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Tropical deserts and semi-deserts of Africa. Climatic conditions of deserts and semi-deserts

Found in temperate, subtropical and tropical zones of the Earth and forming a natural zone located between the steppe zone in the north and the desert zone in the south.

In the temperate zone of Asia, semi-deserts stretch in a continuous strip from west to east for approximately 10 thousand km from the Caspian lowland to the eastern border of China. In the subtropics, semi-deserts are widespread on the slopes of plateaus, plateaus and highlands of Asia and North America. In the tropics, semi-deserts occupy large areas, especially in Africa, south of the Sahara, in the Sahel zone, which is characterized by the landscapes of the so-called desert savanna.

The highly sparse vegetation cover of a semi-desert often appears in the form of a mosaic consisting of perennial xerophytic grasses, turf grasses, saltworts and wormwoods, as well as ephemerals and ephemeroids. Succulents, mainly cacti, are common in America. In Africa and Australia, thickets of xerophytic shrubs (see Scrub) and sparse low-growing trees (acacia, doum palm, baobab, etc.) are typical.

Among the animals of the semi-desert, hares, rodents (gophers, jerboas, gerbils, voles, hamsters) and reptiles are especially numerous; among ungulates - antelopes, bezoar goats, mouflon, wild ass, etc. Among small predators, the following are ubiquitous: jackal, striped hyena, caracal, steppe cat, fennec fox, etc. Birds are quite diverse. Many insects and arachnids (karakurt, scorpions, phalanges).

The soils in deserts are gray and brown desert soils with very low thickness and low humus content.

The traditional occupation of the population is pasture farming. Oasis agriculture is developed only on irrigated lands.

Desert landscapes with a hot, arid climate and sparse sparse vegetation are common in temperate, subtropical and tropical zones of the Earth. The area of deserts is about 22% of the land. Deserts are found everywhere except Europe and Antarctica. In the mountains, the desert forms an altitudinal zone (high-mountain desert), on the plains it forms a natural zone located south of the semi-desert zone.

One of the main features of the desert is the lack of moisture, which is explained by the insignificant (50-200 mm per year) amount of precipitation, which evaporates faster than it seeps into the soil. Sometimes there is no rain for several years. Most of the territory is drainless, and only in places there are transit rivers or lakes that periodically dry up and change their shape (Lop Nor, Chad, Air). Some deserts formed within ancient river, delta and lake plains, others on platform land areas. Deserts are often surrounded by or bordered by mountains. Over the course of a long geological history, deserts have changed their boundaries. For example, the Sahara - the greatest desert in the world - extended 400-500 km south of its current position.

Based on their position, a distinction is made between continental deserts (Gobi, Taklamakan), located inside the continent, and coastal deserts (Atacama, Namib), stretching along the western coasts of the continents.

Deserts are divided into sandy, rocky, gravelly, clayey, and saline.

Desert areas occur in semi-desert.

Desert vegetation, represented by xerophytes and halophytes, does not form a closed cover and usually occupies less than 50% of the surface, characterized by a great variety of life forms (for example, tumbleweeds). Ephemera and ephemeroids occupy an important place in plant communities. Many endemics. In Asia, leafless shrubs and semi-shrubs (white saxaul, sand acacia, cherkes, ephedra) are common on the sands; In America, as well as in Africa, succulents (cacti, yucca, prickly pear, etc.) are common. Clay deserts are dominated by a variety of wormwood, solyanka and black saxaul.

Animals that have adapted to life in the open spaces of the desert can run quickly and remain without water for a long time. For example, the long-domesticated camel, which is called the “ship of the desert” for its endurance and reliability. Many of the animals are marked with a yellow or gray-brown “desert” coloration. Most animals are nocturnal in summer, some hibernate. Rodents (jerboas, gerbils, gophers) and reptiles (lizards, snakes, etc.) are numerous and ubiquitous. Among the ungulates, goitered gazelles and antelopes, including gazelles, are often found; Carnivores include the wolf, fennec fox, hyenas, jackals, coyote, caracal, etc. Insects and arachnids (phalanxes, scorpions, etc.) are numerous.

The desert was and remains an extreme natural environment for human life, although it was in desert conditions that ancient civilizations arose and existed: Egypt, Mesopotamia, Khorezm, Assyria, etc. Life usually arose near a well, river or other water source. This is how oases appeared, the first “islands” of life created by human labor. Life in the oases and the occupations of the population differed significantly from the conditions of the desert itself, where people are doomed to eternal nomadism under the scorching sun and dust storms in search of water. Breeding sheep and camels has become a traditional occupation of nomads. Irrigated agriculture and horticulture developed only in oases, where plants such as cotton, wheat, barley, sugar cane, olive trees, date palms, etc. had long been cultivated. The rapid influx of population into large oases led to the formation of the first cities.

As a result of long-term and intense anthropogenic impacts (system of shifting cultivation, overgrazing of livestock, etc.), the onset of desert and expansion of its areas are noted. This process is called desertification, or desertification. This is a real threat to many peoples of Northern and Eastern Africa, South Asia and tropical America. For example, the Sahara, moving south, annually takes away 100 thousand hectares of arable land and pastures. The Atacama moves at a speed of 2.5 km per year, the Thar - 1 km per year.

And semi-deserts are specific natural zones, the main distinguishing feature of which is drought, as well as poor flora and fauna. Such a zone can form in all climatic zones - the main factor is a critically low amount of precipitation. Deserts and semi-deserts are characterized by a climate with sharp daily temperature changes and low precipitation: no more than 150 mm per year (in spring). The climate is hot and dry, evaporates before it can be absorbed into the water. Temperature changes are characteristic not only of the change of day and night. The winter and summer temperature difference is also very large. The general background of weather conditions can be defined as extremely severe.

Deserts and semi-deserts are waterless, dry areas of the planet where no more than 15 cm of precipitation falls per year. The most important factor in their formation is wind. However, not all deserts experience hot weather; some of them, on the contrary, are considered the coldest regions of the Earth. Representatives of flora and fauna have adapted to the harsh conditions of these areas in different ways.

Sometimes the air in deserts in summer reaches 50 degrees in the shade, and in winter the thermometer drops to minus 30 degrees!

Such temperature changes cannot but affect the formation of the flora and fauna of the semi-deserts of Russia.

Deserts and semi-deserts are found in:

The tropical zone is most of these territories - Africa, South America, the Arabian Peninsula of Eurasia.
Subtropical and temperate zones - in South and North America, Central Asia, where the low percentage of precipitation is complemented by relief features.

There are also special types of deserts - Arctic and Antarctic, the formation of which is associated with very low temperatures.

There are many reasons why deserts arise. For example, the Atacama Desert receives little rainfall because it is located at the foot of the mountains, which cover it from rain with their ridges.

Ice deserts formed for other reasons. In Antarctica and the Arctic, the bulk of the snow falls on the coast; snow practically does not reach the interior regions. Precipitation levels generally vary greatly; one snowfall, for example, can result in a year's worth of precipitation. Such snow deposits form over hundreds of years.

Natural area desert

Climate features, desert classification

This natural area occupies about 25% of the planet's land area. There are 51 deserts in total, 2 of which are icy. Almost all deserts were formed on ancient geological platforms.

General signs

The natural zone called “desert” is characterized by:

flat surface;
critical volume of precipitation(annual norm - from 50 to 200 mm);
rare and specific flora;
peculiar fauna.

