Critter Guide

Wildlife emergency telephone numbers

The plants of the Desert Foothills are uniquely adapted to the Sonoran Desert and [Tarantula] support species of birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians and insects that are themselves uniquely adapted to survive the challenging climate.

Just as these critters depend upon the existence of plants for their survival there is great dependence of species of critters on one another. The slightest upset in the balance of nature can have wide-reaching effects on the lives of the critters that inhabit the Desert Foothills. To preserve this chain-reaction dependence large expanses of desert open space are required.

Jane's Critter List provides information about a few of the many types of critters that live in the Desert Foothills - those that visitors find most interesting. Jane Rau, a veteran naturalist and desert preservationist, selected the critters.

You might want to bring a copy of this information with you when you visit Scottsdale. If you get out into the open desert, you'll be sure to see some of these creatures especially the Cactus Wren, Gambel's Quail, White-winged Dove and Diamond Back Rattlesnake (just kidding).

Jane's Critter List

Anna's Hummingbird. Spectacular flyers that can beat their wings up to 200 times per second and reach speeds up to 60 miles per hour. [Read More]
Antelope Jackrabbit. A secretive animal that screens itself in every possible way from the gaze of enemies. [Read More]
Cactus Wren. Arizona's state bird and the largest wren in North America. [Read More]
Coyote. This singing wild canine runs in packs, survives on berries, insects and small mammals. [Read More]

Desert Tortoise. A strict vegetarian that digs burrows into hillsides and under rocks often taking advantage of the initial excavations of other animals. [Read More]
Diamond Back Rattlesnake. Young rattles receive no parental care but are fully equipped with fangs and venom to fend for themselves. [Read More]
Gambel's Quail. Unique with its teardrop topknot, this chicken-like bird prefers scurrying along the ground to flying. [Read More]
Giant Horned Owl. Has large ear tufts on an 18"-25" body; eats birds and medium sized animals, even domestics. [Read More]

Gila Monster. This elusive venomous lizard with a bulldog-like bite is a living fossil honored by primitive man and protected by Arizona law. [Read More]
Gila Woodpecker. Nests in holes in saguaros or in mesquite trees; has black and white checkered wings. [Read More]
Harris Ground Squirrel. This playful, noisy rodent runs with tail aloft and can hold more than 40 mesquite beans in its cheek-pouches. [Read More]
Harris Hawk. Unique in that they nest and hunt in a group (one female and two or more males). The group shares a territory. [Read More]

Javelina. Lives in herds of up to 20. Nearly blind they use their keen sense of smell to "see you". [Read More]
Mule Deer. Distinguished by large mule sized ears, it summers in mountain regions, winters in warmer climates. [Read More]
Pack Rat. A large, soft-furred rodent that hoards food and miscellaneous objects. [Read More]
Roadrunner. A cuckoo that can run 10-15 mph; eats anything from insects to toads and mice. [Read More]
Scorpion. Once experienced, you will not forget this Arachnid's toxic sting but it is seldom life-threatening. [Read More]

Sonoran Desert Toad. Summer rains trigger their emergence from underground burrows. They congregate at temporary pools of rain water for cacophonic breeding sessions. [Read More]
Spiny Lizard. A good climber who also likes rodent dens. [Read More]
Tarantula. A large, shy, nocturnal, hairy, non-poisonous spider that eats insects. [Read More]
Turkey Vulture. Uses it large (26"-32" body, 6' wingspan) to glide in large circles scanning for carrion. Not served as a meal on Thanksgiving Day. [Read More]
White-winged Dove. This pigeon-sized bird makes a harsh cooing sound reminiscent of a crowing rooster. [Read More]

The illustrations used in this guide were donated by Judy Conklin, a local artist and Friends volunteer. The primary sources of information were Venomous Animals of Arizona by Robert L. Smith; Carefree, Cave Creek Foothills, Life in the Sonoran Sun by the Foothills Community Foundation and Desert Wildlife by Edmund Jaeger.