Living With Desert Animals: While some humans have strong reactions and judgments about various creatures which we share the desert ecology with, they are all part of the landscape. Having said that we acknowledge that sometimes we can be proactive in dealing with them. So here is a list of some of the creatures we will be calling neighbors that may directly influence us and expert guidance on how we can deal with them. Mammals: Javelina or Peccary (Pecari angulatus) Javelinas resemble a small razorback hog, are dark gray in color with a heavy neck and shoulders. Heavy black and gray bristles give a mottled appearance with lighter colored markings just above the shoulders. When the animal is alarmed or angry, a black mane is raised along the neck and shoulders. An average weight is between forty and fifty pounds. Both sexes display tusks and have a musk gland near the rump. Javelinas travel together in small herds and the female gives birth to two young in early winter. Their diet consists of cactus, cactus fruit, acorns and roots. Prickly pears are their favorites and the spines are not a deterrent. Although they thrive in the desert, they require daily trips to a water source. Herds forage together and prefer desert washes. They make homes in abandoned mine tunnels and eroded cavities in canyons. Being very nearsighted, they rely on their sense of smell and will either freeze in position, charge or scatter in all directions when danger presents. It is this unpredictable behavior that has given them a reputation for aggressive behavior. An encounter is best avoided. Mountain Lion or Cougar (Felis Concolor) The mountain lion is second only to the jaguar in size but displays a grayish brown coat with lighter belly instead of spots. It averages six to seven feet long, can weigh 100 to 200 pounds and has a two to three foot long, round tail with a dark tip. The feet are also round and large with sharp claws; it has round ears and yellow eyes. Mountain lions are solitary animals except when mating. Two to five young cubs are born in the spring usually in a den in the rocks. They prefer the upper edges of the desert in rimrock areas that provide cover for hunting. Their favorite food is deer, which they stalk or lie in wait for on rocky ledges above deer trails. They are capable of jumping a distance of twenty feet or more. They will also eat rabbits, rodents, bighorn sheep, javelina and birds. They once had a range that covered North and South America but are now extinct in many areas. Their wide distribution resulted in a variety of names such as cougar, puma, catamount and panther. Bobcat (Lynx rufus baileyi) The bobcat has a total length of 30 to 36 inches with a short tail and short black tufts on its pointed ear tips. They can weight fifteen to forty pounds and have a tan coat with dark spots and stripes. Their face is very similar to the domestic cat with long whiskers and yellow-green eyes but they have heavy legs and large feet. The bobcat ranges desert areas in rough terrain and is mostly nocturnal. It is an expert hunter and preys on rabbits, rodents and ground nesting birds by lying patiently in wait. Young are born in the spring or early summer in a den, which is usually hidden deep among the rocks. A litter of two to
four cubs, once a year, is common and the male is driven away from the den shortly after their arrival. Like most cats, bobcats are solitary animals the rest of the year. Coyote (Canis latrans) Since it is omnivorous and can to adapt to any climate or terrain, the coyote ranges throughout the United States. It is most prevalent in the southwest where it finds an abundant food supply. Coyotes have a yellowish tan coat, usually weigh about 25 to 40 pounds and can reach a length of 45 inches. Its twelve-inch long feathered tail is tipped with black. It resembles its relative the wolf and is often mistaken for the domestic dog. Four to eight pups are born in the spring, in shallow burrows or deep in rock caves, and are cared for and fed by both parents. Coyotes will hunt together in groups but they also obtain food by scavenging and eating roots, grass, berries and other fruits. They are social animals and will congregate in packs. The coyote has been called song dog or God s Dog for its habit of barking, yelping or singing, usually when in groups or calling to other coyotes. Many legends and tales have been handed down in Native American cultures about this wily, intelligent and widespread cousin of the wolf. Coati Mundi (Nasua narica) It appears the coati migrated into the Southwest from Mexico, perhaps in the early part of the twentieth century. The coati has a two-foot long, bushy, ringed tail that is usually carried upright and makes it distinctive. It is about four feet long and two feet tall with a brown coat and darker mask on the face, which has a long nose and sharp teeth. The hind legs are longer than the front and end in claws. Three or more young are born in early summer in a den among rocks or hollow trees. They join a group of up to 200 individuals when old enough to travel. They will call to their mother in a high piping voice when they wander away from the others. Groups forage together and eat worms, insects, small rodents, berries, bird s eggs, small mammals and roots, small lizards and snakes. They are adept at turning over rocks or digging up the ground in their search for food. Coatis are very slow runners and will freeze at perceived danger. However, if flight is necessary, they are excellent climbers and will run up trees to escape predators. Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus auduboni) This western form of cottontail is about 15 inches long, grayish brown in color with the distinctive white tail that gives it its name. It has large eyes, whiskers, long ears and short legs. Hind feet are long, about three to four inches. In its desert habitat, it nests in burrows where several litters of two to six rabbits are born every year. They leave the nest when quite small and are very playful until fully grown. These prolific little vegetarians feed in the early morning and early evening, wherever succulent greenery is available. They are prey for every carnivore that shares their range and are speedy at escaping, resorting to a zigzag run while heading for the nearest brush or burrow. Once into cover, sometimes in a tangle of prickly shrubs, they will freeze until danger is past.