Deserts are often found in the temperate zone of the Earth's Northern Hemisphere, as well as in the tropical and subtropical zones. The relief of such an area is very heterogeneous: it combines highlands, island mountains, small hills and strata plains. Basically, these lands are drainless, but sometimes a river can flow through part of the territory (for example, the Nile, Syr Darya), and there are also drying lakes, the outlines of which are constantly changing.

Important! Almost all desert areas are surrounded by or near mountains.

Classification

There are different types of deserts:

Sandy. Such deserts are characterized by dunes and often experience sandstorms. The largest is the Sahara, characterized by loose, light soil that is easily blown by the winds.
Clayey. They have a smooth clay surface. They are found in Kazakhstan, the western part of Betpak-Dala, on the Ustyurt plateau.
Rocky. The surface is represented by stones and rubble, which form placers. For example, Sonora in North America.
Salt marshes. The soil is dominated by salts, and the surface often looks like a salt crust or quagmire. Distributed on the coast of the Caspian Sea, in Central Asia.
Arctic— located in the Arctic and Antarctica. They can be snowless or snowy.

Climatic conditions

The desert climate is warm and dry. The temperature depends on the geographical location: the maximum +58°C was recorded in the Sahara on September 13, 1922. A distinctive feature of the desert area is a sharp temperature drop of 30-40°C. During the day the average temperature is +45°C, at night - +2-5°C. In winter, the deserts in Russia can be frosty with light snow.

In desert lands it has low humidity. Strong winds with a speed of 15-20 m/s or more often occur here.

Important! The driest desert is the Atacama. There has been no rainfall on its territory for more than 400 years.

Semi-desert in Patagonia. Argentina

Flora

The desert flora is very sparse, consisting mainly of sparse shrubs that can extract moisture deep in the soil. These plants are specially adapted to live in hot and dry habitats. For example, a cactus has a thick waxy outer layer to keep water from evaporating. Sagebrush and desert grasses need very little water to survive. Desert and semi-desert plants have adapted to protect themselves from animals by growing sharp needles and thorns. Their leaves are replaced by scales and spines or covered with hairs that protect the plants from excessive evaporation. Almost all sand plants have long roots. In sandy deserts, in addition to herbaceous vegetation, there is also shrub vegetation: zhuzgun, sand acacia, teresken. Shrub plants are low and poorly leafy. Saxaul also grows in deserts: white on sandy soils, and black on saline soils.

Flora of desert and semi-desert

Most desert and semi-desert plants bloom in the spring, reproducing flowers until the hot summer begins. During wet winter and spring years, semi-desert and desert plants can produce a surprising amount of spring flowers. Pine trees, junipers and sage grow in desert canyons and rocky mountains. They provide shelter from the scorching sun for many small animals.

The least known and underestimated species of desert and semi-desert plants are lichens and cryptogamous plants. Cryptogamous or secretogamous plants - spore fungi, algae, pteridophytes, bryophytes. Cryptogamous plants and lichens need very little water to survive and live in dry, hot climates. These plants are important because they help stop erosion, which is very important for all other plants and animals because it helps keep the soil fertile during high winds and hurricanes. They also add nitrogen to the soil. Nitrogen is an important nutrient for plants. Cryptogamous plants and lichens grow very slowly.

Annual ephemerals and perennial ephemeroids grow in clay deserts. In solonchaks there are halophytes or solyankas.

One of the most unusual plants that grow in this area is saxaul. It often moves from place to place under the influence of the wind.

Fauna

The fauna is also sparse - reptiles, spiders, reptiles or small steppe animals (hare, gerbil) can live here. Among the representatives of the order of mammals, the camel, antelope, wild ass, steppe sheep, and desert lynx live here.

To survive in the desert, animals have a specific sandy coloration, can run fast, dig holes and live for a long time without water, and are preferably nocturnal.

Among the birds you can find the raven, saxaul jay, and desert chicken.

Important! In sandy deserts there are sometimes oases - this is a place that is located above the accumulation of underground water. There is always dense and abundant vegetation and ponds here.

Leopard in the Sahara desert

Characteristics of the climate, flora and fauna of the semi-desert

Semi-desert is a type of landscape that is an intermediate option between desert and steppe. Most of them are located in the temperate and tropical zones.

General signs

This zone is distinguished by the fact that there is absolutely no forest on it, the flora is quite unique, as is the composition of the soil (very mineralized).

Important! Semi-deserts exist on all continents except Antarctica.

Climatic conditions

They are characterized by hot and long summers with temperatures of approximately 25°C. Evaporation here is five times higher than precipitation levels. There are few rivers and they often dry up.

In the temperate zone they run in an unbroken line across Eurasia in an east-west direction. In the subtropical zone they are often found on the slopes of plateaus, highlands and plateaus (Armenian Highlands, Karoo). In the tropics these are very large areas (Sahel zone).

Fennec foxes in the desert of Arabia and North Africa

Flora

The flora of this natural zone is uneven and sparse. It is represented by xerophytic grasses, sunflowers and wormwood, and ephemerals grow. On the American continent, the most common are cacti and other succulents; in Australia and Africa, xerophytic shrubs and low-growing trees (baobab, acacia) are most common. Here the vegetation is often used to feed livestock.

In the desert-steppe zone, both steppe and desert plants are common. The vegetation cover mainly consists of fescue, wormwood, chamomile, and feather grass. Often wormwood occupies large areas, creating a dull, monotonous picture. In some places, kochia, ebelek, teresken, and quinoa grow among the wormwood. Where groundwater comes close to the surface, thickets of shin weed are found on saline soils.

The soil, as a rule, is poorly developed; its composition is dominated by water-soluble salts. Among the soil-forming rocks, ancient alluvial and loess-like deposits, which are reworked by winds, predominate. Gray-brown soil is typical for elevated flat areas. Deserts are also characterized by salt marshes, that is, soils that contain about 1% of easily soluble salts. In addition to semi-deserts, salt marshes are also found in steppes and deserts. Groundwater, which contains salts, when reaching the soil surface is deposited in its upper layer, resulting in soil salinization.

Fauna

The fauna is quite diverse. To the greatest extent it is represented by reptiles and rodents. Mouflon, antelope, caracal, jackal, fox and other predators and ungulates also live here. Semi-deserts are home to many birds, spiders, fish and insects.

Protection of natural areas

Some desert areas are protected by law and recognized as nature reserves and national parks. The list of them is quite long. From the deserts man guards:

Etosha;
Joshua Tree (in Death Valley).

Among semi-deserts the following are subject to protection:

Ustyurt Nature Reserve;
Tiger beam.

Important! The Red Book includes such desert inhabitants as the serval, mole rat, caracal, and saiga.

Chara desert. Transbaikal region

Economic activity

The climatic features of these zones are unfavorable for economic life, but throughout history entire civilizations developed in the desert zone, for example, Egypt.

Special conditions forced us to look for a way to graze livestock, grow crops and develop industry. Taking advantage of the available vegetation, sheep are usually grazed in such areas. Bactrian camels are also bred in Russia. Farming here is possible only with additional irrigation.

The development of technological progress and the unlimited supply of natural resources have led to the fact that man has reached the deserts. Scientific research has shown that in many semi-deserts and deserts there are considerable reserves of natural resources, such as gas, precious minerals. The need for them is constantly increasing. Therefore, equipped with heavy equipment and industrial tools, we are going to destroy previously miraculously untouched territories.

