How Do Desert Animals Sense That Rain Is Coming?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do desert animals sense that rain is coming?

The Big Idea

Desert animals sense that rain is coming by noticing clues that people often miss! Changes in the air, smells, and sounds can all signal a storm. Some animals even change what they do hours before it rains.

Air Changes

Step one: the air changes. Before a storm, air pressure drops and the air gets more humid. Animals can pick up on those changes.

Smell and Sound

Step two: smells and sounds. The smell of wet dust and the rumble of distant thunder are clues, too. Insects and birds sometimes change their behavior hours before a storm.

Toads Wake Up

Step three: spadefoot toads wake up. They sleep underground for months, but wake when they feel vibrations from raindrops or thunder. Then they dig out and head to a pool within a few hours.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Air pressure and humidity shift. A fresh, wet-dust smell floats in. Far-off thunder rumbles through the ground. And a toad underground wakes up.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Spadefoot toads can dig out and reach a pool within a few hours of rain. They need to hurry, because desert pools do not last long. Then they lay eggs and eat a lot. Watch wildlife from a distance.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! For a week, notice the animals and plants near your home before a storm. Does your dog, a bird, or a flower change in some way? Keep notes in a journal. Share what you discover with a grown-up.

Outro

Desert animals read the air, smells, and sounds to know rain is near. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!