psammophile

/ˈ(p)sæməˌfaɪl/

Other forms: psammophiles

The only animals that do well in the Sahara desert are psammophiles, organisms that have evolved to thrive in sandy places.

Psammophile comes from the Greek roots psammos, "sand," and philos, "beloved." This word is great for describing sand-loving desert and coastal organisms, especially the ones that evolved to flourish in sandy spots, like sand toadflax, which is perfectly adapted to European sand dunes, and various snake species that have perfected a sideways slither that's well-suited to moving across sand.

Definitions of psammophile

1. noun

   an organism that favors or thrives in sandy areas