Deserts are some of the toughest places on our planet. They are super hot during the day, freezing at night, and have very little water. Yet, many animals live in deserts and have found smart ways to survive these tough conditions.
Table of Contents
Sahara Desert, Africa
Mammals
- Sahara Oryx
- Dorcas Gazelle
- Rhim Gazelle
- Dama Gazelle
- White Antelope
- Barbary Ostrich
- Saharan Cheetah
- Fennec Fox
- Pale Fox
- Rüppell’s Fox
- Jerboa
- North African Gerbil
- Saharan Striped Weasel
- Desert Hedgehog
- Sand Cat
- Cape Hare
- Olive Baboon
- Arabian Camel (Dromedary)
- Addax
- Cairo Spiney Mouse
- Mediterranean Monk Seal
Birds
- African Silverbill
- Nubian Bustard
Reptiles
- Saharan Horned Viper
- Monitor Lizard
- Desert Crocodile
Insects
- Deathstalker Scorpion
- Saharan Silver Ant
- North African Sahara Honeybee
- Scarab Beetle
- Egyptian Praying Mantis
Amphibians
- Desert Frog
Sonoran Desert, North America
Mammals
- Desert Tortoise
- Pronghorn
- Kit Fox
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit
- Mearns Coyote
- Javelina (Peccary)
- Mule Deer
- Coyote
- Bobcat
- Gray Fox
- Sonoran Pronghorn
- Sonora Mud Turtle
- Desert Bighorn Sheep
- Ring-tailed Cat
- Rock Squirrel
- Southern Pocket Gopher
- Desert Spiny Lizard
Birds
- Gila Woodpecker
- Curve-billed Thrasher
- Harris’s Hawk
- White-winged Dove
- Gambel’s Quail
- Ferruginous Pygmy-owl
- Elf Owl
Reptiles
- Sonoran Collared Lizard
- Sonoran Gopher Snake
- Sonora Shovelnose Snake
- Round-tailed Ground Squirrel
Insects
- Agile Ground Mantis
- Pacific Burrowing Wasp
- Stink Beetle
- Maricopa Harvester Ant
Amphibians
- Sonoran Desert Toad
- Great Plains Toad
- Colorado River Toad
Mojave Desert, North America
Mammals
- Black-tailed Jackrabbit
- Desert Cottontail Rabbit
- Desert Kit Fox
- Mojave Ground Squirrel
- Panamint Chipmunk
- Ring-tailed Cat
Birds
- Elf Owl
- Western Screech Owl
- Common Raven
- Cactus Wren
- California Quail
Reptiles
- Desert Tortoise
- Chuckwalla
- Mojave Rattlesnake
- Glossy Snake
Insects
- Desert Recluse Spider
- Doll’s Sphinx Moth
Amphibians
- Amargosa Toad
Gobi Desert, Asia
Mammals
- Bactrian Camel
- Gobi Bear
- Snow Leopard
- Mongolian Wild Ass
- Jerboa
- Gobi Ibex
Birds
- Golden Eagle
- Sandplover
Reptiles
- Przewalski’s Wonder Gecko
Kalahari Desert, Africa
Mammals
- Brown Hyena
- Kalahari Lion
- Gemsbok
- Springbok
- African Leopard
Birds
- Secretary Bird
- Sociable Weaver
Reptiles
- Rock Monitor
