Deserts cover about one fifth of the Earth's surface and occur where rainfall is less than 50cm annually. Many of the organisms found in the desert are specially adapted to the extreme temperatures; the plants and animals having adapted to the very small amount of water and the harsh conditions. There are very few large mammals in deserts because most are not capable of storing sufficient water and withstanding the heat. Deserts only provide little shelter from the sun so large animals have little to no protection from the heat. The dominant animals of deserts are nonmammalian vertebrates, such as reptiles. Mammals are usually small and specially adapted in desert biomes.
There are four different types of deserts. They are classified as hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold. The Namib desert, which touches the Atlantic ocean, is categorized as a coastal desert. The cool winters of coastal deserts are followed by moderately long, warm summers. The average summer temperature ranges from 13-24 degrees C while winter temperatures are about 5 degrees C or below. The maximum annual temperature is around 35 degrees C and the minimum is about 4 degrees C. The soil is fine textured and has a moderate salt content.
There are four different types of deserts. They are classified as hot and dry, semiarid, coastal, and cold. The Namib desert, which touches the Atlantic ocean, is categorized as a coastal desert. The cool winters of coastal deserts are followed by moderately long, warm summers. The average summer temperature ranges from 13-24 degrees C while winter temperatures are about 5 degrees C or below. The maximum annual temperature is around 35 degrees C and the minimum is about 4 degrees C. The soil is fine textured and has a moderate salt content.