The Sahara Desert
  • Home
  • Abiotic and Biotic Factors
  • Vegetation
  • Animal Life
  • Interactions of Organisms
  • More

interactions between organisms in the sahara


COMPETITION

Competition is when two species rely on the same limited resource, one species will be better adapted than the other to benefit from the resource. 

A prime example of this in the Sahara is the Desert Eagle bird who constantly competes with the Nubian Bustard for food such as the Jerboa and Kangaroo Rats. 

Another example of competition in the Sahara is the Saharan Cheetah competing with Spotted Hyena for animals such as gazelles, specifically the Addax Antelope. 

Another example of competition in the Sahara is the consumption of insects, such as locusts, between the ostrich and the jarboa. 



HERBIVORY


Herbivory is the process in which a herbivore (plant eater) is a primary consumer that feeds on a producer (plant). 

An example of herbivory in the Sahara Desert is when dromedary camels (herbivores) feed on dried leaves and various grasses.

Another example of herbivory in the Sahara is when the Addax Antelope feeds on grasses, leaves, shrubs, and leguminous herbs and bushes. They feed particularly on Acacia and Artemisia grasses.

Another example of herbivory in the Sahara is when the Dorcas Gazelle eats fruits from the date palm tree and other grasses.



PREDATION


Predation is when a consumer (animal) eats another consumer (animal). One consumer is the producer and the other is the prey. 

An example of predation in the Sahara Desert is when rattlesnakes consume jarboa. 

Another example of predation in the Sahara is when the Addax Antelope is consumed by either the Saharan Cheetah, the Spotted Hyena, the Horned Viper, or the African Wild Dog. 

Another example of predation in the Sahara is when a hawk, as a migratory bird, eats a lizard or chameleon. 



PARASITISM


Parasitism is when a parasite, an organism that lives on or in a host, depends on the host for food for at least part of its life cycle. The host is harmed by this. 

An example of parasitism in the Sahara Desert is when the Desert Mistletoe grows on the Desert Willow Tree, and it extracts the nutrients and minerals from the Willow Tree, causing the tree to eventually die.

Another example of parasitism in the Sahara Desert is when a tic, which is a parasite, feeds on blood of the fennec fox and causes harm to the fox.



MUTUALISM


Mutualism is when there is two organisms living together where both organisms benefit from the relationship. 

An example of mutualism in the Sahara is with the Nile crocodile and the Egyptian plover. The crocodile will open its mouth for the bird to come and feed on the leeches in the blood of the crocodile. The plover gets food and the crocodile is saved from the leeches. 

Another example of mutualism in the Sahara is when bats eat nectar on cacti and agaves, while pollinating them as they move from on plant to the next. 

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.