The Namib Desert Flora and Fauna
The Namib desert is home to a wide variety of animals such as the Web footed Namib dune gecko, with a main food supply of fish moths, spiders and dune crickets. The gecko receives protein as well as water from its food source.the Palmato gecko on the other hand is able to lick water that has condensed on its body. Then in the daytime it buries into the dune when temperatures reach over 70 degrees Most scorpions are active at night, but the hairy thick-tailed scorpion (Parabuthus villosus). They get most of their moisture out of eating other animals and prey. Other animals such as the Namib desert chameleon which climbs onto plants and rocks to escape the heat in the day. Other Namib desert animals such as snakes, work to keep as much of their body off the ground as possible.
Most Namib Desert flora have extra long roots so they can reach underground water to survive. Many plants can store water in their trunks and leaves. Other plants avoid being eaten by camouflaging themselves so that animals don’t snack on them Leaves are usually small or few and some leaves have waxy coatings to stop moisture escaping or they can have surface hairs which trap still air and reduce any water loss through evaporation.
Many desert plants grow very slowly, stopping any growth during periods of high temperatures. Seeds and flowers can be “dead” for long periods and then spring to life after rainfall.
Most Namib Desert flora have extra long roots so they can reach underground water to survive. Many plants can store water in their trunks and leaves. Other plants avoid being eaten by camouflaging themselves so that animals don’t snack on them Leaves are usually small or few and some leaves have waxy coatings to stop moisture escaping or they can have surface hairs which trap still air and reduce any water loss through evaporation.
Many desert plants grow very slowly, stopping any growth during periods of high temperatures. Seeds and flowers can be “dead” for long periods and then spring to life after rainfall.