Desert Fact of the Day: Baja Endemism
Baja California is a hotspot for biodiversity, with a wealth of plant and animal species found nowhere else on the planet. The isolation of the Baja California peninsula, combined with its diverse microclimates, has fueled the evolution of numerous endemic species. Among the most iconic of these is the boojum tree, a surreal and spindly succulent that appears as if it were plucked from a Dr. Seuss book. (We mention them here.)
Additionally, Baja California is home to the peninsular pronghorn, a unique subspecies of the pronghorn antelope. These fleet-footed herbivores have evolved in response to the arid conditions of the region and are known for their remarkable speed, which aids the critters in escaping predators in the desert landscape. (The pronghorn evolved its fantastical running ability when there were even faster predators in North America.)
These endemic species are testaments to the biodiversity and adaptability of life in Baja California's deserts.
Desert Fact of the Day is a project of the nonprofit Desert Advocacy Media Network. D.A.M.N. also produces the 90 Miles from Needles desert protection podcast, and Letters From the Desert, an email newsletter by desert writer Chris Clarke.
🎵Pronghorns and Booji, who could ask for anything more?🎵
Well, maybe a desert mountain range high enough to have a glacier! That would be heaven on Earth!