The climatic and geographical conditions makes it one of the very harsh and inhabitable regions on the planet. The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world and the third largest desert (area wise) falling right after Antarctica and the Arctic. An Exhaustive List of the Animals in the Sahara Desert. ~ The soil of the Sahara Desert is home to a drought-resistant herb called thyme (Genus: Thymus). Designated as vulnerable by the IUCN, only 35,000-40,000 of these animals exist today. Animals in the Sahara Desert The fauna is represented by mammals, birds and various insects. ~ Medicinally, this herb is used for treating indigestion, respiratory infections, and spasms. Plants that thrive in the Sahara desert include Laperrine's olive tree, doum palm tree, lovegrass, wild desert gourds, peyote cactus, date palm tree, desert thyme, tobacco tree, tamarisk shrub and Ephedra alata. The dorcas gazelle (Gazella dorcas), a small gazelle species, inhabits the Sahara Desert and surrounding grasslands. The dorcas gazelle is well-adapted to life in the desert. ThOUGHT CO: ANIMALS AND PLANTS OF THE SAHARA DESERT Due to the high temperatures and arid conditions of the Sahara Desert, the plant life in the Sahara Desert is sparse and includes only around 500 species. ~ Apart from being a major food source for the animals of the desert, thyme is commonly used in African and Middle Eastern cuisines. Among them, in the Sahara there are jerboas and hamsters, gerbils and antelopes, a maned ram and miniature chanterelles, jackals and mongooses, sand cats and camels.