PLEASE I NEED HELP FOR A SCHOOL ASSIGNMENT!!

[felixdan1]

at school im doing geography and i missed a few days due to gastro. i found out when i went back today that i have an assignment. the assignment is due in 3 days. basically i need ur help to come up with features for the perfect animal and plant to live in a desert. i have three so far so i will use one of them as an example
scales
- protects from spiky cacti and other animals
- reflects sun to stop overheating.
i then have to draw them and label the parts but i enjoy drawing so i dont mind this. its just trying to find enough info to make a creature and a plant after missing 3 lessons on the desert and its wildlife.
any help would be appreciated
sincerely,
felixdan1

EDIT: Thanks for all the help (even though im saying this if u havent posted anything feel free to help. im still working on it )

 

[Cherry Cola]

Sentient sand.

A++

 

[zombiestrangler]

I imagine being able to go quite a while w/o water would be helpful. And for the animal part, go nocturnal.

 

[Lt.Snuffles]

Ability to dig?
Little usage of water

 

[Viptorian]

Having lived in a desert my whole life, I can share a lot about this.

- No animal has protection from cacti because it isn't needed. The protection is to not run into them.

- Reflecting sun doesn't happen. Life in the desert is about not being seen, and when you are, you need to be the badass.

- Poison works wonders here. Snakes, Gila Monsters, etc. have poison because it makes it so they don't have to chase the prey forever when they hit it once.

-Eyesight and smell are key. The desert sucks in the summer to try to survive, so everything that can, stays in the shade (thus hidden). A hunge number of animals are nocturnal.

-The more an animal matches the surroundings (dusty colored) the easier it is to blend in. Coyotes, mountain lions, bobcats, elk, bighorn sheep, they all blend in to a degree.

- Plants out here have thorns. Lots of them.

- Plants in the desert conserve water (cacti) or use it VERY quickly. When it rains out here, the mountains go from brown to green overnight. The plants have to make use of every single drop and flower damn near instantly.

- Plants will not have broad leaves, because that gets them eaten. Leaves are small and plentiful.

[Edit] This is all pertaining to the Sonoran Desert. Life in the Gobi, Sahara, and others may require different tactics.

 

[theheroofaction]

hmm,bare yellow or white skin, about 3 inches tall, and 8 inches wide, back feet similar to a rabbit while having relatively large (by comparison to the rest of it) arms in the front, right next to it's stomach there should be water preservation area similar to that of a camel. short neck leading to a head that has 2 small eyes and large ears.

 

[viranimus]

You might want to look into the spore demo (or full game if you have it) to help you build your animal, thus making it easier to diagram and direct.

Reptiles seem to do better in the environment. Some mammals do alright.

Also aside from camouflage lighter white/cream colors do more to reflect light and thus heat than armor does.

Smaller does tend to work better because it makes them easier to hide and find shade.

The ability to quick kill is vital. In the heat you dont want a long and drawn out conflict over your food. Lower levels of exertion and less likelihood of exposure to light and heat.

 

[Paksenarrion]

Spiky, waxy plants that have roots that dig very deep to find a source of water.

 

[Gladiateher]

Maybe like a giant worm, yeah that's it like a giant worm what can eat people who aren't wary.

 

[Canid117]

A flying poisonous reptilian with good eyesight.

Also does anyone else think that this is an odd assignment for a geography class? It seems like a Biology assignment to me.

 

[Bon_Clay]

Sentient sand.

A++

Brilliant! A silicon based lifeform, take that science! Either that or those big worm things from Dune.

Remember kids, always get your answers for school projects from science fiction.

 

[Nouw]

Sentient sand.

A++

Good idea for a Science Fiction novel don't you think?

Oh and

 

[felixdan1]

Sentient sand.

A++

Good idea for a Science Fiction novel don't you think?

it actually is a book. i think its called
x and or

 

[Triangulon]

Not sure if you need to go into behaviour but motor functions that allow said animal to minimise contact with hot surfaces. Many lizards travel using only a couple of feet at a time (swapping them when they get too hot). The sidewinder has a similar system where it travels using the middle of its body and its head/tail as the sole points of contact.

 

[Scarim Coral]

Mmm how about armour plated scale? Light and tough so that way it can't get hurt from the thorns? I also did thought about maybe the mouth is evolve to the point that when it rain, the water on top of its head (I picturing a lizard) is pour into its mouth.

 

[Smoko333]

so this then?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorny_Devil

 

[Meestor Pickle]

Draw a human.
'the perfect desert creature has the ability to create refrigeration, shelter, and the manufactured goods necessary to carry water over long distances.'

Remember not all deserts are hot, Penguins are desert animals I think.

Oh you cunning....
Also, that sand idea...awesome