Saving Sahelo-Saharan Antelope essays

Saving Sahelo-Saharan Antelope essays 1. The Sahara desert covers an area larger than the lower 48 states and at over 3100 miles wide it is a little wider than the furthest distance between Maine and California. From west to east it stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea and from north to south from the Atlas Mountains of Morocco and the Mediterranean Sea to the Sahel. 2. The hottest temperature ever recorded was136F at AlAzizyah in Libya. 3. Daily temperatures can range from 23F (-5C) to 122F (+50C). 4. The hottest temperature I have ever been exposed to was in Las Vegas, Nevada where it was 117F. 5. The Sahara and the Sahel support at least 1660 species of plants. 220 of which are found nowhere else. Among the fauna there are some 221 species of mammals. They can live for months and probably for years, without drinking water. They selectively feed on plants with high water content. They are capable of allowing their body temperatures to rise higher than most mammal species before physiological cooling mechanisms kick in, helping to conserver water. Presumably, they are even capable of sensing distant rainfall and therefore new plant growth. They are also keystone species in the maintenance of biodiversity. They are effective seed dispersers. 7. Five threats to these species are that they are (1) an exploitable source of meat and leather, they (2) have played a major role in the culture of the people of the region, they (3) severe habitat loss, (4) competition with domestic livestock, and are (5) over hunted especially by foreign hunters. 8. Ten species of animals that are native to the Sahara Desert are the (1) ostrich, (2) desert hedgehog, (3) barbary sheep, (4) oryx, (5) gazelle, (6) cheetah, (7) wild ass, (8) baboon, (9) hyena, (10) jackal. Ostrich The ostrich is the fastest creature on two legs. Ostriches have very powerful legs which they use for running up to 40 mph, or for kicking pre...