Rock Squirrel (Citellus variegatus) Anyone living in the Tucson Tortolita Area has seen these ground-dwellers on the rocky outcrops. They are about twenty inches long with a nine-inch bushy, striped tail. Dark gray to tan in color, they are white underneath with tan feet. Nests can be built in rock crevices or in burrows between buried boulders. Five to ten young are born in spring and summer. A vantage point for sentry duty is usually located near the nest and danger is noted with a loud, shrill whistle to warn other squirrels. When threatened they will slip quietly off to their burrows and wait until the danger is past. Predators are many, including snakes, ferrets and hawks. These hungry little animals harvest the prickly pear fruit, seed pods, nuts, berries, grass seeds, acorns and are known to dine on birds eggs. After fattening up all summer, they will hibernate. In the desert this period may be for only a few days or weeks. Insects from scorpions, to killer bees: Insects, centipedes, spiders and scorpions are all arthropods or animals that wear their skeletons on the outside of their body. However, they are not all bugs. They differ in several ways. Insects have three main body sections the head, thorax and abdomen, six legs and two antennae. A most successful species, insects have been around since before the dinosaurs appeared, or about 400 million years. They can be found everywhere on mountains, near the sea, in the sea and other water, and in the desert. They are the dominant life force on earth, numbering more than all other species combined. Beetles alone may account for over a million species. Without them life as we know it would disappear since they help plants reproduce, clean up dead and decaying animals and plants and provide the main food source for many other animals. As much as we may dislike some species, the majorities, or over 97%, are considered beneficial to mankind. Some of the insects, which can be found here in our Southwest desert habitat, include beetles, butterflies and moths, walking sticks, bees, wasps, ants, grasshoppers, crickets, flies, mosquitoes, and cockroaches. One thing to keep in mind is that THEY were here much before us, and are likely to be here after man is long gone from this planet. We need to rethink our relationship with these creatures that are often called pests. Treating them with insecticides and harsh chemicals is not the answer, especially here at the Bridge. There are other ways and creative thinking is necessary in order to live in harmony with insects. To find out in much more depth visit our sister site at www.tortolita.com/insects.html Rattlesnakes and other reptiles: Here is some of the science with a link to learn more. Rattlesnakes are broadly divided into two genera. The true rattlesnakes (Crotalus) are among the most advanced of all snakes and are characterized by generally having large rattles and small scales covering the tops of their heads, except for the large scales over their eyes.
The other genus, Sistrurus, includes the pigmy rattlesnakes and massasaugas, which normally have nine large plate-like scales on their heads and slender tails with small rattles. They are considered to be more primitive than the true rattlesnakes and may represent a "side path" on the evolutionary road from moccasin-like ancestors to the rattlesnakes. This group is represented in the southwestern U.S. by the desert massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus edwardsi). This species enters Arizona in the southeastern portion of the state and inhabits low-lying damp areas in the desert-grasslands. Its range may have been reduced in historic times due to overgrazing. The region encompassed by Arizona, Sonora, Baja California, and the Gulf of California islands is exceedingly rich in rattlesnake diversity with at least thirty-six subspecies represented. Seventeen are found in Arizona alone, making it the rattlesnake capital of the United States. The striking variation in topography and ecosystems largely accounts for this diversity. Generally speaking, the rattlesnakes of Arizona might be grouped into three categories based upon altitudinal and habitat preferences, e.g., the desert grassland species, the foothill species and the Upper Sonoran-montane species. Several species overlap these categories to some extent. Here is important information. Your most important tool to deal with a snake bite is. Your brain. The first tool you will use is a cell phone to call 911. The next most important tool will likely be your car keys to take you to a hospital or doctor. Remember than there are very few actual poisonous bites in Tucson, even fewer actually result in envenomation. And still fewer are actual deaths. You have a far more likelihood of being struck by lightning than bit by a rattlesnake so let s put this in perspective. For other reptiles and their natural history please see our extensive list and facts at our sister site www.tortolita.com/nature.html Wild Birds: Here is a list with some information on the birds you may see at our property. Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) Well known in Wild West folklore for circling over dying cowboys and prospectors, turkey vultures feed on dead animals and clean up the desert. They soar effortlessly on wind currents to seek out carrion and their keen senses of sight and smell allow them to located carcasses from far away. They may have a wingspan of five feet, with black to brown feathers and bald, red heads. Rather than building a nest, one to three eggs are laid in hollows on cliffs, ledges or caves. They have no call but will hiss and puff. When danger threatens they vomit rather than scratch and claw. The smell, from the carrion they eat, will cause predators to run away. Common Raven (Corvus corvax) These highly intelligent members of the crow family may have a wingspan of four feet or larger. They usually live in pairs but have been known to form roosts of 100 and are called a mob. Being omnivorous, they eat large insects, garbage, small birds, lizards and mammals, fruit and carrion. They will store away excess food.
