Desert Ecosystem Worksheet

What defines a desert ecosystem?

• Very cold temperatures

• High rainfall

• Low rainfall and extreme temperatures

• Large forests

Which adaptation helps desert animals stay cool during the day?

• Having fur

• Sleeping in burrows

• Eating cactus

• Changing color

Why do many desert animals come out at night?

• To hunt better

• To avoid predators

• To stay cool and conserve water

• To find water

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-1

Which of the following is a common desert plant?

• Oak tree

• Cactus

• Pine tree

• Sunflower

How do cacti survive with little water?

• Their leaves collect water

• They grow near rivers

• They store water in their stems

• They get water from animals

What is the term for animals that sleep during the day and are active at night?

• Carnivores

• Omnivores

• Diurnal

• Nocturnal

Which of these animals is adapted for desert life?

• Polar bear

• Camel

• Alligator

• Penguin

How do desert animals get most of their water?

• From lakes

• From rainstorms

• From the food they eat

• From rivers

What is a "rain shadow"?

• An area where it rains often

• A place that gets less rain because mountains block the clouds

• A desert with lots of shade

• A storm that only happens at night

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS2-5

Choose the correct statement:

• Many desert species are endangered

• Deserts are always growing

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS2-5