Although Arizona’s deserts are scorching hot, it is still full of life. Any human would struggle to survive in this landscape, but these amazing animals that call Arizona’s deserts home have adapted in many clever ways and have hidden talents that allow them to cope with the intense heat.
1. Gila Monster
It’s not for nothing that this lizard is called a monster – it’s one of the few lizards in the world that is venomous. The toxic venom helps the lizard to defend itself in its harsh environment – however, this venom is not deadly to humans. Thanks to their ability to store fat and water in their tail, they can go months without needing water; without this clever adaptation, they wouldn’t be able to handle the heat of Arizona’s deserts.
2. Coyote
Coyotes do most of their hunting at night to avoid the scorching sun. In the desert they can’t be picky about what they hunt either, they are opportunistic feeders and munch on rodents, rabbits, and fruits amongst many other things.
3. Desert Tortoise
To escape the overwhelming desert heat, the desert tortoise digs burrows underground where the temperature can be a whole 20°F less than above ground. Not only that, they can go for a whole year without drinking water. This adaptation allows them to survive up to 50 years in the desert under these harsh conditions.
4. Roadrunner
As their name suggests, roadrunners can run really fast – at an impressive 20 mph. This makes them great hunters, and they tend to feast on insects, lizards, small mammals, and the odd rattlesnake. Roadrunners stay cool in the desert by resting in the shade during the day. They drink small amounts of water frequently, while also getting water from the food they eat.
5. Javelina
Because of the limited food available in the desert, javelinas consume a diet of desert plants, roots, and insects. This diet allows them to collect water from the plants. They’re mostly nocturnal but also have thick skin with coarse hair that shields them from the sun.
6. Bobcat
The bobcat’s spotted coat provides camouflage in the desert landscape, making it a good predator. They are excellent climbers and maintain large territories marked with scent. Bobcats live off of a diet consisting of rabbits and birds. They usually ensure that their territories have water holes, or they follow animals to seek out water holes.
7. Desert Bighorn Sheep
Desert bighorn sheep can go days without water by getting the moisture they need from their food and conserving water through minimal sweating. They are incredible climbers, using their impressive horns to navigate complicated mountain terrain, as well as fighting to settle disputes among the herd.
8. Rattlesnake
Rattlesnakes have heat-sensing pits that allow them to detect warm-blooded prey in darkness. Having a highly venomous bite, they can subdue prey within seconds. Their diet consists of eating small mammals, amphibians, and birds – these animals are also their water source. They minimize their water loss by slowing down their metabolism.
9. Harris’s Hawk
Harris’s hawks have a unique social hunting strategy, which gives them a high success rate when it comes to hunting. They use thermal currents to soar and conserve energy while scanning the ground for prey. Their diet of rodents, small birds, and reptiles ensures that they obtain water from these sources.
10. Pronghorn Antelope
Pronghorns are North America’s fastest land animal, capable of speeds up to 60 miles per hour, to make sure that they can escape predators. Similarly, their large eyes and wide field of vision are crucial for spotting threats. Like most desert animals, their water source comes from their diet, so they can survive long periods without direct water sources. Their light-colored fur, also allows them to remain cool in the hot, desert sun.
11. Kit Fox
The kit fox, North America’s smallest canine, uses its size to navigate burrows and escape the heat. They also have adorably large ears which helps to cool them down. Their diet consists of mostly insects and small mammals, of which is also their main water source.
12. Horned Lizard
Horned lizards can almost blend perfectly with the desert floor because of their body shape and coloration. They can squirt blood from their eyes as a defense mechanism when threatened. They store water, which they get from the insects that they eat, within their bodies, so that they can go for long periods without any water.
13. Desert Kangaroo Rat
Desert kangaroo rats obtain all the moisture they need from seeds. This means they barely have to drink any water at all, a much-needed trait in the arid desert. These adorable rodents are mainly active at night so that they can avoid the harsh heat of the day. They also burrow underground where the temperatures are a lot cooler.
14. Elf Owl
As the world’s smallest owl, elf owls nest in the holes of saguaro cacti, keeping them safe from many predators. Like most owls, they are mainly active at night to avoid the hot days. Their diet of small mammals and insects provides them with the necessary nutrients and water.
Wrapping Up
Each of these animals has their own set of survival skills that allow them to survive in the deserts of Arizona – one more ingenious than the other. Which one are you most impressed by? Thank you for reading!
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