Faunal Adaptations:
Animals that are found in the Chaparral have adapted to hot, dry climates.
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, (Lepus Californicus) is a type of Hare that lives in extreme, hot environments. They have huge ears that regulate their body heat by increasing/decreasing the blood flow through their ears. These animals can run very quickly to escape predators (up to 36 mph). They have fur on their feet to help insulate from the heat. They obtain moisture from various plants in the Chaparral. The jackrabbits have silver or tan fur to help them bled in with their environment and stay hidden from predators, as they are prey for many of the carnivores in the chaparral.
The Golden Jackal, (Canis aureus) is very similar to a small wolf. They have golden fur that grows more thick in the winter time. They are omnivores, which means that have adapted to eating insects. They are very abundant and have large populations in the Mediterranean Chaparral.
The Puma, (Puma concolor) are very adaptable animals. Their fur color varies from silver gray, tawny and reddish. The Puma prefers deer for a meal, but will also eat mice, insects and birds. Their geographic range is very large. They can be found in rain forests of South America, cold areas in North America, Chaparrals, etc. These animals are rather intelligent, as after killing prey they will scrape leaves over the animal to hide it from other predators. This allows them to eat for days upon the same animal.
The Bezoar Goat, (Capra aegagrus) is found on Creta, other Greek Islands, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenia. They are covered in coarse wool, except their legs. This provides protection in their harsh climates. They have horns to help defend them and to fight. These goats are primary consumers/herbivores, which means their diet consists of grass, twigs, berries, bark and leaves. They are prey to the wild cats in the area.
The San Joachim Kit Fox, (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inhabit Chaparrals, grasslands, and scrublands of the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. They live in dens, which helps protect them from the harsh heat. These foxes are nocturnal, they hunt when it's cool. They are also Omnivores. The San Joachim Fox has large ears which radiate heat to help keep the animal cool. They also have fur on their pads on their paws to help provide traction in sand and protect them from the heat.
The Komodo Dragon, (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest species of the lizard, and are generally the apex predators of an ecosystem. They have an average length of 6.5-10 ft long, and weigh about 154 lbs. The Komodo prefers hot, dry places, and they typically live in dry, open grassland, savanna, scrubland, and tropical forests at low elevations. They dig holes about 3-10ft, which helps them to conserve heat by sleeping in these dens. They are usually active during the day, and hunt during the afternoon. The Komodo is a carnivore and mostly eats carrion (making it a scavenger), but it will also ambush other various prey. The Komodo has large amounts of bacteria in it's saliva, which will slowly kill it's prey. As it's prey slowly dies, the Komodo dragon patiently follows them until they have finally died, and then the lizard will feast.
Floral Adaptations:
Like the animals, the producers found in chaparral biomes have adapted to hot, dry climates.
Animals that are found in the Chaparral have adapted to hot, dry climates.
The Black-Tailed Jackrabbit, (Lepus Californicus) is a type of Hare that lives in extreme, hot environments. They have huge ears that regulate their body heat by increasing/decreasing the blood flow through their ears. These animals can run very quickly to escape predators (up to 36 mph). They have fur on their feet to help insulate from the heat. They obtain moisture from various plants in the Chaparral. The jackrabbits have silver or tan fur to help them bled in with their environment and stay hidden from predators, as they are prey for many of the carnivores in the chaparral.
The Golden Jackal, (Canis aureus) is very similar to a small wolf. They have golden fur that grows more thick in the winter time. They are omnivores, which means that have adapted to eating insects. They are very abundant and have large populations in the Mediterranean Chaparral.
The Puma, (Puma concolor) are very adaptable animals. Their fur color varies from silver gray, tawny and reddish. The Puma prefers deer for a meal, but will also eat mice, insects and birds. Their geographic range is very large. They can be found in rain forests of South America, cold areas in North America, Chaparrals, etc. These animals are rather intelligent, as after killing prey they will scrape leaves over the animal to hide it from other predators. This allows them to eat for days upon the same animal.
The Bezoar Goat, (Capra aegagrus) is found on Creta, other Greek Islands, Turkey, Iran, Pakistan and Turkmenia. They are covered in coarse wool, except their legs. This provides protection in their harsh climates. They have horns to help defend them and to fight. These goats are primary consumers/herbivores, which means their diet consists of grass, twigs, berries, bark and leaves. They are prey to the wild cats in the area.
The San Joachim Kit Fox, (Vulpes macrotis mutica) inhabit Chaparrals, grasslands, and scrublands of the San Joaquin Valley of California, USA. They live in dens, which helps protect them from the harsh heat. These foxes are nocturnal, they hunt when it's cool. They are also Omnivores. The San Joachim Fox has large ears which radiate heat to help keep the animal cool. They also have fur on their pads on their paws to help provide traction in sand and protect them from the heat.
The Komodo Dragon, (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest species of the lizard, and are generally the apex predators of an ecosystem. They have an average length of 6.5-10 ft long, and weigh about 154 lbs. The Komodo prefers hot, dry places, and they typically live in dry, open grassland, savanna, scrubland, and tropical forests at low elevations. They dig holes about 3-10ft, which helps them to conserve heat by sleeping in these dens. They are usually active during the day, and hunt during the afternoon. The Komodo is a carnivore and mostly eats carrion (making it a scavenger), but it will also ambush other various prey. The Komodo has large amounts of bacteria in it's saliva, which will slowly kill it's prey. As it's prey slowly dies, the Komodo dragon patiently follows them until they have finally died, and then the lizard will feast.
Floral Adaptations:
Like the animals, the producers found in chaparral biomes have adapted to hot, dry climates.
Blue Oak (Quercus douglasii)
Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
Common Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
King Protea (Protea cynariodes)
Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana)
- Native to the state of California
- Adapted to hot, dry climates
- Can survive temperatures above 100 F for several weeks at a time
- Short tree with open canopy
- will sometimes shed its leaves during severely hot and dry years and go dormant
- Leaves/twigs will decompose into high-nutrient soil
- Waxy coating on the tough, thick leaves helps conserve water
Coyote Brush (Baccharis pilularis)
- Common in California and Oregon
- Part of the sunflower family
- Is a wiry and woody perennial evergreen that looks like a bush
- Takes on a different shape depending on where it's located
- Leaves are small and stiff, with ragged edges and waxy coatings to retain water
Common Sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)
- Prefers well drained soils in sheltered areas
- Is a perennial shrub with straight, stiff stems
- Is a deciduous plant with a bitter taste
- When rain is scarce its deep tap roots find water, but when it does rain it has shallow roots that are spread out below the surface to absorb the water
- When it is very dry, it can be uprooted and its seeds will be spread by the wind
Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
- Has pink-orange puff balls that can be up to 2 inches in diameter, can bloom all year round (mostly February through May)
- Part of the pea family
- Usually grows 8 to 48 inches tall
- Is eaten by many of the chaparral's herbivores and omnivores
King Protea (Protea cynariodes)
- Originally from the Cape Town area of South Africa
- Found all over the world where the atmosphere is dry and the soil has good drainage
- The flower can grow up to 12 inches across
- Takes in moisture through its leaves
- Many protea species are listed as endangered
Torrey Pine (Pinus torreyana)
- Has a century lifespan and grows very slowly
- Usually 40-60' high and 25-40' wide
- One of the rarest pines in the US
- At 40 ft high, its roots can be up to 200 ft long
- The wood does not burn very well, and serves as protection from wildfires