(#1) As you can tell from my drawing above, I really like Harris's Antelope Squirrels. These little ground squirrels can often be seen dashing about... as they search for food, such as cactus fruits and seeds. Their fluffy tails are held curled over their backs, and are quickly flicked whenever they're alarmed. The squirrels prefer to dig their underground burrows under prickly pear cacti, shrubs, and rocks. I love to watch the squirrels run about in the heat of the day, then suddenly drop their bellies and spread their legs on a cool shady part of the soil (see photo below). This helps the squirrels cool off when they get too hot. They are such a delight to watch!
Anything for a Tasty Treat!
Did you know that Harris's Antelope Squirrels can climb to the very top of a spiny barrel cactus without getting poked. At the top, is quite a tasty treat--juicy seed-filled cactus fruit!
Anything for a Tasty Treat!
Did you know that Harris's Antelope Squirrels can climb to the very top of a spiny barrel cactus without getting poked. At the top, is quite a tasty treat--juicy seed-filled cactus fruit!
(# 2) One of the most interesting mammals living in the Sonoran Desert, is the Collard Peccary. These medium-sized hooved animals are also called javelinas (have-uh-LEE-nuhs) due to their long tusks, which resemble sharp javelins or spears. Peccaries look like pigs, but are not true pigs. They are smaller in size, and have almost unnoticeable tails. They also have a scent gland at the base of their tails, which is used to mark their territory, and keep track of family members. Their bodies are covered with grayish bristly hairs. The hair around the neck and shoulders is lighter in color, giving the animal the look of a collar. Javelina young are referred to as "reds," due to the warm color of their hair. They use the sharp tusks under their pig-like snouts to dig up the roots of cacti and other plants for food. The animals move around in large family groups. People commonly see them visiting water sources. They also get water from juicy tender cactus pads. These animals are not very shy, and so are frequently seen visiting homes and gardens, in search of tasty moist plants. I used to watch a small peccary family, with young, visit my yard at night. They would often rest underneath my bedroom window. They never knew they were being watched.
Did you know that collard Peccaries have been seen in groups of over 50 animals. They are fun to watch, but from a safe distance. Never get too close--Collard Peccaries can be pretty protective over their young.
"I look like a pig,
and have a pig-like snout,
but I'm not a pig.
It's time that you find out.
I'm not as big,
but I am rather stout.
And I'm just as handsome!
Take another look at me...
I'm a Collard Peccary!"
--Carolyn French
(# 3) Jackrabbits are another of my favorite desert mammals. Their very long ears are one of the first things people notice. The ears not only help them hear well, but also help the animals control their body temperature. When the ears are up, they loose heat. This helps the animals stay cooler when it's hot. The Black-tailed jackrabbit's long ears and short tails are tipped with black fur. That's how the animals got their name. Although they are called jackrabbits, these interesting mammals are actually "hares." Hares are different from rabbits. Unlike rabbits, their young are born fully furred, with their eyes open. The hares also do not live in burrows. They prefer to move about in the more open, flatter areas of the desert--searching for foods, such grass, cacti, and leaves and beans from shrubs.
Over 15 Feet (4.5 m) in a Single Leap!
Did you know that jackrabbits, when startled, can leap over 15 feet (4.5 m). Some have been recorded leaping further than that. Their long slender front legs and large hind feet can help the hares reach speeds up to 35 mph (56 kph)! Some have been recorded at 40 mph (64 kph). They run in a zig-zag pattern to avoid hungry animals, such as coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. Jackrabbits are a main source of food for these predators. No wonder they leap far, and run so fast.
Did you know that jackrabbits, when startled, can leap over 15 feet (4.5 m). Some have been recorded leaping further than that. Their long slender front legs and large hind feet can help the hares reach speeds up to 35 mph (56 kph)! Some have been recorded at 40 mph (64 kph). They run in a zig-zag pattern to avoid hungry animals, such as coyotes, bobcats, and hawks. Jackrabbits are a main source of food for these predators. No wonder they leap far, and run so fast.
(# 4) One of the smallest of my favorite desert mammals, is the kangaroo rat. These cute little three-to-five inch (8-14 cm) long rodents can be identified by their long tails, which have a tuft of hair at the very end. Notice the long tail in the photo below. Kangaroo rats actually get their name from their long tails and long kangaroo-like feet. Like a kangaroo, they can use their tails for balance when they stand up. And like a kangaroo, they also have pouches, only not on their stomachs. The pouches are on the cheeks, and are used for carrying seeds to the kangaroo rat's burrow.
A kangaroo rat can leap six feet (2 m) in one jump! That's quite a distance for such a small rodent.
These little rodents have to leap far, as they have many predators--animals that hunt and eat them.
These little rodents have to leap far, as they have many predators--animals that hunt and eat them.