The two largest deserts on planet Earth: Antarctica and the Sahara.
The height of the highest dunes reaches 180 meters.
The driest and hottest area in the world is Death Valley. But, nevertheless, more than 40 species of reptiles, animals and plants live in it.
Approximately 46,000 square miles of arable land turns to desert each year. This process is called desertification. According to the UN, the problem threatens the lives of more than 1 billion people.
When passing through the Sahara, people often see mirages. To protect travelers, a mirage map was compiled for caravan drivers.

Natural zones of deserts and semi-deserts are a huge variety of landscapes, climatic conditions, flora and fauna. Despite the harsh and cruel nature of the deserts, these regions have become home to many species of plants and animals.

Where the dry period sometimes lasts all year round, and short-term rains fall irregularly, lies the natural zone of tropical deserts and semi-deserts. It occupies the largest area in Africa in the Northern Hemisphere. Here, from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea, the Sahara Desert stretches in a wide strip from west to east for 5000 km. In southern Africa, deserts occupy much smaller areas. Here, the harsh Namib Desert stretches in a narrow strip along the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. In the interior of the mainland is the Kalahari semi-desert.

Sahara - the largest desert in the world by area. In its interior regions there is no rain for years, or even decades. And rain often does not reach the surface of the earth: it evaporates in the air due to the high temperature. Intense heat during the day gives way to piercing cold at night, and sandy and dusty browns sweep away all living things in their path. The surface of the rocks during the day heats up to + 70 °C, and at night the temperature rapidly drops by 20-30 °C. Even stones cannot withstand such sudden changes. At midday, during the hottest period, you can sometimes hear a loud and sharp crackling sound. These are overheated stones cracking and flying into pieces. In the Sahara they are called “shooting”. Desert inhabitants say: “The sun in our country makes even the stones scream.”

Due to varying degrees of surface destruction, three types of deserts were formed in the Sahara: rocky, sandy and clayey. Rocky deserts (hamadas) are common in highlands, plateaus and elevated plains consisting of hard rocks. Sandy deserts (ergs) occupy mostly low-lying plains and basins (Fig. 73). They amaze with the endless “sea” of dunes and dunes blown by the wind. Clay deserts are less common.

Rice. 73. Sandy desert in the Sahara

The insignificant amount of precipitation has led to the fact that there are no permanent watercourses in the desert (except for the Nile), but dry riverbeds remain - wadi They fill with water only when it rains, but not for long. The sun quickly evaporates the water, and after a few hours the river disappears.

Since the desert has sparse vegetation, there is little organic residue in the soil. Formed here desert tropical soils. They are poor in nutrients and form very thin elephants. Only in clay deserts does the soil retain more water and contain mineral salts needed by plants.

All life in the Sahara is concentrated in oases. They occur where groundwater comes close to the surface of the earth (Fig. 74). There are wells or springs, temporary lakes formed in basins. They grow in oases acacias, found ducks, doves, pigeons, hazel grouse, desert lark, runners, falcons. The hospitable “hostess” of desert oases is date palm (Fig. 75), giving people cozy shade and tasty fruits. Cool juice flows out of the cut in the trunk. The leaves of the tree are used to weave baskets and shoes.

But oases are extremely rare. There is almost no vegetation on the vast expanses of the Sahara. They have adapted to the harsh desert climate ephemera plants with a short period of active existence. The rain will rustle - and immediately leaves and flowers appear on them. Ephemera ripen, bloom and wither so quickly that their seeds ripen by the next rain and are just waiting for water to germinate quickly.

Thanks to the long root system, it receives moisture from groundwater camel thorn (Fig. 70). Its leaves are modified into short needles to reduce water evaporation.

Of the animals that survive, those who are able to quickly run from one oasis to another (antelope), accumulate water in your body ( camel-people) (Fig. 77), or some predators that hardly drink water, getting it with the blood of their victims (fennec fox). Reptiles are best adapted to life in the desert: snakes, lizards, turtles. They have dry, scaly skin that evaporates little water. These animals hide from the sun in sand or crevices and feed on insects.

Coastal desert in southern Africa Namib (Fig. 78). The climate here is extremely harsh. The very name of the desert speaks about this: “that which is avoided.” Rainfall is extremely rare, so most of the desert is devoid of vegetation - only rocks, stone, sand and salt. High sand dunes, not anchored by plant roots, move in the direction of the prevailing wind. Only along the rivers do acacias and ta-marisco trees grow. The most amazing plant of the Namib Desert - Velvichia (Fig. 79). This tree has a short (5-10 cm) and thick (up to 1 m in diameter) trunk, from which two leathery leaves up to 3 m long extend. Welwitschia is supplied with moisture by leaves that absorb it from the fog. The plant lives up to 2000 years and never sheds its leaves, which grow all the time.

The most severe nature is the ocean coast of the desert. It is no coincidence that this area was called the Skeleton Coast. Diamond seekers and shipwrecked people have died here more than once from thirst.

Semi-desert Kalahari covered with huge sand dunes, which one after another, like giant waves, rush onto its surface. The dunes are colored pink, red and dark red, almost brown, as the soil contains a lot of iron. There is more precipitation than in the Namib Desert, so the Kalahari has vegetation cover. In some places the desert resembles a steppe. Tough grass grows on the tops of the dunes, which turns green during rains and becomes faded during drought. Material from the site

Low bushes with thorns can also grow on the slopes of dunes. Found in the Kalahari milkweed, aloe and other plants that accumulate moisture in stems, leaves, and trunks. Kalahari - homeland watermelons Wild watermelons still replace water here for people and animals.

The fauna of deserts and semi-deserts in southern Africa is presented lizards, snakes, turtles. Many insects: different types beetles, locusts, scorpions etc. Meet lions, cheetahs, jackals. Even elephants sometimes enter the Namib Desert to escape poachers.

The population of the desert zone of Africa is nomadic livestock farming, in oases - agriculture. Industrial settlements for mining are appearing. A trans-Saharan highway has been built, and caravan routes between the oases have been preserved.

Human economic activity leads to the expansion of the desert zone due to semi-deserts and savannas.

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On this page there is material on the following topics:

message about tropical deserts
essay on the topic of the African desert, grade 3
information about tropical deserts of africa
tropical deserts and semi-deserts of Africa

The equator line passes through the center of the African continent, and thus symmetrically divides it into different natural zones. Zones of equatorial forests give way to savannas, savannas turn into semi-deserts, semi-deserts into deserts.

The number of reservoirs, the level of precipitation, as well as human economic activity have a huge impact on the formation of natural zones.

Zone of equatorial forests and savannas

Evergreen forests occupy the area from the Congo River to the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The climate in this area is very hot and humid. Unlike the equatorial forests of South America, trees with less thick bark grow in Africa; palm trees are rarely found among them.

In the equatorial forests of Africa, unique species of trees grow, the wood of which is considered the most expensive in the world - ebony and mahogany. Tropical rainforests grow on the east coast of Africa and in the east of the island of Madagascar.

The forests of equatorial Africa are framed by savannas. The level of savanna vegetation directly depends on the level of precipitation falling in the region.

Thus, during rainy periods, cereal plants are found here, the height of which reaches 5 m. During periods of prolonged drought, the territory of the savanna is covered with dry plants and shrubs. Baobabs, acacias and milkweeds are very common in savannas.

