California Deserts
What are two deserts found in California?
The Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert.
Where did the Mojave people live?
Along the Colorado River and in the Mojave Valley.
Where did the Cahuilla live?
In the desert south of the San Bernardino Mountains.
Name two desert plants the Cahuilla used for food.
Mesquite and chia.
What task did the old Cahuilla chief give the boys?
To climb a mountain as far as they could and bring back a twig.
How much rain do these deserts usually get each year?
Between 2 and 10 inches of rain.
Why was the Colorado River important to the Mojave?
It provided water for farming and left behind rich silt for crops.
What kind of homes did the Cahuilla build?
Round shelters called kish, made of grass and branches.
What plant family do chia plants belong to?
The Salvia plant family.
How did the chief know how far each boy had climbed?
By the type of plant or tree twig each boy brought back.
What is the highest temperature ever recorded in Death Valley?
134 degrees at Furnace Creek.
What is silt made of?
Sand, clay, and minerals carried by running water.
Why couldn’t the Cahuilla grow many crops?
They didn’t have a large river nearby, and water was scarce.
What did the Cahuilla make with chia seeds?
Bread, pancakes, and a drink mixed with water.
What did the last boy bring back?
Nothing—because no plants grew at the top.
How could people survive in such a harsh desert climate?
They lived near water sources like rivers, lakes, or springs.
What crops did the Mojave grow?
Corn, beans, pumpkins, and squash.
What animals did the Cahuilla hunt?
Deer and rabbits.
What is a poultice?
A paste-like substance used to treat cuts and injuries.
What lesson did the chief teach the final boy?
That reaching the top showed courage and maturity—he had become a man.
Which two tribes lived in California’s desert regions?
The Mojave and the Cahuilla tribes.
Why did they build their homes on stilts?
To keep them safe from flooding when the river rose.
What items did the Cahuilla trade with other tribes?
Baskets, pottery, and seashells used as money.
Name one way people use chia seeds today.
They add them to smoothies, yogurt, or baked goods.
What is the tallest mountain in California?
Mount Whitney