"I Never Need a Drink of Water"
Kangaroo rats are perfectly suited for the desert. They can survive without ever drinking water. They get all the moisture they need from the seeds they eat, such as grass seeds and mesquite beans. Sometimes, they will get moisture from eating an insect or a green plant. These little rodents cannot sweat or pant, so they stay in their cool underground burrows during the day, and come out just after sundown to gather more seeds. They are so adorable!
Kangaroo rats are perfectly suited for the desert. They can survive without ever drinking water. They get all the moisture they need from the seeds they eat, such as grass seeds and mesquite beans. Sometimes, they will get moisture from eating an insect or a green plant. These little rodents cannot sweat or pant, so they stay in their cool underground burrows during the day, and come out just after sundown to gather more seeds. They are so adorable!
(# 5) The beautiful animal above is a bobcat. This one looks as if it has spotted the kangaroo rat above. Rodents are a large part of a bobcat's diet. I used to watch these smaller wildcats stroll right past my home, in search of the little squirrels that lived on my property. The squirrels would quickly give a warning, and then disappear into their underground burrows. The bobcat would walk real slow, so the squirrels would not notice it. Although bobcat's move around in the day, they are mostly nocturnal, which means they are active at night. You can tell them apart from other wild cats by their short bobbed tails, tufted ears, and scruffy fur around the neck. Their black spots and bars on tan-orange and greyish coloring helps the cats blend with their surroundings. This makes it easier for them to sneak up, and pounce on their prey. What's interesting, is that bobcats may travel up to 20 miles (32 k) a night for hunting. Their control of rodents has made bobcats a valuable part of the desert community.
I like bobcats so much that I decided to make a picture of a baby bobcat. The bobcat is made of fabrics. I also wrote a book about bobcats. It's called "The Three Little Bobcats." It is a funny re-telling of "The Three Little Kittens." Young bobcats look and act very similar to housecats. The young are even called kittens, and make kitten-like sounds. They will be taught to hunt by their mother until they are nearly one year of age. The bobcat is a very good mother. She will protect her kittens by moving them from one den to another. The dens are often in rocky caves, hollow logs, or other covered shelter. Baby bobcats are so cute!
A Cute & Curious Kitten
Bobcat kittens are very cute. And once they can walk, they are ready to explore the world around them. They are taught by their mothers to be very cautious. This little bobcat blends well with the tree it's climbing. The tree will help the kitten stay safe from any threats on the ground. Bobcats are good climbers. The black spotty coloring on its grayish, tannish, bark-colored fur makes it harder to see the kitten. But this little kitten has clearly spotted the camera. It knows to be careful. I can't help but wonder... what it could be thinking.
What do you think?
(# 6) Now, we have talked about a wildcat that is found in the desert. So why don't we talk about a more dog-like animal--the coyote. The coyote has often been the symbol of the Desert Southwest. What desert book, movie, legend, or cartoon does not feature this famous desert animal. Although coyotes can be found throughout the United States, they have done quite well in the desert. They are both clever and smart, and can live off of a variety of foods. Coyotes can survive on anything from cactus fruit and mesquite beans, to grasshoppers and dead animals on the road. This has helped with their survival. Like the bobcat, coyotes are good for the desert, as they eat a variety of small animals, such as rabbits, squirrels, and wood rats. This helps the desert not become overrun with rodents.
A Family of It's Own
Coyotes live in small family groups. Both, the female and the male, will raise and watch over their pups. While the mom is out hunting, the dad will patiently look after their 3-6 puppies. Coyotes can be just as playful as dogs, and the pups below are no exception. Notice the three coyote pups playing in the photo below. No wonder people sometimes confuse coyotes with dogs. They are so cute. Coyotes are not dangerous to people, and will often run away when they see a person. Still, you should not to get too close to a coyote, as it is a wild animal. It will only attack if it is sick or threatened.
A coyote's yips and howls can frequently be heard after sundown and before sunrise. They make these sounds to communicate with one another, keep track of family members, and to prepare for a night's hunt. A coyote's calls are one of my favorite desert sounds.
Coyotes live in small family groups. Both, the female and the male, will raise and watch over their pups. While the mom is out hunting, the dad will patiently look after their 3-6 puppies. Coyotes can be just as playful as dogs, and the pups below are no exception. Notice the three coyote pups playing in the photo below. No wonder people sometimes confuse coyotes with dogs. They are so cute. Coyotes are not dangerous to people, and will often run away when they see a person. Still, you should not to get too close to a coyote, as it is a wild animal. It will only attack if it is sick or threatened.
A coyote's yips and howls can frequently be heard after sundown and before sunrise. They make these sounds to communicate with one another, keep track of family members, and to prepare for a night's hunt. A coyote's calls are one of my favorite desert sounds.
"Play! chew! explore...
Play & chew some more!
What?
Time to grow up?
Play & chew... What for?
Maybe someday...
But today,
I'm a coyote pup!"
--Carolyn French
Play & chew some more!
What?
Time to grow up?
Play & chew... What for?
Maybe someday...
But today,
I'm a coyote pup!"
--Carolyn French