Semi-Arid+Desert+(Southwestern+U.S.A.)

 =Semi-Arid Desert of the Southwestern United States=

== __**Climate**__ The Summers are moderately long and dry, and the winters normally bring low concentrations of rainfall. The average rainfall ranges from 2-4 cm annually.Summer temperatures usually average between 21-27° C. It normally does not go above 38° C and evening temperatures are cooler, around 10° C. Cool nights help both plants and animals by helping reduce water/moisture loss. The average rainfall ranges from 2-4 cm annually.

__**Flora and Fauna**__ The spiny nature of many of the plants in semiarid deserts provides protection in the environment. The spines shade the surface enough to reduce water loss. The same may be true of the hairs on the woolly desert plants. Many plants have silvery or glossy leaves, allowing them to reflect more energy. These plants often have a bad odor or taste.

//Semiarid plants include:// -Creosote bush -bur sage -white thorn -cat claw -mesquite -brittle bushes -lyciums -jujube

Naturally, many of the animals find protection either by moving around to stay in the shadows, or staying in underground burrows where they are protected from both heat and sunlight.

//These animals include mammals such as:// -kangaroo rats -rabbits -skunks some insects: -grasshoppers -ants some reptiles: -lizards -snakes birds: -burrowing owls -California thrasher