Deserts and semi-deserts

In northern Africa, deserts occupy a large area of land. It is here that the largest desert in the world is located - the Sahara. Vegetation in the Sahara is poorly developed: here there are plants that have well-developed mechanical tissue and are highly drought-resistant.

Cereal plants are found in the Southern Sahara; shrubs are common in the north of the desert. Date and coconut palms grow in the oases of the Sahara Desert. There are two deserts in South Africa: the Karoo and the Namib.

Succulent plants are common here, mainly aloe and euphorbia, as well as acacia shrubs. On the outskirts of African deserts there are semi-deserts that were formed as a result of massive deforestation in savannas. Tuberous and bulbous plants, as well as feather grass, are typical for semi-deserts.

Fauna Resources

Breeding European animal breeds in Africa is almost impossible. This is explained by the fact that European species cannot withstand the climatic conditions of this continent. Animals such as hippopotamuses, giraffes, elephants and antelopes are common throughout Africa.

These animals are not picky about environmental conditions, can withstand high temperatures and lack of water resources, and do not suffer from poisonous insect bites, in particular the Tsetse fly, which lives in equatorial and subequatorial Africa.

Questions to consider:

1. Characteristics of the desert

2. Desert Vegetation

3. Desert fauna

4. Desertification

5. Semi-desert

6. Protection of deserts and semi-deserts

7. Occupations of the population of deserts and semi-deserts

1. Characteristics of the desert.

Desert - a geographical zone with a hot, arid climate and sparse sparse vegetation in the temperate subtropical and tropical zones of the Earth.

The area of deserts is estimated at 31.4 million km 2 (about 22% of land).

Deserts are found on every continent except Europe and are located within the borders of approximately 60 countries. In the mountains, the desert forms an altitudinal zone (high-mountain desert), and on the plains it forms a natural zone.Distributed in the temperate zone of the Northern Hemisphere, subtropical and tropical zones of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Large deserts of the world:

Gobi – Central Asia, Mongolia and northern China

Taklamakan borders the Pamirs and Tibet from the north. Central Asia

Sahara - North Africa

Libyan Desert – north of the Sahara

Namib - Southwestern coast of Africa

Kyzylkum - between the Syrdarya and Amudarya rivers, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan

Karakum - Turkmenistan

Atacama – Northern Chile, South America

Northern Mexico

Great Victoria Desert

Great Sandy Desert

Climatic conditions:

One of the main features of the desert is the lack of moisture, which is explained by the insignificant (50- 200 mm per year) by the amount of precipitation that evaporates faster than it seeps into the soil. Sometimes there is no rain for several years. Most of the territory is drainless, and only in places there are transit rivers or lakes that periodically dry up and change their shape (Lop Nor, Chad, Air). Some deserts formed within ancient river, delta and lake plains, others on platform land areas. Deserts are often surrounded by or bordered by mountains.

Over the course of a long geological history, deserts have changed their boundaries. For example, the Sahara - the greatest desert in the world - stretched for 400- 500 km south of the current position.

Precipitation 50-200 mm per year

There are 200-300 clear days a year

Air temperature +45° in the shade. Surface temperature during the day + 50-60° (up to 80° and even 94° - Death Valley), at night + 2-5° (sudden changes)

Dry winds, storms. Winter in Russia frosts with thin snow cover.

Contrary to the popular belief that the desert is an endless, monotonous sea of sand, the most common are rocky deserts, or hamads, often located on plateaus or mountain ranges with outcrops of bizarre shapes. Among them, pebble and gravelly deserts stand out, impressive with their almost complete lifelessness. Areas of such deserts can be seen in the Sahara, Kyzylkum, and on the Arabian Peninsula. Under conditions of a huge daily temperature range, with periodic wetting and drying of rocks, a characteristic shiny dark crust is formed on their surface, the so-called desert tan, which protects the rock from rapid weathering and destruction. Often rocky deserts turn into sandy ones. In Central Asia they are called kumas, in Africa - ergs, in Arabia - nefuds. Sands are easily transported by the wind, forming aeolian landforms: dunes, dunes, safes, etc. Single dunes and dunes not secured by vegetation can move tens of meters per year. Sometimes sand blown by the wind makes a special sound. In such cases, they talk about singing dunes or dunes (in Dagestan, the singing dune is declared a natural monument). But the bulk of the sand is motionless, as it is held in place by the long roots of shrubs and grasses that have adapted to conditions of constant moisture deficiency. The largest sandy deserts in the world include: the Libyan Desert, Rub al-Khali, Nefud, Great Sandy Desert, Great Victoria Desert, Karakum Desert, Kyzylkum.

Clay deserts develop on clayey deposits of various origins. Largest clay deserts: Ustyurt, Dashte-Lut, Deshte-Kevir Betpak-Dala and others. Their relief is characterized by takyrs and sors.

Saline deserts are formed on saline (saline) soils and are scattered in separate spots among other types of deserts.

TAKYR - flat clayey surfaces, almost devoid of vegetation, in the deserts of the subtropical zone, an area of several m2 up to tens of km 2 . In spring they are usually filled with water.

SALT CHARKS - soil types of steppe, semi-desert and desert zones. Contains water-soluble salts, 0.5-10% humus. In the Russian Federation - in the Caspian lowland.

SORA (blinders), closed depressions in deserts Wed. Asia, covered with a crust of salts or a puffy layer of salt dust. They are formed in sands due to evaporation and salinization of near-surface groundwater or on strata of salt-bearing bedrock under conditions of an exudate water regime with the formation of salt marshes.

SAHEL (Arabic - coast, outskirts) - the name of the transition strip (width up to 400 km ) from the Sahara deserts to the savannas of West Africa. Semi-deserts and deserted savannas predominate. Precipitation 200- 600 mm in year; frequent droughts.

Desert types

Deserts are sandy (Sahara, Karakum, Kyzylkum, Great Victoria Desert), clayey (Southern Kazakhstan, southern Central Asia), rocky (England, Israel) and saline (Caspian lowland).

2. Desert vegetation.

Desert vegetation does not form a closed cover and usually occupies less than 50% of the surface, characterized by a great variety of life forms and great sparseness.

Plant types:

1. Succulents - agave, aloe, cacti

2. The root system reaches groundwater

(roots 20-30 m ) - camel-thorn

3. Heat-resistant, able to tolerate dehydration - wormwood

4. Ephemeroids - develop for a short period of time, then rhizomes or bulbs remain in the soil. – tulip, sedge, bluegrass

XEROPHYTES (from the Greek xeros - dry and phyton - plant), plants adapted to life in arid habitats. Several types: succulents - heat-resistant, but do not tolerate dehydration (agave, aloe, cacti); hemyxerophytes - do not tolerate prolonged dehydration, the root system reaches groundwater (sage, camel thorn); euxerophytes - heat-resistant, able to tolerate dehydration (wormwood, gray speedwell, some mullein); poikiloxerophytes - when dehydrated, they go into suspended animation (some mosses).

EPHEMERA, annual herbaceous plants, the entire development of which usually occurs in a very short time (several weeks), usually in early spring. Characteristic of steppes, semi-deserts and deserts (for example, dimorphic quinoa).

