Hobbies And Interests
Adaptations
Desert animals deal with murderous heat and limited water in many ways. Some are active at dawn, dusk or night when temperatures are cooler. Some birds migrate to cooler climates in summer and return in the fall. Some animals sleep underground until the rains come. Large ears help some animals release excess heat. Many desert creatures absorb water from succulent plants such as cacti. Predators get most of their water from meat.
Reptiles
Reptiles include rattlesnakes, king snakes, a variety of lizards and the desert tortoise. Some retain moisture by excreting solid uric acid rather than urine. Most desert reptiles only come out during the coolest part of the day. However, some lizards survive by sprinting across hot surfaces and resting in the shade. Tortoises spend much of the year underground. Active tortoises feed on grass, flowers and freshly fallen leaves. Extremely long-lived, they can reach 100 years old. They are endangered by habitat loss, collectors, cars and abuse.
Birds
Predatory birds include the red-tailed hawk, barn owl, golden eagle and roadrunner. Raptors such as the red-tail hawk, barn owl and golden eagle eat small mammals, small birds, amphibians and reptiles. Scavengers include vultures and ravens. Herbivores include Gambel's quail and the mourning dove. Gambel's quail eats flowers, shrubs and grasses and is never seen more than a mile and a half from water. The mourning dove feeds on grasses, grains, seeds and flowers and only drinks water once or twice a day.
Small Mammals
Small desert mammals include the antelope squirrel, the kangaroo rat, jack rabbit and desert cottontail. Many of these are nocturnal. Some, such as the kangaroo rat spend the day in sealed burrows. The seal recycles moisture from the rodent's breathing. Their kidneys prevent moisture loss from urination and their nasal cavities absorb moisture normally lost through respiration. The kangaroo rat takes in water when it eats dry seeds that absorb moisture from the air.
Large Mammals
Large herbivores include big horn sheep, mule deer and wild burros. Big horn sheep are found in rocky terrain near permanent water supplies. During the day they eat grass and flowers. Mule deer are found near foothills in areas with thick brush and plenty of water.They enjoy eating brush, grass and flowers. Wild burros are descended from animals brought by Spanish settlers. They can lose 30 percent of their water before drinking. However, they destroy habitat and food for other animals by eating plants to the roots.
Predatory Mammals
The coyote is one of the most widespread mammals in the U.S. due to its varied diet. It hunts but will also eat plants and scavenge.The five-pound kit fox is the smallest wild canine in the U.S. A nocturnal hunter, it goes after kangaroo rats, lizards, insects, birds and rabbits. The bobcat is the most abundant wildcat in the desert Southwest. Predominately nocturnal, it rests under bushes during the day. It hunts rodents, birds and young deer.