• The Gibson Desert has an extremely harsh climate.aboriginal world image by l.savinelli from Fotolia.com
  
  The Gibson Desert is a 156,300-square-kilometer region in Western Australia. It has a very small population, representing less than 3 percent of the total Australian population. Most areas are considered remote as there are few roads in this region. Summer temperatures reach highs of 36 degrees Celsius (97 degrees Fahrenheit). Sand plains, dune fields and rocky low ridges compose the geography of this region. The annual average rainfall is 175 mm. Because the Gibson landscape is so unforgiving, plants and animals in this region must be specifically adapted to desert life.
  
  

The Bilby

• The bilby survives the harsh climate of the Gibson Desert by hiding underground during the hottest part of the day and foraging at night. They live in burrows that can reach depths of two meters. These dens remain cooler than the surface temperature by up to 10 degrees. Being nocturnal also allows the bilby to avoid predators that are active during the day. They are so adapted to the desert environment that they do not need to drink water as their digestive system is highly efficient at extracting it from their diet of seeds, nuts, insects, fungus and roots.
  
  

The Thorny Devil

• The thorny devil is also known by the names horny devil, thorny lizard, moloch and thorny dragon. It is a lizard named for the horn-like scales that cover its body. This lizard is the distant cousin of the horned lizards found in American deserts. These creatures are perfectly adapted to desert life because they are cold-blooded organisms which depend on sunlight to give them energy and agility. They grow to about 20 cm in length.
  
  

Triodia

• Triodia is a perennial species of hummock grass found in harsh Australian climates. Hummocks can grow to heights of two meters and widths of three meters. Its common name is hard spinifex. This grass is very strong and has been used by aboriginal peoples to build shelter. It also has been used as food since prehistoric times. This grass is well adapted to regions like the Gibson Desert as it prefers hot, arid geography with sandy, low-nutrient soil. This species of grass accounts for over 20 percent of vegetation in Australia.
  
  

Desert Bloodwood

• The scientific name for the desert bloodwood is Corymbia opaca. They grow in rocky plains, grasslands and desert low-rises. Adaptations of this plant that make it suitable for life in the Gibson Desert include rough bark, leathery leaves, and roots that store large amounts of water. During the cool Australian months of April to October, these trees display yellow and white flowers.
  
  

Red Kangaroo

• A kangaroo.kangaroos image by Horticulture from Fotolia.com
  
  The red kangaroo that inhabits the Gibson Desert is the largest marsupial species in the world. They inhabit the hottest and driest parts of the country. One important adaptation that allows kangaroos to survive in this environment is hopping across the sand. This protects the animal's feet from the hot sand by minimizing contact, and it also is an extremely energy-efficient method of travel between food sources.