1. Climate and Weather:
* Deserts: Characterized by extremely low rainfall (less than 10 inches per year). This leads to hot days and cold nights with large temperature swings. The air is often dry and clear.
* Mountains: Experience varied climates depending on elevation. Higher altitudes are much colder than lower elevations. Mountains can have frequent precipitation, especially on windward sides, leading to snow, rain, and sometimes even glaciers.
2. Plant and Animal Life:
* Deserts: Support limited plant and animal life due to the lack of water. Plants have adapted to conserve water, like cacti with spines and deep roots. Animals are often nocturnal or have adapted to survive with limited water sources.
* Mountains: Host diverse ecosystems that change with altitude. Lower slopes can have forests, while higher elevations may have alpine meadows or tundra. Animals like mountain goats, marmots, and birds of prey are adapted to these challenging environments.
Let me know if you'd like to explore other ways they are different!
