Mojave Desert

Mojave Desert

Kern's western Mojave Desert is a high desert. The flora and fauna reflect this as they are a diverse mixture resulting from many microhabitats. Typical plants include creosote bush (Larrea divaricata), Spanish bayonet (Yucca Whipplei), Kern Joshua tree (Yucca brevifolia), California juniper (Juniperus callifornicus) and a variety of chollas, barrel and prickly pear type cacti occur.

Creosote rings have been determined to be the oldest living things on the planet. One ring of creosote clones in the Rosemond area is believed to be between 11 and 14 thousand years old.

Appearing desolate and devoid of life from a distance, the desert is actually alive with life. Birds by the thousands migrate through and stop at desert oases. Reptiles of many types make their homes exclusively in the Mojave Desert. The Mojave Desert falls under the Mediterranean regime of winter precipitation.

Come springtime, and the Mojave is ablaze with awe inspiring colors from millions of wildflower blossoms.

Typical animals of the desert include: desert tortoise, chuckwalla, desert iguana, sidewinder, bighorn sheep, coyote, ravens, and hundred of other species.

Habitats Kern County Biogeography Kern County Geology Indigenous Peoples of Kern County

Interior chaparral and woodlands Great Valley Grassland Great Basin Desert Mojave Desert Sierran Forest

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