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Animals & Vegetation That Live in Sand Dunes

Sand dunes are accumulations of wind blown sand that occur throughout the world. They are typically found on coastlines, lake shore plains and in desert regions. Although sand blowing in the dry wind, low moisture and intense sun make the dunes a harsh environment, some plant and animal species have adapted, making the dunes their habitat. Plants and animals living on the dunes have adapted to conserve water and remain underground during the hottest parts of the day.

Flowers
- Sand dunes are home to many flowers which appear after a winter of heavy rains. Flowers such as the pink sand verbena, the white dune evening primrose, yellow sunflower, wild lupine and honeysuckle, have adapted to life in the harsh dune environments. Sand food is one of the most unusual flowers in North America. Emerging in early spring, a mushroom-like cap forms, producing tiny lavender flowers. Sand food has a thick scaly stem that extends as far as 6 feet below the surface of the sand where it attaches to the plant's root system.
Shrubs
- The dunes are also home to many shrubs and grasses. Deep rooted plants such as the mesquite creosote bush and the desert buckwheat provide shade and food for many creatures living on the dunes. "Often, entire rodent condominiums are constructed beneath the protective cover of dune shrubs," according to Palomar.edu. Dune shrubs are covered with tiny hairs that reflect light that aid transpiration.
Lizards and Toads
- The fringe-toed lizard has special eyelids and a counter-sunk jaw that keep sand out. Pointed scales on its toes provide grip and traction, allowing it to run with speed and ease across the soft dune sand. The fringe-toed lizard can also burrow beneath the sand for cover and protection. Similarly, the spadefoot toad spends 10 months out of the year burrowed beneath the dunes, where temperatures are 50 degrees cooler, coming up only briefly during the summer rainfall.
Insects
- The antlion and sandwasp are two insects that have made their home on the sand dunes. The antlion builds a crater in the sand and waits for smaller, crawling insects to pass by. When an insect happens upon the antlion's crater, it is pulled in and sucked dry, unable to climb out of the soft walls of sand. Sandwasps also live beneath the sand, building elaborate tunnels and condominiums. The sandwasp catches flies and insects to bring back to their burrows for a feast.
Other Life
- Other animals that live on the dunes include the kangaroo rat. The kangaroo rate has fur around its toes help to keep it from sinking into the sand, allowing for faster movement, as well as a long tail that provides balance. The kangaroo rat takes in water through seeds and vegetation on the dunes, and releases almost no water through urination. When the kangaroo rat's urine hits the air, it becomes solid. The sand wolf spider is another dune dweller. Its sandy-brown color allows it to blend in with its surroundings.Cotton tailed rabbits and grasshoppers are also known to live in dead trees that are buried beneath the dunes.

Nature