Top 10 Animals That Call the Sahara Desert Their Home
Saharan Silver Ant:The Saharan silver ant is the world’s fastest ant, running its body length in less than a hundredth of a second. This ant speeds across the slippery hot sand in search of dead animals that it can devour.
Saharan Sand Viper:Common among the sand dunes of the Saharan Desert, sand vipers are smaller snakes that hunt at night and hide under bushes or bury themselves in the sand during the day.
Northwest African Cheetah:The Northwest African cheetah is a critically endangered species that is extinct in more than 20 countries.
Jerboa:While rodents are exposed to predators in the desert, jerboas can run up to 15 miles per hour and have incredible hearing that helps them out-smart nocturnal predators.
Dromedary Camel:This camel only has one hump, but it can store up to 80 pounds of fat, and its short, thick fur protects them from the scorching sun during the day.
Dorcas Gazelle:This small, common gazelle lives in semideserts of Africa. They are notable for their long ears and strongly curved horns.
Desert Monitor:This species of monitor lizard is found throughout North Africa and is perfectly suited to its desert environment.
Desert Crocodile:The desert crocodile, also known as the West African crocodile, is considered sacred in some countries. This species is always near water, where they bask during the day and hunt mainly at night.
Deathstalker Scorpion:The deathstalker scorpion is one of the most dangerous scorpion species in the world. It features powerful neurotoxins and a low lethal dose.
Addax Antelope: They also dig depressions in the sand to rest and stay cool. You can find these animals near vegetation in the Sahara Desert.