Critter Guide

“Bobcats Enjoying Sunset at Pinnacle Peak Park” by Bob Baile, 2012 Summer Fun Photo Contest, Grand Prize

The plants of the Desert Foothills are uniquely adapted to the Sonoran Desert and support species of birds, animals, reptiles, amphibians and insects that are themselves uniquely adapted to survive the challenging climate. The two bobcats pictured here are enjoying a sunset at Pinnacle Peak Park.

Just as many 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. In 1995, we named this list in honor of Jane Rau, a neighbor, veteran naturalist, desert preservationist, and co-founder of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Conservancy. Jane has always referred to the creatures that live in the wild as “critters,” rather than the more formal “fauna.”

You might want to bring a copy of this information with you when you visit our community. 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. More
Antelope Jackrabbit. A secretive animal that screens itself in every possible way from the gaze of enemies. More
Cactus Wren. Arizona’s state bird and the largest wren in North America. More
Coyote. This singing wild canine runs in packs, survives on berries, insects and small mammals. More

Desert Tortoise. A strict vegetarian that digs burrows into hillsides and under rocks often taking advantage of the initial excavations of other animals. More
Diamond Back Rattlesnake. Young rattles receive no parental care but are fully equipped with fangs and venom to fend for themselves. More
Gambel’s Quail. Unique with its teardrop topknot, this chicken-like bird prefers scurrying along the ground to flying. More
Great Horned Owl. Has large ear tufts on an 18″-25″ body; eats birds and medium sized animals, even domestics. 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. More
Gila Woodpecker. Nests in holes in saguaros or in mesquite trees; has black and white checkered wings. More
Harris Ground Squirrel. This playful, noisy rodent runs with tail aloft and can hold more than 40 mesquite beans in its cheek-pouches. 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. More

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

Sonoran Desert Toad. Summer rains trigger their emergence from underground burrows. They congregate at temporary pools of rain water for cacophonic breeding sessions. More
Spiny Lizard.A good climber who also likes rodent dens. More
Tarantula. A large, shy, nocturnal, hairy, non-poisonous spider that eats insects. 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. More
White-winged Dove. This pigeon-sized bird makes a harsh cooing sound reminiscent of a crowing rooster. 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.