EPHEMEROIDS, perennial herbaceous plants, the above-ground organs of which develop from autumn to spring and die in the summer, while the underground organs (bulbs, tubers) persist for several years. Characteristic of steppes, semi-deserts and deserts (species of tulip, sedge, bluegrass)

Plant adaptations:

root system deep into the soil;

modified leaves or spines, scales;

pubescent leaves - contributes to less evaporation;

dropping leaves with the onset of heat;

flowering only in spring.

Sandy deserts of Asia (Karakum, Kyzylkum, mouth of the Volga River)

Herbs, trees, leafless shrubs and semi-shrubs:

white saxaul (5 m),

sand acacia,

Chingil silvery - bush,

juzgun,

ephedra,

camel thorn (a genus of subshrubs and perennial herbs of the legume family, eaten by camels, root length 20- 30 m.),

grate - cereal,

swollen sedge,

seline (aristida) - cereal

Clay deserts of Asia (South Kazakhstan, lower reaches of the Ural River, south of Central Asia)

wormwood,

solyanka,

black saxaul (12 m ), Wood is used for fuel; green twigs are food for camels and sheep. Good sand fixer

bulbous bluegrass,

desert alyssum,

milkweed.

Asia. Saline deserts (Caspian lowland)

saltwort

knobby sarsazan

Africa

Celine (aristide)

Date palm trees in oases

America

Succulents (agave, aloe, cacti - cereus, prickly pear), yucca

3. Desert fauna

Accessories:

protective sand coloring,

fast run,

go without water for a long time,

hibernate

nocturnal lifestyle,

holes in the sand

bird nests on the ground (on bushes and trees).

Insects and arachnids: scarab, slowworm, scorpion, desert locust

Reptiles:fast foot-and-mouth disease, steppe agama, monitor lizard, round-headed lizard, frilled lizard, land iguana, sand boa, arrow snake, viper, efa, steppe viper, Central Asian tortoise, panther tortoise (Africa).

Birds:Sadzha (grouse), saxaul jay, desert warbler, field pipist, desert whiter, avdotka.

Rodents:jerboas, thin-toed ground squirrel, gerbils, giant mole rat.

Eared hedgehog.

Ungulates:goitered gazelle, antelopes, including gazelles, saiga, kulan.

Predatory:wolf, fennec fox, striped hyena, house (reed cat), sand cat, jackal, coyote, manul, caracal, South Russian bandaged, honey badger, Cape South African fox.

4. Desertification

The advance of deserts onto other areas of the earth is called desertification.

Causes:

Overgrazing.

Intensive long-term cultivation of the land.

Drought.

The Sahara, moving south, annually takes away 100 thousand hectares of arable land and pastures.

Atacama moves at speed 2.5 km per year.

Thar - 1 km per year.

5. Semi-deserts

Semi-deserts - areas that combine the nature of steppes and deserts, found in temperate, subtropical and tropical zones of the Earth (except Antarctica) and forming a natural zone located between the steppe zone in the north and the desert zone in the south.

In temperate Asia:

from the Caspian lowland to the eastern border of China.

In the subtropics:

Anatolian plateau, Armenian Highlands, Iranian plateau, Karoo , Flinders, Andean foothills, Rocky Mountain valleys, etc.

In the tropics of Africa:

south of the Sahara, in the Sahel zone (desert savannah)

Plants:

Russia:tulips, sedge, bluegrass, wormwood, mullein, solyanka.

America: cacti.

Africa and Australia: thickets of bushesand rare low-growing trees (acacia, doum palm, baobab)

Animals:

hares

rodents (gophers, jerboas, gerbils, voles, hamsters), meerkats,

reptiles;

antelope,

bezoar goat,

mouflon,

kulan, Przewalski's horse

predators: jackal, striped hyena, caracal, serval, steppe cat, fennec fox, house

birds,

many insects and arachnids (karakurt, scorpions).

6. Protection of deserts and semi-deserts

Reserves and national parks

Desert:

Semi-desert:

Ustyurt Reserve,

Tiger beam,

Aral-Paigambar.

Listed in the Red Book: Bandage, mole rat, gazelle, saiga, saja, caracal, serval

7. Occupations of the population of desert and semi-desert

Desert:breeding of sheep, goats and camels, irrigated agriculture and gardening only in oases (cotton, wheat, barley, sugar cane, olive tree, date palm).

Semi-desert:Pasture livestock farming and oasis farming are developed on irrigated lands.

Camels live in deserts (dromedary camels in Africa, Bactrian camels in Asia).

FAMOUS DESERTS OF THE WORLD

GOBI (from Mongolian - waterless place), a strip of deserts and semi-deserts in Central Asia, in the south and southeast of Mongolia and in adjacent areas of China. Bounded in the north by mountainsMongolian Altai and Khangai, in the south - Nanshan and Altyntag. Divided intoTrans-Altai Gobi , Mongolian Gobi , Alashan Gobi , Gashunskaya Gobiand Dzungarian Gobi. Area over 1000 thousand km2 .

Plains predominate at an altitude of 900- 1200 m , composed mainly of rockschalk, Paleogene And Neogene. They alternate with more ancient small hills, ridges and island ridges (up to 1800 m ). Sloping piedmont plains are dissected by numerous dry channels flowing into closed depressions, which are occupied by drying lakes, salt marshes or hard clay surfaces; There are also small massifs of shifting sands.

The climate is sharply continental and temperate (temperature fluctuations from –40 °C in January to + 45°C in July). Precipitation per year ranges from 68 mm in the northwest of the Alashan Gobi to 200 mm in northeast Mongolia; there is a summer maximum. There are almost no rivers with constant flow; most riverbeds are watered only in summer. The soils are gray-brown and brown, often in combination with sandy deserts, salt marshes and takyrs. Carbonate, gypsum-bearing and coarse gravelly soil varieties are typical.

Desert vegetation is sparse and sparse. On the plateau and piedmont plains there is small-shrub gypsophilic vegetation (barnyard grass, parfolia, teresken, reomuria, several species of saltpeter and saltwort). On the salt marshes, in addition to saltpeter and saltwort, there are tamarisks and potash grass. On the sands there are sand wormwood, Zaisan saxaul, kopeck grass, perennial and annual grasses. Semi-deserts are widespread in the northeast and east of Mongolia, where, along with wormwood and solyanka, cereal groups are developed, and rare clumps of dwarf shrub caragana are found. A wild camel, a wild ass, a Przewalski's horse, several species of antelope, and many rodents and reptiles have been preserved. Many endemic species of flora and fauna. Great Gobi Nature Reserve (within Mongolia).

Livestock (small ruminants, camels, horses, and, to a lesser extent, cattle). Fairly abundant groundwater is of great importance for water supply. Agriculture is developed only in river valleys.

KYZYLKUM, desert in Wed. Asia, in the area between the Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, in Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and partly in Turkmenistan. OK. 300 thousand km2 . Plain (height up to 300 m ) with a number of closed depressions and isolated mountain ranges (Sultanuizdag, Bukantau, etc.). Most of it is occupied by ridge sands; in the north-west there are many takyrs; there are oases. Used as pasture.

