The food chain allows you to well study the natural mechanisms in a particular area, as well as the animals that enter it. A long list of interconnected creatures can be made even in the desert, which does not seem too populated only at first glance. Going from a small spider to a boa constrictor is an interesting way to get acquainted with the laws of nature. So what can be told about each member of the desert food chain and who is included in it at all?
Spiders
The first link that begins the food chain diagram will be these small creatures. Desert spiders are interesting in that many of them are incredibly poisonous. For example, it is in these conditions that the most dangerous species of these arthropods prefers to live. The six-eyed sand spider is unique not only with concentrated poison, but also with what appeared even when South America and Africa were one continent - it can be safely called prehistoric. Two cases of the attack of these living fossils on people are known, and both have been fatal. However, you should not be afraid of walking in the desert because of the six-eyed spider - he himself prefers to avoid people. Most of his relatives are not at all dangerous - it is not for nothing that this detachment is the first link in the chain of answers to the question: “Who eats whom in the desert?” By the way, the scheme of this area is unique in its own way. Usually it includes predators and herbivores, but in the desert there are so few plant foods that carnivores are much more common there. Therefore, this chain consists entirely of such creatures.
Millipedes
Studying who eats whom in the desert, you should move from spiders to these creatures. Millipedes easily survive in the desert and feed on small insects. In the world there are about fifty-three thousand species of these arthropods, and several hundred of them live in hot sands. A nocturnal lifestyle helps them survive in the heat - during the day they hide in the ground. A body consisting of many segments, each of which has a pair of legs, allows you to move perfectly on the sand and take second place in the food chain.
Scorpions
Millipedes are followed by the second link in a chain called "Who Eats Who in the Desert." Scorpions often become killers of small arthropods, therefore they rightfully occupy the third place in the list. They are found only in hot countries, however, science knows 1750 different species. Only fifty of them are poisonous to humans. Their long history is recognized as their unique feature: these are the oldest of the land arthropods. By studying scorpions, you can learn a lot about the evolution of animals, trace their development path from marine to land. Like centipedes, these desert animals, whose names are known to everyone, lead a nocturnal lifestyle, hiding in the crevices of stones during sundial. Killing insects and arachnids helps them to run fast and strong claws.
Lizards
Perhaps, when mentioning the hot and arid regions, it is these desert animals that first come to mind. Photo of lizards in the sand is one of the most popular associations with these edges. Not surprising, because this is the largest group of reptiles. Real lizards are always quite small, up to forty centimeters in length. Desert species are distinguished by the special structure of paws with long fingers equipped with lateral cloves - it is because of them that the animal does not fall into the sand. Another interesting feature is autotomy, or the ability to cast tail. He continues to move, diverting attention to himself and giving the lizard enough time to save from the enemy. Fast and dexterous creatures rightfully take fourth place in the list, showing who eats whom in the desert, coping with insects, arthropods, and even scorpions.
Monitor lizards
These are quite large desert animals, photos of which cannot but impress. Their sizes can reach one and a half meters in length. Lizards inhabit the deserts and foothills of Central Asia and Africa. From all others they are distinguished by slit-shaped nostrils, which are obliquely located at the eyes. So the monitor lizard can examine the burrows without suffering from sand falling into the nose. He hunts during the day, quickly moving on his massive paws with powerful sharp claws. A strong tail is another lizard weapon. When bitten, the teeth of a giant lizard secrete poisonous saliva, which can be dangerous even for humans. Therefore, the monitor lizard is almost at the very top of the list listing who eats whom in the desert. He is able to kill not only smaller lizards, but also sand rats or birds, as well as feast on their eggs. Caught by water - not a hindrance, he can hunt in them. All this makes the monitor lizard a dangerous predator for any small animal that can only be on its way in the desert.
Snakes
These ominous reptiles close the food chain. Desert species are often very toxic and can be fatal not only to other inhabitants of the area, but also to humans. Among the most dangerous is the Russell viper, it can be seen in the dry areas of India, Pakistan and Thailand. This brown or creamy snake with a body framed by black spots does not exceed one and a half meters in length. In North Africa, there is another danger. This is a sand viper - a pink or yellow snake of very small sizes (up to sixty centimeters). She moves incredibly fast, which makes her even more dangerous. In the American deserts, you should be wary of a diamond rattlesnake - olive green with dark spots, from a meter and a half in length, emitting hissing low sounds and rattling with the tail.
There is also a special view with a narrow
habitat. This is the eponymous snake from the Mojave Desert, which can attack without warning. She has a green body up to a meter long. In Australia, it is worthwhile to be afraid of a spinetail - a
black or yellow
snake with transverse stripes that attacks at the slightest danger. You can also meet her in China, but there this reptile is not so common. In the most famous Egyptian deserts, the cobra of the same name is black or brown, which can reach impressive dimensions - more than two meters in length.