1. About one-third (or 33%) of the Earth's land surface is covered by deserts.
2. True
3. The equator is the warmest region because it receives the most direct sunlight year-round.
4. Many of the world’s deserts are located between latitude 15° N and 35° S of the equator.
5. Deserts are defined as areas that receive less than 25 centimeters (10 inches) of precipitation per year.
6. It rarely rains or snows in deserts; when it does, it’s usually on the edges or during rare storms.
7. False
8. Desert animals bury themselves in the sand to escape the extreme heat during the day and to stay warm at night.
9. Circle “cold” — desert nights are cold because the dry air and lack of cloud cover allow heat to escape quickly after sunset.
10. Clear nights are colder because there are no clouds to trap heat near the ground.
11. Cacti give off less water than other plants (circle “less”).
12. Cacti are “way cool scientists” because they study how to survive with minimal water.
13. One adaptation: Cacti have thick, waxy skin to reduce water loss.
14. True
15. Deserts don’t have much organic stuff in the soil because few plants grow and die there to decompose and enrich the soil.
16. True
17. A hygrometer measures humidity (the amount of moisture in the air).
18. When air gets cold, it can hold less moisture (circle “less”).
Follow-up Questions:
a. Deserts can be hot or cold, and many animals and plants have special adaptations to survive there.
b. How do desert plants store water?
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of bill nye the science guy worksheet.
