Animals of the Chaparral
Mountain Lion
Mountain lions can eat whatever is available to survive. While they most commonly eat medium to large game, they can also eat prey such as insects.
Black- Tailed Jackrabbit
These rabbits are able to control their body temperature by controlling the amount of blood flow that goes to their ears. They can also run up to 36 miles per hour (for a short time), to escape predators. These rabbits cope with the dryness by eating their food twice, which allows them to take out all the possible moisture. They hardly ever drink.
Bezoar Goat
Females live in large groups that can reach up to fifty members. The male goats often are solitary as they fight over mates. Bezoar goats have special curved horns which have sharpened insides.
Grey-Fox
The fox lives in Chaparral areas of Mexico and California. These foxes are able to climb trees because of their claws and strong legs. Grey fox are omnivores who can hunt at any time of the day.
Golden Jackal
These animals are very common throughout the Mediterranean Chaparral. Golden Jackals are omnivorous and help the environment by reducing prey populations (rodents, birds, gazelles, amphibians etc.).
Mountain Lion
Mountain lions can eat whatever is available to survive. While they most commonly eat medium to large game, they can also eat prey such as insects.
Black- Tailed Jackrabbit
These rabbits are able to control their body temperature by controlling the amount of blood flow that goes to their ears. They can also run up to 36 miles per hour (for a short time), to escape predators. These rabbits cope with the dryness by eating their food twice, which allows them to take out all the possible moisture. They hardly ever drink.
Bezoar Goat
Females live in large groups that can reach up to fifty members. The male goats often are solitary as they fight over mates. Bezoar goats have special curved horns which have sharpened insides.
Grey-Fox
The fox lives in Chaparral areas of Mexico and California. These foxes are able to climb trees because of their claws and strong legs. Grey fox are omnivores who can hunt at any time of the day.
Golden Jackal
These animals are very common throughout the Mediterranean Chaparral. Golden Jackals are omnivorous and help the environment by reducing prey populations (rodents, birds, gazelles, amphibians etc.).
Plants of the Chaparral
The constant cycle of fires in the chaparral biome reduces the amount of nitrogen available to plants. However, the nitrogen is also more easily accessible. Legumes help to reintroduce nitrogen into the soil; however the growth of plants from the legume family is inhibited for five years following a fire.
Shrubs in the chaparral release “allelopathic agents,” which reduce seed germination and stunt plant growth (Biology 1).
Mountain Mahogany adapts through a process called “dwarfing”. During the driest years, the tree does not grow as much to compensate for the lack of water and lack of nutrients in the soil. Mountain Mahogany is less receptive to burns than other bushes and trees in the Chaparral. If the tree is burned however, it is able to re-grow its top branches if they are destroyed by fire.
Coyote Bush is found in parts of Oregon and California. The bush belongs in the sunflower family. The plant adapts to its environment by varying in shape (depending on its geographical location). The bush has a protective coating on the leaves, which prevents water from being released into the atmosphere and predation. The coating also repels flame.
Manzanita is found in parts of California and the lower regions of the Sierra Nevada. There are over 60 different species of Manzanita. The plant will not germinate unless the seeds are exposed to fire. Attempts to extinguish fire in the chaparral have lead to a decrease in Manzanita populations.
The Blue Oak is found throughout the chaparral in California. The trees cover over 3,000 acres and make up one of the oldest forests in California. Blue Oak is deciduous, and will occasionally shed its leaves during the hottest years. The scattering of fallen leaves and twigs from these trees gives the soil more nutrients.
The constant cycle of fires in the chaparral biome reduces the amount of nitrogen available to plants. However, the nitrogen is also more easily accessible. Legumes help to reintroduce nitrogen into the soil; however the growth of plants from the legume family is inhibited for five years following a fire.
Shrubs in the chaparral release “allelopathic agents,” which reduce seed germination and stunt plant growth (Biology 1).
Mountain Mahogany adapts through a process called “dwarfing”. During the driest years, the tree does not grow as much to compensate for the lack of water and lack of nutrients in the soil. Mountain Mahogany is less receptive to burns than other bushes and trees in the Chaparral. If the tree is burned however, it is able to re-grow its top branches if they are destroyed by fire.
Coyote Bush is found in parts of Oregon and California. The bush belongs in the sunflower family. The plant adapts to its environment by varying in shape (depending on its geographical location). The bush has a protective coating on the leaves, which prevents water from being released into the atmosphere and predation. The coating also repels flame.
Manzanita is found in parts of California and the lower regions of the Sierra Nevada. There are over 60 different species of Manzanita. The plant will not germinate unless the seeds are exposed to fire. Attempts to extinguish fire in the chaparral have lead to a decrease in Manzanita populations.
The Blue Oak is found throughout the chaparral in California. The trees cover over 3,000 acres and make up one of the oldest forests in California. Blue Oak is deciduous, and will occasionally shed its leaves during the hottest years. The scattering of fallen leaves and twigs from these trees gives the soil more nutrients.
Adaptations of the Wildlife
Organisms in a chaparral biome need to adapt to survive. Animals need to ration out their food because food is usually scarce in this rough, sparse terrain. Animals, who are usually small in this environment, are typically agile climbers. To avoid the intense heat, animals are generally nocturnal. The animals also don't require much water.
The plants in the chaparral adapt to survive as well. Many chaparral plants use needle like leaves to conserve water. Some plants have hair on their leaves to collect water from the air. Although some plants are fire resistant, some plants promote fires with flammable oils that they produce.
Organisms in a chaparral biome need to adapt to survive. Animals need to ration out their food because food is usually scarce in this rough, sparse terrain. Animals, who are usually small in this environment, are typically agile climbers. To avoid the intense heat, animals are generally nocturnal. The animals also don't require much water.
The plants in the chaparral adapt to survive as well. Many chaparral plants use needle like leaves to conserve water. Some plants have hair on their leaves to collect water from the air. Although some plants are fire resistant, some plants promote fires with flammable oils that they produce.