Environments

And we back. Have you ever wondered about different habitats and where they can be found? Well, about a month ago, I was thinking about it, so I learned a few things. In this blog, I will talk about where different ecological surroundings/climates appear.

Let’s go through the different environments from hot to cold. 

HOT

Desert / Semi-desert: Deserts and semi-deserts are huge stretches of land that are dry, without water, and often full of sand and rocks. Most deserts are scorching hot, but sometimes, large stretches of arctic land are also known as polar deserts. Animals who live in these are adapted to extreme weather, such as the polar bear, with a huge, thick coat, and camels, with food storing humps and long legs. On average, deserts are about 40˚C during daytime and -3˚C during nighttime. Talk about severe weather changes!

Tropical grassland: Tropical grasslands are savannas, where the temperature maintains at a hot 30˚C, and there are severe drought conditions during winters/dry seasons. Many migrating mammals live in tropical grasslands, such as wildebeest and buffalo. Tropical grasslands are also home to many apex predators, such as cheetahs, lions, leopards, hyenas, and river dwelling crocodiles. Most of the grass in tropical grasslands are tan like wheat.

Tropical rainforest: Tropical rainforests are probably the most unique and life-full habitat in the world. The amazon rainforest itself contains 10% of the world’s wildlife species, including 40,000 plant species. Tropical rainforests range in average temperature from 23-30˚C. Rainforests are wet and humid, living up to its name. Most rainforests also contain a river or lake, where aquatic animals dwell. The amazon river is home to anacondas, caimans, fish, otters, you name it! The thick jungle is also great camouflage for large predators like jaguars and sometimes tigers.

Mediterranean: Mediterranean climates are like moderate weathered deserts. Most mediterranean habitats are near the ocean, covered in rocks and forests with warm, sunny summers and cool, humid winters. Many animals, such as rabbits, lynxes, foxes, lizards, and the occasional goat live in these warm habitats.

Temperate grassland: Temperate grasslands are mostly green-grassed meadows. Temperate grasslands are mostly in warm regions, with lots of small critters, such as prairie dogs, foxes, small wolves, mice, and larger herbivores, including horses, cattle, bison, etc. An average temperate grassland has hot summers, up to 30˚C, and cold winters, with temperatures below -17˚C.

Temperate forest: Temperate forests are where most cities are found. Temperate forests have hot, dry summers and cold, snowy winters. These forests are made up of tall, green trees, small flowing creeks and small expanses of meadows. Bears, squirrels, lynxes, hedgehogs, small deer, wolves, and raccoons. Eagles are also often found in these forests. Nearly all of European wilderness is temperate forest.

Wetland: Wetland and marshes are another interesting biome. Many birds are residents to wetlands, such as flamingoes and many other species of migrating bird. Fishes are common during their breeding season, and many small aquatic mammals live in wetlands. These include beavers, voles, platypus, and some muskrats. Wetlands have wet summers and cool winters

Boreal forests: Boreal forests are home to many large bears, moose, Siberian tigers, wolves, caribou, and many mammals related to weasels. Boreal forests are, at maximum temperature, 21˚C. However, during the winter, temperatures can drop to below -15˚C. Boreal forests are mostly in the two largest, northern countries – Russia and Canada. Boreal forests consist of mostly pine trees.

Arctic tundra: Arctic tundra is pretty much where the arctic is during summer. During summer, the tundra grows short, croppy grass. Herbivores like musk oxen and hares rely mostly on this. Arctic foxes prey on the hares, while in the summer, the polar bears often target the caribou and musk ox.

Finally, last but definitely not least, is the arctic poles. During winter, these biome temperatures are down to -50˚C. Only the most resilient can survive – mostly penguins, polar bears, seals, and blubbery whales.

Thanks for reading! -Written by EZ