SAHARA desert in Africa, the largest in the world. St. 7 million km2 . The countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, Libya, Egypt, Mauritania, Mali, Niger, Chad, Sudan are located entirely or partially on the territory of the Sahara. OK. 80% of the Sahara are plains with a height of 200- 500 m . In the northeast there are drainage depressions: Qattara (133 m), El-Fayoum, etc. In the central part there are mountain ranges: Ahaggar, Tibesti (Mount Emi-Kusi, 3415 m , the highest point of the Sahara). Rocky and gravelly (hamads), pebble (regs) and sandy (including ergs) deserts predominate. The climate is tropical desert: there is less rainfall in most of the territory 50 mm per year (on the outskirts 100 - 200 mm ). Average temperatures in January are not lower than 10 °C; absolute maximum 57.8 °C, absolute minimum -18 °C (Tibesti). Daily air temperature amplitudes are more than 30 °C, soil temperatures are up to 70 °C. In addition to the transit river. Nile and parts of the Niger, there are no permanent watercourses. Dry beds of ancient and modern watercourses (wadis, or oueds) predominate. Groundwater feeds numerous oases. The vegetation cover is extremely sparse and sometimes absent. Farming (date palm, grains, vegetables) in oases. Nomadic and semi-nomadic livestock raising.

TAKLA MAKAN desert in western China, one of the largest sand deserts in the world. Length from west to east over 1000 km, width up to 400 km , sand area over 300 thousand km2 .

It was formed under conditions of long-term accumulation of sediments within the Tarim Basin, which is composed mainly of alluvial deposits (the Tarim River and its tributaries), partially blown over. The surface is flat, gradually decreasing to the north and east from 1200- 1300 m to 800-900 m . In the west, single ridges rise above Taklamakan (the highest point is Mount Chongtag, 1664 m ), composed of sandstones.

Most of the territory is covered with sands up to 300 m . In the southwest dunes predominate, in the northeast there are sand ridges of complex configuration (including large ones, sometimes stretching for 10- 13 km , - the so-called whale backs), sand pyramids (height 150- 300 m ) etc. Along the outskirts of Taklamakan, significant areas are occupied by salt marshes.

The climate is moderately warm, sharply continental, with negligible (less 50 mm per year) amount of precipitation. The atmosphere is characterized by high dust content. The rivers flowing from Kunlun penetrate into the depths of Taklamakan by 100- 200 km , gradually drying up in the sands. Only the Khotan River crosses the desert and in summer brings its waters to the Tarim River, which flows along the western and northern outskirts of Taklamakan.

Depth of groundwater in relief depressions (within ancient deltas and old rivers) 3- 5 m , they are usually difficult for plants to access, so most of the territory is devoid of vegetation cover and only in places with close groundwater there are sparse thickets of tamarisk, saltpeter, and reeds. Along the outskirts of Taklamakan and river valleys one can find turanga poplar, oleaster, camel thorn, annual saltwort, and saxaul. The fauna is poor (rare herds of antelopes, hares, gerbils, jerboas, voles); in river valleys there are wild boars.

Individual oases (mainly in the valleys of the Tarim and Yarkand rivers). There is no permanent population. Near the southern outskirts of Taklimakan, among the sands, there are the ruins of ancient settlements, confined to dry valleys.

ATACAMA (Atacama), desert in northern Chile, in the South. America, along the Pacific coast, between 22-27° S. sh.; less precipitation 50 mm in year. The river is crossed. Loa. Large deposits of copper ores (Chukicamata, El Salvador), saltpeter (Taltal), table salt, and borax.

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

Przewalski's horse (Equus caballus), an equine mammal. Body length 2.3 m , height at withers approx. 1.3 m . This is a completely typical horse, densely built, with a heavy head, thick neck, strong legs and small ears. Its tail is shorter than that of a domestic horse, and its mane is erect and short. The color is sandy-red or reddish-yellow. The mane and tail are black-brown, a black-brown belt runs down the middle of the back, and the end of the muzzle is white. In summer the hair is short and tight, in winter it is longer and thicker.

This wild horse was discovered and described in Central Asia by N. M. Przhevalsky in 1878. It was once widespread, but by the end of the 19th century it survived only in the southwest of Mongolia (in Dzungaria), where it was last seen (in natural conditions) in 1967-1969. Przewalski's horse herds consisted of 5-11 mares and foals led by a stallion. They were very mobile and constantly moved, which was determined by both poor winter pastures and uneven rainfall in their habitats. Constant migrations have led to the fact that these horses have become very hardy and strong. They always emerged victorious from fights with domestic stallions.

The main reason for the destruction of the population in natural conditions is fishing (hunting, poaching) and competition for watering places with livestock. Almost immediately after the discovery of the animals, the owner of the Askania-Nova park F. Falz-Fein and later the animal dealer K. Gagenbeck began to look for opportunities to get these rare animals. In this struggle, various means were used. Hagenbeck, having learned about Falz-Fein's suppliers in Biysk, with the help of his agents, bought 28 foals. Despite the fact that by the beginning of the 20th century, 52 purebred Przewalski horses were brought to Europe, only three pairs served as a source for breeding. The Przewalski's horse is kept in many zoos around the world; several dozen individuals live in semi-free conditions in the Askania-Nova Nature Reserve. An international plan has been developed for the reintroduction of Przewalski's horse into its original habitat - the mountain-steppe zone of Mongolia.

Jerboas (jerboas, Dipodidae) are a family of mammals of the rodent order; includes 11 genera and about 30 species, including the three-toed dwarf jerboa, the great jerboa, the long-eared jerboa, and the hairy jerboa. Jerboas are characterized by a large head with a blunt muzzle, long rounded ears, large round eyes and long vibrissae, a short short body (body length 4- 26 cm ), small front legs, powerful jumping hind legs. Large ears, eyes and long vibrissae indicate a highly developed hearing, twilight vision and touch, which are necessary for jerboas when searching for food and protecting themselves from enemies at night. The small front legs are used for grasping and holding food, as well as for digging holes, in which jerboas achieve great skill. The hind limbs are jumping limbs, and in connection with this function they are greatly modified: the foot is elongated and the three middle metatarsal bones are fused into one common bone called the tarsus. The tail plays an important role when moving: it serves to maintain body balance when jumping, especially during sharp turns at a fast pace. The black and white tassel at the end of the tail in many species is called a banner and serves as a signaling device for intraspecific communication. In addition to gnawing food, the incisors serve to loosen the soil when digging holes, while the limbs are used mainly for raking out loosened soil.

Jerboas are distributed from Northern and Northeastern Africa, Southeast Europe, Asia Minor and Western Asia through Transcaucasia, Central Asia, Kazakhstan, the extreme south of Siberia (Altai, Tuva, Transbaikalia) to Northeast China and Mongolia. They are mainly found in semi-desert and desert landscapes, only a few species inhabit the steppe zone, and some penetrate into the mountains to higher altitudes 2 km above sea level. Different species have developed adaptations to living on loose or dense soils, and therefore jerboas can be found in sandy, clayey, and gravelly semi-deserts and deserts.

Jerboas are typically nocturnal animals. Before dawn, they hide in holes that they build themselves. The main passage of the jerboa's burrow runs obliquely below the surface with one or more blind backup passages approaching almost to the surface. The main passage is clogged for the day with an earthen plug called a kopeck. From this penny, which has not yet dried out in the early morning, you can find a jerboa's hole. If you start digging out an inhabited hole, the animal knocks out the ceiling of one of the emergency passages and jumps out through it. In the far part of the main passage, the jerboa digs up a hole with a rounded living chamber, which is lined with finely chewed blades of grass. Jerboas spend the winter period in deep hibernation in their burrows.

