Desert Animals Searchin' for Shade

A small snake glides sideways across the hot desert sand. As it moves, it makes an S shape with its body. Then the sidewinder snake buries itself under the sand. There, with only its head poking out, it waits for prey. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the desert environment where the sidewinder lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.

The sun shines on the hot desert sand. Meanwhile, a small animal with lobster-like pincers and a long tail hides under some tree bark. After the sun sets and the air cools, the creature--an Arizona bark scorpion--leaves its hideout and starts to hunt for prey. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the desert environment where the bark scorpion lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.

A giant golden-brown creature walks slowly across the hot desert. As far as the eye can see, there's not a drop of water or even a plant to munch on--just sand. How can the camel survive? The hump on its back has stored fat that the animal uses for energy. As a result, the camel can go weeks without water and months without food. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the harsh desert environment where the camel lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.

As the sun starts to set, a spotted wildcat awakens. It leaves the cave where it has been resting and begins to roam the rocky landscape outside. In the cool night air, the bobcat hunts for its prey. When morning comes, it escapes the heat by returning to the cave. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the desert environment where the bobcat lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.

A colorful lizard basks on a rock in the morning sun. Then it spots a grasshopper. In a flash, the lizard runs across the hot desert sand, using only its hind legs. It grabs the insect in its mouth. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the desert environment where the collared lizard lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.

A tiny cricket bounces across the scorching desert sand, making leap after leap. Hot on its trail is a bird--not flying but running. It is a roadrunner. The small bird is quick and soon gobbles up the insect. Then it zooms off again, hunting for more prey. Welcome to life in the desert! Young readers will learn all about the desert environment where the roadrunner lives, as well as its physical characteristics, what it eats, and how it survives in its hot, dry home. Colorful photos and diagrams, clear text, age-appropriate activities, and critical-thinking questions will keep young readers turning the pages as they take a closer look at this intriguing desert dweller.