CyberHunt: Crossword
DIRECTIONS You may think the desert is a desolate stretch of sand, but it is home to many plants, animals, and people. Find out some fascinating facts about this unique habitat as you explore these great Web sites. First, print out the crossword puzzle so you can write down your answers. (Click on the puzzle for a printable version.) Then click on the links below to find the answers to the questions.
ACROSS
1. The roadrunner is a large, black and white bird found in the deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Although this bird cannot fly for more than a few seconds, it can up to 18 miles per hour.
5. Although most desert regions are covered with sand, gravel, and rocks, there are some vegetated areas called _. Moistened by springs, wells, or irrigation, these places can support crops and human habitation.
7. The Gila monster is a small reptile found in deserts of the southwestern U.S. It has a short tail, in which it stores _ for times when food is scarce.
9. Thousands of years ago, ancient American civilizations thrived in the Southwest. One civilization, the Anasazi, flourished from about 100 B.C. to 1600 A.D. One of their most important contributions was the use of stone masonry and structures. Some of their cliff dwellings still exist today.
10. Deserts cover about one _ of the earth’s land surface.
11. Some of the minerals found in the Sonoran Desert of the southwestern U.S. include copper, gold, and quartz. Copper, the number one mineral produced in Arizona, is most often used for _ devices.
13. Several kinds of trees, shrubs and cacti grow in Arizona’s Sonoran Desert. One of the most famous is the saguaro cactus, which can reach 50 feet in height. It has white flowers and sweet _ that is eaten by desert animals.
14. The largest desert in the world is the _ Desert, located in northern Africa.
DOWN
2. Some desert animals like rattlesnakes and kit foxes are _, which means they only come out at night to eat and hunt. This adaptation allows them to avoid the hot sun during the day.
3. Sand dunes are found in several shapes and sizes. Wind is an important factor in the shape of a sand dune. Crescent-shaped dunes form from winds that blow in one direction. _ dunes tend to form from winds blowing in many directions.
4. Not all deserts are hot! Cold deserts, like hot deserts, receive 10 inches or less of precipitation each year. But in colder climates, this moisture comes mainly in the form of .
6. Many reptiles are found in the world’s deserts. Reptiles have thick _ that minimizes water loss — a natural advantage over other animals.
8. The Arabian Desert, covered almost entirely by sand, is home to animals like the camel, gazelle, and lizard. This desert has also been home to people – particularly the nomadic _ tribes, who have traveled through the desert for thousands of years.
12. Desert plants have traits, or adaptations, that help them survive in this harsh environment. The prickly pear cactus has __ that keep animal predators from eating the spongy tissue where they store water.
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Scholastic Book Guides: Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro C
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Scholastic Book Guides: Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro C
Includes:
- book summary and author information
- vocabulary-builders
- discussion questions
- reproducible graphic organizers and writing activities
- effective management ideas for whole class, small group, and independent instruction!
$4.99
Teaching Guide and Reproducible | Grades K-2
Grades K-2 $4.99
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Desert Giant
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Desert Giant
The mighty saguaro cactus seems to stand alone in the desert, but it is actually home to a surprising number of animals and a food source for many desert dwellers. "Captures the majesty of the desert environment." - Kirkus Reviews.Reading Rainbow Selection.
$7.93
Teaching Guide | Grades K-3
Grades K-3 $7.93