Skillful fliers, ravens tumble and wheel through the air when mating or chasing other birds. Their call is loud and raucous and can be heard for long distances. Favorite nesting sites are cliffs and tall trees and three to six spotted eggs are common. These are certainly the highest evolved social birds and tales of them caring for and even rescuing others of their kind are common as are legends of their intelligence. They are know to use tools and even hide away their favorites and become possessive about them. Much like some humans. Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Another popular subject of cartoons and folklore, roadrunners are eye-catching ground dwelling birds that are found throughout the Southwest in open, dry areas. About two feet in length with long tails they can reach speeds of fifteen miles per hour, running with their heads and tails extended. To stop they abruptly raise their tail. Their diet consists of grasshoppers, insects, spiders, lizards and small snakes, scorpions, bats and rodents. It will hold its prey in its beak and beat it against a rock or the ground to kill it before swallowing it whole. A member of the cuckoo family, their nests are built of twigs in cacti or low trees where two to six eggs are laid and incubated by the male. They apparently mate for life and are very protective of their territories, mates, and offspring. There are many tales of them adapting to humans including taking food and shiny objects from people. They also teach this behavior to their mates and young. This species and a couple others in other countries are likely the closest to what an average dinosaur looked and behaved like. In fact, a leading paleontologist has called the T Rex the Roadrunner From Hell. Harris Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) Dark brown plumage distinguishes these birds from other hawks and their tails are tipped with white feathers. Hawks are members of the raptor group, which have hooked upper beaks, feet with sharp claws or talons and excellent vision. Hunting together in social groups, they pursue their prey from different directions and sometimes in relays. They have been seen flushing prey from cover while others wait and attack the mammal or bird. A communal meal follows. Often you can see them piled two or even three high on top of each other as they roosts. We don t know why they do this, but is a very advanced behavior compared to most other birds. Preferring desert scrub and Palo Verde trees, they can also be seen sitting on poles and on top of saguaros cactus where they often build their nests. They are very fast and highly maneuverable in the air. They are also very playful and are called the wolves of the air. Of all the raptor species these seem the most adapted to living close to mankind. Gambel s Quail (Callipepla gambelii) These plump, ground dwelling birds are one of the favorites of the Southwest. Their distinctive teardrop shaped topknots and trail of young following behind the adults have endeared them to artists and bird lovers alike. They form coveys or groups, flock together and call loudly to each other to keep in contact.
