desert. There is some evidence that the lake supported crocodiles. Some fossils have been discovered in the Sahara Desert. Nowadays there is barely any water and little or no vegetation, excluding the Nile and a few oases, in which some have olive trees that grow. This big change had happened in about 1600 BCE when the after shifts in the Earth's axis increased in temperature and decreased dramatically in precipitation. Camels came to the desert in around 200 AD. An example of an animal that I am going to describe is the Fennec fox, whose picture is above. The Fennec Fox is the world's smallest fox, but it's large ears can be effective as they are 15 centimetres and can help them to radiate body heat and to keep cool from the Saharan heat. They dwell in the Sahara Desert and in other places throughout North Africa. Their nocturnal habits really help them to deal with the searing heat of the desert environment, and also of help are physical adaptations. Their long, thick hair provides insulation for them during cold nights and protects them from the hot sun during the day. The foxes feet are also hairy and act like snowshoes and shelters them from extremely hot sand. Their feet are also very effective shovels that can be used for frequent digging as Fennec Foxes live in underground dens. They live in small communities, which are inhabited by ten others. Like other canids, Fennecs tend to mark their territory with urine and become very hostile when mating season arrives each year. They forage for plants but also eat rodents, eggs, reptiles and insects. Like most animals that live in the desert, the Fennec Fox has developed the ability to go without water for long periods.
They are cream-coloured and have black-tipped tails. Their appearance makes them the favourite of the captive pet trade. The Fennec Fox is being threatened by local people because they want to hunt it for it's fur. But information is very limited when it comes to the wild Fennec Fox population.
The Sahara Desert has a very wide range of plant life, especially known for it's vegetation, which includes trees, succulents, herbs, shrubs and various grasses. Olive trees are indeed a very common tree in the Saharan regions of Africa, especially near the Nile River and some diverse oases.
The Olive Tree plays a fundamental role in the Sahara's ecosystem as it's fruits are employed to extract oil and are used for cooking also. This tree is native to the Sahara Desert and can sustain the hot and dry climate as its leaves, which are very small have a protective coating that declines water loss. Vegetation in the Sahara Desert can be found where the ground water reaches the surface of the land. Man has been cultivating the Olive Tree for around 8000 years. Way back in Greek and Roman history this tree was so important that if someone destroyed an Olive tree, that would have been a capital crime.
The Olive Tree plays a fundamental role in the Sahara's ecosystem as it's fruits are employed to extract oil and are used for cooking also. This tree is native to the Sahara Desert and can sustain the hot and dry climate as its leaves, which are very small have a protective coating that declines water loss. Vegetation in the Sahara Desert can be found where the ground water reaches the surface of the land. Man has been cultivating the Olive Tree for around 8000 years. Way back in Greek and Roman history this tree was so important that if someone destroyed an Olive tree, that would have been a capital crime.