The food for jerboas is the seeds of various plants and lily bulbs, which they dig from the ground. The diet also includes green parts and roots of plants, and in some species a significant proportion of the diet consists of animal food (small insects and their larvae). In spring and summer, the animals reproduce; the female gives birth to 1-8 cubs (usually 2-5).

Jerboas play an important role in desert biocenoses. They have a significant impact on soil and vegetation cover and serve as food for desert predators. In many areas, jerboas are background animals. Some species damage plants that strengthen sand; they can be carriers of pathogens of a number of infectious diseases of animals and humans.

GERBILS (Gerbillinae), a subfamily of mammals of the rodent order; includes about 100 species, grouped into 13 genera, including dwarf, small, large, short-eared, fat-tailed gerbils, taters (barefoot gerbils). Externally, gerbils resemble rats or mice. Their body length is up to 19 cm , reddish-yellow long tail with a tassel. The back is yellow-sandy, the belly is white.

Gerbils are common in the desert steppes and deserts of Africa, Asia and Southeast Europe. They feed mainly on plant foods, but can also eat small invertebrates. They do not hibernate during the winter, but in cold weather they do not leave their burrows for a long time, feeding on prepared reserves. Many breed year-round, with females having multiple litters of 2 to 12 young. Gerbils are carriers of the pathogens of plague and tick-borne typhus; they damage agricultural lands. These animals are often kept at home.

GEYRAN (Gazella subgutturosa), an artiodactyl mammal of the genus of true gazelles (Gazella) of the gazelle subfamily (Antilopinae); forms 2-4 weakly expressed subspecies. Body length 95- 125 cm , height at withers 60- 75 cm, weight 18-33 kg . Males have black and lyre-shaped horns up to 40 cm . Females are usually hornless. The color of the upper body and sides is sandy. The underparts, neck and inside of the legs are white. The tail is two-colored: the main part is sandy, the end is black. When a frightened gazelle runs, it raises it to the top, and its tail stands out sharply against the background of a white mirror. For this feature, the Kazakhs and Mongols called the gazelle the black tail (kara-kuyryuk, khara-sulte). Young goitered gazelles have a pronounced facial pattern in the form of a dark brown spot on the bridge of the nose and two dark stripes stretching forward from the eyes.

Goitered gazelle is common in Western, Middle and Central Asia, Southern Kazakhstan, as well as in Eastern Transcaucasia. It lives in flat, hilly deserts and cereal-salt semi-deserts. As good runners, goitered gazelles prefer areas with dense soil, avoiding loose sand. In summer, they graze in the morning and evening, and spend the hottest time lying down, saving moisture. The beds are located on level ground near trees, often favorite ones, and bushes. Dzheyran moves after the shadow of the tree, hiding, first of all, his head from the sun. Raised from its rest, the gazelle quickly jumps up and rushes at a speed of 55- 60 km/h about 200-300 m , then looks around. In winter it grazes almost all day.

Goitered gazelles feed on herbaceous or shrubby plants, in summer choosing the grasses most saturated with moisture: barnyard grass, onions, ferules. Goitered gazelles usually go to watering places with open and level banks without dense coastal thickets in 10- 15 km once every 3-7 days. They are able to quench thirst not only with fresh, but also with brackish water (including from the Caspian Sea). The grass that goitered gazelles eat may also contain significant amounts of salt.

In spring and summer, animals live alone or in small groups of 2-5 animals. In autumn and winter they gather in herds of several dozen to hundreds of animals. Then the rut occurs. The beginning of the rut is preceded by the installation of rutting latrines by males. In September, males dig small holes with their front hooves and leave their excrement there. Other males, finding such holes, may throw out old excrement and leave their own there. Obviously, such pits serve as markers of occupied territory. Pregnancy in females lasts 5.5 months. In May, the female brings one, or less often two, cubs. For the first days, newborns only lie on a bare piece of ground. The sandy-brown color of the baby gazelle blends so well with the soil that you can easily step on the baby without noticing it. The cub begins to follow its mother and feed itself after two weeks. The main natural enemy of the goitered gazelle is the wolf.

In captivity, the gazelle is well tamed and reproduces, but does not live long. The gazelle population is declining, although work is underway to restore the number of animals. The subspecies from the Arabian Peninsula (Gazella subgutturosa marica) is listed in the International Red Book.

Fennec (Fennecus zerda) is a species of predatory animal of the wolf family. Outwardly it resembles a miniature fox. Body length approx 40 cm , tail to 30 cm ; weight 1.5 kg ; ears are large (height up to 15 cm ) and wide. The coat is long, reddish-cream, fawn or almost white on top; The tip of the fluffy tail is black. Fennec fox lives in the deserts of North Africa and South-West Asia. It is active at night and spends the day in a deep hole. Huge ears allow the Fenech to catch the slightest rustle. In case of danger, he buries himself in the sand. When hunting, the fennec can jump high and far. It feeds on small rodents, birds and their eggs, lizards, insects, carrion, and plants. The female's pregnancy lasts 51 days. Cubs (2–5) are born in March–April in a burrow with a nesting chamber lined with grass, feathers and wool.

JACKALS, a group of species of predatory mammals of the wolf family. The most common is the Asian jackal (Canis aureus), which in appearance is similar to a small wolf. Its body length is up to 85 cm , tail about 20 cm ; weight 7–13 kg. The color of the coat in winter is fawn, dirty yellow, with a noticeable red and black tint, the tail is reddish-brown with a black tip. It is found in southern Eurasia, North Africa; in Russia mainly in the North Caucasus. The Asian jackal prefers to settle in thickets of bushes and reeds, on plains, near rivers, lakes and seas. It is less common in the foothills. The jackal uses natural niches and depressions, crevices among stones, and sometimes abandoned holes as shelters. The animal is active mainly at night, but often during the day. Migrates only in search of food.

The jackal is omnivorous, but feeds mainly on small animals: rodents, birds, fish, as well as insects, carrion and the remains of the prey of large predators. It also eats fruits and berries, including grapes, watermelons, melons, and plant bulbs. Living near villages, he also hunts poultry. When going out to hunt, the jackal emits a loud howl, which is picked up by all its relatives nearby. They hunt more often alone or in pairs. The jackal forms pairs for life; the male takes an active part in creating a hole and raising offspring. The rut occurs from January to February. Pregnancy lasts about 2 months. Usually 4–6, rarely 8 puppies are born. The Asian jackal is a carrier of dangerous diseases (rabies and plague). It has no commercial significance.

The scooping jackal (Canis mesomelas) and the side-striped jackal (Canis adustus) live in Eastern and Southern Africa. In their lifestyle and habits they are similar to the Asian jackal. The Ethiopian jackal (Canis simensis) is found in Ethiopia. Outwardly, he looks like a dog with a fox head. A wide black stripe stretches along the middle of the back, sharply demarcated from the red sides and limbs. The belly is white, the tail is long red, with a black end. The Ethiopian jackal lives in the mountains at altitude 3000 m , it feeds on rodents and hares. Its numbers are small and this animal is protected.

COYOTE (grass wolf, Canis latrans), a predatory mammal of the wolf family. Body length approx 90 cm , tail - 30 cm . Erect ears, a long fluffy tail, which, in contrast to a wolf, he holds down when running. The coat is thick, long, grayish or reddish-brown in color on the back and sides, very light on the belly. The end of the tail is black. The coyote is distinguished by developed higher nervous activity; it is able to adapt to a changing environment.

