The Gobi Desert, spanning parts of southern Mongolia and northern China may seem like an unlikely place for animals to thrive. With temperatures swinging from -40°F in winter to over 100°F in summer and minimal rainfall, the Gobi has a reputation as a barren, empty landscape. However, a remarkable diversity of wildlife has adapted to survive and even flourish in this extreme environment. From tiny jerboas to lumbering Bactrian camels, the Gobi is home to an array of fascinating creatures.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the amazing animals that inhabit the Gobi Desert ecosystem, learning how they’ve adapted to life in such a harsh climate. Whether hunting prey, foraging for sparse vegetation or simply trying to stay cool, these Gobi inhabitants display incredible resilience and resourcefulness. Read on to meet the wild residents of one of the world’s largest, driest and coldest deserts!
Mammals of the Gobi
Though the landscape may appear desolate, a number of large mammal species roam the Gobi’s plains and mountains. Prominent among them is the critically endangered Gobi bear, of which fewer than 50 individuals likely remain. These shaggy brown bears forage on roots, berries and the occasional rodent, and even dig dens in the desert sand to escape the extreme heat. Though mostly solitary, Gobi bears may gather near scarce water sources in times of drought. Slow reproduction and human hunting have brought them close to extinction
Racing across the stony hills on pointy hooves, the endemic Mongolian wild ass, or khulan, is a more common sight Around 20,000 still exist, migrating in small herds while grazing on desert grasses Their main threat comes from livestock competition.
Speaking of livestock, the Bactrian camel is right at home here, whether domesticated or living wild. With their double humps for storing fat and long eyelashes to keep out dust, Bactrians are exquisitely adapted desert dwellers. Sadly, fewer than 1,500 wild Bactrians remain between China and Mongolia due to hunting and hybridization with domestic camels.
Other Gobi mammals include jerboas, adorable hopping rodents who keep cool in burrows during the day; Gobi ibex, wild mountain goats who amazingly extract water from stony ground; and marbled polecats, fierce hunters of rodents and birds who sport a beautiful dappled coat. The Gobi provides a refuge for some endangered species, while for other inhabitants, human activity has made survival precarious.
Hardy Birds of the Gobi
From raptors to songbirds, a variety of bird species take advantage of the Gobi’s minimal vegetation and abundant small prey. One avian icon is the golden eagle, which nests on rocky cliffs and scans the landscape for jerboas, pikas and other small mammals to feast upon. The eagle’s dramatic silhouette is a common sight circling high overhead.
Hardy desert songbirds like the Mongolian finch and desert wheatear manage to survive here too, flitting from sparse shrub to sparse shrub in search of seeds and insects. Occasionally they may take shelter from the heat in small caves or burrows. The desert wheatear migrates all the way from Africa to breed amid the inhospitable Gobi landscape each spring.
Scavengers also find nourishment in the desert; the huge bearded vulture and abundant common raven use their keen eyesight to scan for carrion on which to feed. Other raptors including saker falcons and the widespread black kite hunt smaller prey on the wing. For birds capable of covering large distances in flight, the Gobi presents plenty of opportunities.
Reptiles and Small Mammals
Given the scarcity of water, it’s no surprise that reptiles are some of the most common creatures in the Gobi. Tough lizards like Gobi racerunners and Mongolian agamas thrive among rocky outcrops where they can shelter from temperature extremes in crevices. The racerunner uses its burst speed to catch insect prey and evade predators. Sand-colored arrow snakes also inhabit the desert, preying on smaller reptiles and rodents.
Speaking of rodents, several diminutive mammal species manage to eke out an existence here. Mongolian gerbils and jerboas escape the heat and cold in elaborate burrow systems. Gerbils gather seeds and roots in their cheek pouches to store in underground chambers. The long-eared Tolai hare doesn’t burrow, but takes shelter under vegetation and rock overhangs.
Nocturnal Gobi big brown bats hunt insects at night, roosting in caves by day. And the endearing long-tailed Mongolian pika gathers grasses and wildflowers in its mouth, then stashes this “haypile” in rock crevices to feast upon in winter. Its high-pitched alarm call echoes across the hills as it watches for swooping eagles.
