Keystone Species that Live in Deserts

Many deserts are hot enough to fry eggs on a rock. Others are more mild, or even cold. Deserts receive hardly any rain. When you first look at a desert, it appears empty and dead. But look again. Many plants and animals make their homes in deserts. These species have learned how to make the most of what rain they get. Desert animals know how to hide from the hot afternoon sun. Some animals are so important in the desert that if they vanished, the whole desert ecosystem would vanish, too. They are called keystone species. Desert tortoises, addaxes, Indian vultures, Australian dingoes, and guanacos are some of these desert keystone species. They all play an important role in keeping desert ecosystems alive and healthy.