The coyote lives in the prairies and steppes of North and Central America. Runs into the forests by chance. His lifestyle has a lot in common with the jackal. It makes its lair in caves, hollows of fallen trees, and deep burrows. The loud howl of a coyote is an integral part of the color of the prairies. It feeds on rodents, hares, rabbits, birds and lizards, sometimes fish and fruits, and does not disdain carrion. It rarely attacks domestic animals (goats, sheep). Hunts both alone and in a pack; destroys a lot of harmful rodents. It is completely safe for humans. Pairs form for life, the rut takes place in January-February. Pregnancy lasts 60-65 days. There are 5-10, sometimes up to 20 cubs in a litter.

CARCAL (Felis caracal), a predatory mammal of the cat family, genus of cats. Body length 65- 82 cm , tail 20- 31 cm ; weight 11- 13 kg . In appearance and ear tufts it resembles a lynx. But he has a thinner, more slender body, with tall, thin legs; It is also distinguished by a uniform light red color. There are small black markings on the face and ears, and the ends of the ears are decorated with tassels.

It lives in the deserts of Africa and Asia, including in the south of Turkmenistan. It hunts mainly at night, and during the day finds shelter in abandoned burrows. The caracal steals prey and overtakes it with large (up to 4.5 m ) jumping. Mainly feeds on rodents: gerbils, jerboas, ground squirrels, as well as tolai hares; less often birds, small antelopes, hedgehogs, porcupines. Can hunt livestock and poultry.

Cubs (1 to 4) are born in early April. In ancient times, caracals were trained to hunt antelope, hares and birds. It has no commercial significance. Few in number. The caracal is listed in the International Red Book. Protected in the Repetek Nature Reserve.

KULAN (onager, Equus hemionus), an equine mammal. Body length 2.0- 2.4 m , height at withers 110- 137 cm , weight 120- 127 kg . In appearance, the kulan is slender and light. The head is relatively heavy, the ears are longer than those of a horse. The tail is short, with a black-brown brush at the end, like that of donkeys and zebras. Colored sandy yellow in various shades. The belly and inner parts of the legs are white. From the withers to the croup and along the tail there is a narrow black-brown stripe. The mane is low.

Kulan is widespread in Western, Middle and Central Asia. However, the once large range has shrunk significantly. The number is restored only in nature reserves, including in the south of Turkmenistan (Badkhyz Nature Reserve). The kulan was introduced to the island of Barsakelmes and to the foothills of the Kopetdag. Habitats depend on territorial features. The animal can inhabit hilly plains or foothills, deserts and semi-deserts. With the exception of spring, when pastures are covered with young, lush grass, kulans need daily watering and do not move further than 10 days from water bodies. 15 km . When in danger, they can reach speeds of 60- 70 km/h without slowing down for several kilometers. There are no strictly defined periods of grazing and rest.

The kulan is peaceful towards most animals, except sheep, and often grazes with goitered gazelle and herds of horses. These animals have developed mutual communication; as soon as the goitered gazelle becomes wary, or shouts in alarm to the birds, the kulan takes off from its place. An angry kulan is very ferocious.

Kulans have well-developed vision, hearing and sense of smell. Approach the kulan undetected at a distance of 1- 1.5 km impossible. However, he can pass by a motionless person at a distance 1.5 m , and this is due to the characteristics of his visual apparatus. The kulans can hear the click of a camera from a distance 60 m . These are silent animals. With a cry reminiscent of a donkey, but more dull and hoarse, the male calls the herd.

The rut occurs from May to August. During the rutting period, the male begins to prance in front of the females, raising his head high. Often runs around the herd, jumps, screams, rolls on its back, tears with its teeth and throws up tufts of grass.

Even before the start of the rut, adult males drive young kulans out of the herds. During this period, serious fights between males occur. With their mouths bared and their ears flattened, they, with bloodshot eyes, rush at each other, trying to grab the hock joint. If one succeeds, then he begins to spin the opponent in a circle and gnaw his neck.

Pregnancy of females lasts 331-374 days, on average 345. Cubs are born from April to August. For the first hours they lie motionless, but already on the first day they begin to graze with their mother. The grown-up little kulan becomes very active. When he wants to eat, he walks around his mother, digs the ground with his foot near her belly, and throws his legs over her neck. The male protects the cubs from possible attacks by young kulans. Animals reproduce in captivity. Kulans are protected everywhere, two subspecies - the Syrian kulan (Equus hemionus hemippus) and the Indian kulan (Equus hemionus khur) are listed in the International Red Book.

CAMELS (Camelus), a genus of mammals of the camelid family of the order Callus; includes two species: dromedary (one-humped) and bactrian (two-humped). Length up to 3.6 m . Camels are characterized by the following characteristics: they do not have hooves - their legs end in two toes with blunt claws, and the lower surface of the foot is protected by an elastic calloused pad. They are common in the deserts of Central Asia (Bactrian), as well as in Africa, Arabia, Asia Minor, and India (Dromedar).

Camels feed on shrub and semi-shrub saltworts, tree leaves, and bulbs. The well-known ability of camels to go without water for a long time is due to the fact that they can tolerate a slight increase in body temperature without increased moisture loss. This feature allows you to spend less moisture on cooling. In addition, moderate dehydration in a camel is not accompanied by thickening of the blood and disruption of its circulation, as in mammals not adapted to desert conditions. Camels are able to drink quickly and a lot (they drink about 130–135 liters of water in 10 minutes).

The rut occurs in winter. Usually one, rarely two, cubs are born. Only Bactrian has survived in the wild. The dromedary is domesticated and used as a pack and draft animal, as well as for milk, meat and wool.

BACTRIAN - a domesticated Bactrian camel, differs little from the wild Bactrian camel. Many zoologists do not make a difference between the concepts of Bactrian camel and Bactrian. Domestic camels have larger humps, wider feet, and well-developed calluses on the knees of the front legs. The proportions of the skulls of domestic and wild animals have small but consistent differences. The color of the coat of domestic camels is variable - from light, sandy-yellow to dark brown, while wild ones have a constant reddish-brown-sandy color. The Bactrian camel was domesticated more than a thousand years BC. As an animal resistant to low temperatures and anhydrous conditions, it has become widespread in Mongolia, Northern China and Kazakhstan. There are several breeds of domestic Bactrian camels - Kalmyk, Kazakh, Mongolian.

DROMEDAR (dromedary, one-humped camel; Camelus dromedarius), a mammal of the camelid genus of the callosed order. Length approx 2.1 m , height at withers 1.8- 2.1 m . Unlike Bactrian, it has one hump, as well as shorter and lighter hair. The dromedary camel was domesticated in ancient times, probably in Arabia or North Africa. Not found in the wild. It is widespread in Africa, Arabia, Asia Minor and Central Asia, India, and was introduced to Mexico and Australia. Several breeds are known: high-speed riding Maharis (North Africa), riding Indian Rajputanas, pack Turkmen dromedaries.

Its lifestyle is similar to Bactrian. It tolerates heat better, but worse - frost. Can survive without water for up to 10 days. Passes under saddle in a day 80 km at speeds up to 23 km/h . However, in a caravan the dromedary passes no more than 30 km , since it must graze for a long time. Herbivorous. The rut occurs in winter. When crossed with Bactrian, it produces fertile offspring (the so-called bunks), which are superior in endurance to their parents. But the offspring when crossing hybrids turns out to be weak.

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