What is a desert?

What is a desert?

A desert is a dry region with very little rainfall. During the day, temperatures can rise
above 50 °C (122 °F). However, nights in a desert can be extremely cold. Most deserts
are covered with sand and rocks. Animals and plants that live in this habitat are specially
adapted to life with little water and extreme changes in temperature.

What are montane deserts?

A Some deserts, located at very high altitudes, are known as montane deserts. They
are common in the Himalayas. Some, like the Tibetan Plateau, are relatively flat. Very few
animals can survive the extreme cold and dryness, but the yak lives in Tibet.

What is an oasis?

A For most part deserts are dry and have no water bodies. However, small springs with
trees and plants growing around them can be found in certain places. These isolated
regions are called oases. An oasis is vital for all forms of life in the desert.

Cold desert

Most deserts are hot during the day, but some deserts
are in the coldest parts of the Earth. Some cold deserts are
covered in ice throughout the year, allowing very few plants to
grow. Cold deserts are also not very suitable for animals. Few
species can survive such extreme cold for long periods
of time. Antarctica is the largest cold desert in the world.
Patagonia in the southernmost part of South America and
Gobi in Mongolia are also cold deserts.