At the Top: Snow Leopard and Gobi Bear
Though harsh and apparently lifeless, the Gobi supports a web of predator and prey relationships. At the apex are two threatened yet magnificent carnivores: the snow leopard and Gobi bear.
Snow leopards, masters of camouflage with their dappled coats, blend into cliffsides as they scan the slopes for prey like ibex and wild ass. Powerful legs allow them to leap extraordinary distances to ambush prey. Only around 500 likely remain in the Gobi mountains.
The Gobi bear, a subspecies of brown bear, rummages through desert scrub for roots and rodents. Smaller than northern brown bears, adults weigh up to 300 pounds. Solitary by nature, they will congregate at oases during droughts. Slow reproduction makes this bear especially vulnerable to extinction.
While stark and challenging, the Gobi remains a vibrant ecosystem where life finds a way against the odds. Learning about its improbably diverse and resilient animal inhabitants gives us a deep appreciation for this extreme desert environment. The Gobi biota has much to teach us about adaptation to an unforgiving climate in an uncertain world.
World of the Wild | Episode 9: The Deserts | Free Documentary Nature
FAQ
What animal lives in the Gobi Desert?
Some of the iconic species living in the Gobi Desert are the snow leopard, black-tailed gazelle, Gobi viper, jerboa, Gobi bear, Gobi ibex, wild Bactrian camel, and others. The animals inhabiting the Gobi Desert are well-adapted to survive in the extreme desert climate.
Are there any omnivores in the Gobi Desert?
The Gobi Bear, with a population around 30 – 40 adults in the wild, is a subspecies of the brown bear that can be found only in the Mongolian part of the Gobi Desert. Listed as critically endangered, the Gobi bears are omnivorous, eating roots, berries, plants, and rodents.
What is found in Gobi Desert?
Archeologists and paleontologists have done excavations in the Nemegt Basin in the northwestern part of the Gobi Desert (in Mongolia), which is noted for its fossil treasures, including early mammals, dinosaur eggs, and prehistoric stone implements, some 100,000 years old.
What is the apex predator in the Gobi Desert?
Snow Leopard
A highly endangered species, this rare and beautiful animal is the top predator in the Gobi, largely feasting on Gobi ibex. Although they are apex predators, snow leopards are surprisingly shy and not known to be aggressive toward humans.
What animals live in the Gobi Desert?
The Gobi Desert is home to various species. One of them is the black-tailed gazelle or the goitered gazelle (Gazella subgutturosa), which is also found in parts of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Iraq, Iran, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Turkey. Within its range, the goitered gazelle inhabits limestone plateau and gravel plains and migrate seasonally in search of food.
How many species of birds live in the Gobi Desert?
The Gobi Desert is home to approximately 160 species of birds, including numerous migratory species. 6. How many plant species are there in the Gobi Desert? The Gobi Desert has a diverse plant kingdom that comprises over 400 species.
Are there Bears in the Gobi Desert?
With fewer than 40 individuals remaining, this small population of bears is found only in a specific region of the Gobi Desert. Unlike most bears, the Gobi bear is primarily herbivorous, feeding on plants, roots, and occasionally insects, as food is scarce in the desert.
How many amphibians live in the Gobi Desert?
There is one known species of amphibian that resides in the Gobi Desert. 5. How many bird species are found in the Gobi Desert? The Gobi Desert is home to approximately 160 species of birds, including numerous migratory species.
What animals live in a desert?
It incorporates a vast area between China and Mongolia. A type of cold desert, it’s mostly a place of dunes and grassland. Animals still live even in this perceivably waterless habitat. Some of the typical species in this desert include rodents and lizards. Some atypical species include camels and even bears.
What birds eat in the Gobi Desert?
The golden eagle, with its impressive wingspan and keen eyesight, is a formidable predator of the Gobi Desert. Often found nesting on cliffs or tall mountains, these birds of prey have a clear vantage point for hunting. Their diet primarily consists of small mammals, such as rabbits and ground squirrels, which are abundant in the Gobi.