Their nests are well-hidden, grass-lined depressions and may hold more than a dozen eggs. Chicks leave the nest within a day of hatching to follow their parents around. Usually only two or three will survive. They roost together at night in the safety of the desert trees. It is not uncommon to see two parents and up to a dozen chicks and sometimes twice that many. As with most ground dwelling birds very few of the young survive into adulthood. White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) These birds are mostly gray with distinctive white wing patches. They are smaller than the more common mourning dove. Feeding mostly on seeds on the ground and fruits and berries, they are also seen enjoying nectar from flowers. They are an important pollinator of the saguaro cactus. Favored habitat is in desert scrub and mesquite trees and they are also well adapted to city living. Many migrate south into Mexico in the fall and return when it warms again in the spring. Doves are members of the pigeon family. They will often nest in garages, carport ledges, and other areas very close to humans and often seem unconcerned by close proximity. Gila Woodpecker (Melanerpes uropygialis) The Gila woodpecker makes its presence known with its loud rapping when making holes in trees, cacti, telephone poles and houses. It also has a noisy, loud, laughing cry. They are black and white with a red head marking. They seem to like all the commotion they cause. Mating season in the early spring can be a trying time for all the humans in their territory. The best way to discourage them is bright shiny objects that move in the wind like pieces of chrome ribbon, old CD s tied to strings and hung off the roof areas that are being chopped up. Other effective methods are placing realistic plastic owls (the kind with bobbing heads work best) and plastic snakes in gutters. Their four toed feet are strong and well adapted to clinging and they use their long stiff tail for balance, on vertical surfaces. Their primary diet consists of the insects it finds while knocking on tree trunks but they also eat fruit, seeds, bird eggs, small birds and lizards. Woodpeckers will also visit hummingbird feeders. The most abundant woodpecker in the desert Southwest, it makes its home in cavities in saguaros by drilling a deep hole and laying three or four eggs. Parents care for the young for up to a year. Their noisy drumming on metal objects establishes their territory and often drives humans to desperate measures. Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) Members of the songbird family, cactus wrens are the largest wrens in the United States. They have a brown and white speckled body and a long curved bill. Their call is bold, harsh and loud. This wren is an insect eater, preferring to search the ground for bugs and seeds. Males build several nests to attract females, usually in the branches of a cholla cactus. Nests are large, elliptical structures with an opening at one end. Made of grass, weeds and twigs they are usually lined with feathers. Found items such as string, tissue, wax paper and newspaper will also be used if available. When the female has selected the best nest, she produces three to six eggs and is fed by the male while she broods the clutch. The extra nests are used for sleeping quarters at night.
The cactus wren is the state bird of Arizona. They are playful, loud, funny, aggressive, adaptable, and well deserve their status. Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) A member of the silky-flycatcher family with glossy black feathers, the phainopepla s name is Greek for shining robe. It has a long tail, red eyes and crested head. It looks very much like a black cardinal and is often called that by newcomers. It catches its primary meals of insects on the wing and enjoys mistletoe fruit. When the desert heat of summer arrives, the phainopepla heads for higher canyons in elevations where there are oak and sycamore trees. They are one of the only birds that can eat and thrive on the highly poisonous mistletoe berries and the male will establish his nesting territory at the largest patch in the highest tree that he can find and will defend it aggressively from other birds. Costa s Hummingbird (Calypte costae) A spring and winter visitor to feeders throughout the desert Southwest, Costa s hummingbird migrates during the summer to cooler climes near the California coast. They are very colorful birds with an iridescent head and throat. Aerial courtship is conducted at speeds that defy their size, sweeping upward and plunging downward, calling all the while in a shrill chirping voice. Their tiny nests are strong, cup-shaped structures of plant fibers, spider webs and plant down. Two eggs are about the size of lima beans. While they feed mainly on nectar with their long bills and tongues they do consume small insects as well. Their metabolism has the highest rate of any animal and they must feed constantly. To compensate, during the night their temperature falls and heart and breathing slow to save energy. Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) A tiny grayish brown bird with a greenish yellow head, the verdin is constantly on the move in its search for food. Most of their diet consists of insects, fruits and berries and flower nectar. They will also visit hummingbird feeders. They have been seen to hang upside down when trying to reach food. Verdin nests are built in cholla cactus and other thorny shrubs and trees. Round in shape, nests are hollow in the center and are used to sleep in as well as for raising young. They are spectacular in their mating rituals as the male flies straight up in the air, hovers as long as he can, and then falls straight down to his perch. Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) Another busy desert denizen the canyon wren is not as colorful as its cousin, the cactus wren. However, its song of descending notes is one of the most enchanting sounds to echo out of the arid canyons where it lives. It is a tweee-tweee-tweee-tweeetweee with each note on a descending lower scale. The canyon wren uses its long bill to probe for spiders and insects as it creeps among the rocks and crevices of its habitat. Their nests are built in shady areas for protection from the intense heat. They will rid your garden of more insects then any other creature outside a bat when they are raising their young.
They are also very tolerant of their humans and will nest in garages and such. It is not unusual for them to raise 4 to 6 babies successfully. And then they will spend several days luring them away from the nest and into the rocks and boulders that they frequent when not nesting. They are exceptional parents. House Finch (Carpodacus mexicanus) From the family of finches, this common bird has become the sparrow of the Southwest. It inhabits urban areas, riparian woodlands and desert scrub. They are brown with red heads and breast patches. Social birds, they congregate in small groups. Feeding on seeds, insects, fruit and flower buds; they also visit hummingbird feeders for nectar. An abundant native of the Southwest desert, numbers of house finches are now being found east of the Mississippi. Many, many more birds live in our area. We have been blessed with the largest, numerically, number of birds here in Southeastern Arizona then anywhere outside the tropics. Organizations such as the Tucson Audubon society and the Nature Conservancy can give you more information.