Arizona has a diverse range of ecosystems, including desert, grassland, forest, and mountain habitats. The diverse ecosystem found here is home to a wide variety of animal species, including many that are found nowhere else in the world.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
The desert bighorn sheep is a large, agile ungulate with horns that are used for defense and for competing with other males for mates. It is found in the mountains and deserts of Arizona and other southwestern states.
Cougar (mountain lion)
The cougar, also known as a mountain lion, is a large, carnivorous cat found in the mountains and deserts of Arizona and other parts of the western United States. It is an apex predator that feeds on a variety of prey, including deer, elk, and smaller animals.
Javelina (collared peccary)
The javelina, also known as a collared peccary, is a small, pig-like animal found in the deserts and forests of Arizona and other parts of the southwestern United States. It is a social animal that lives in small herds and feeds on a variety of plant material.
American Black Bear
The American black bear is a large, omnivorous bear found in the forests of Arizona and other parts of North America. It feeds on a variety of plant material, as well as insects, small mammals, and carrion.
Desert Tortoise
The desert tortoise is a large, long-lived reptile found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, including Arizona. It is a herbivorous species that feeds on a variety of plant material, and it is known for its ability to survive prolonged periods of drought by storing water in its bladder.
Sonoran Pronghorn
The Sonoran pronghorn is a medium-sized ungulate found in the deserts of Arizona and other parts of the southwestern United States. It is the fastest land mammal in North America, and it feeds on a variety of plant material.
Mojave Rattlesnake
The Mojave rattlesnake is a venomous snake found in the deserts of the southwestern United States, including Arizona. It has a distinctive rattle on the end of its tail that it uses to warn predators, and it feeds on a variety of small mammals and birds.
Gila Monster
The Gila monster is a venomous reptile found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States, including Arizona. It is a slow-moving species that feeds on eggs, small mammals, and birds, and it is known for its bright coloration and distinctive patterning.
Spotted Bat
The spotted bat (Euderma maculatum) is a species of bat found in western North America. It is a small bat, with a wingspan of about 8 inches, and is distinguished by the spots on its back and wings.
Ring-Tailed Cat
The ring-tailed cat (Bassariscus astutus), also known as the ringtail or miner's cat, is a species of carnivorous mammal native to arid regions of North America. It is a small animal, with a body length of about 2 feet and a bushy, black and white striped tail that is about as long as its body.
Desert Cottontail Rabbit
The desert cottontail rabbit (Sylvilagus audubonii) is a species of cottontail rabbit found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is a small rabbit, with a body length of about 14 inches, and is characterized by its gray-brown fur and large ears.
Coyote
The coyote (Canis latrans) is a species of carnivorous mammal native to North and Central America. It is a medium-sized animal, with a body length of about 3-4 feet and a bushy tail. Coyotes are known for their distinctive howls and are often depicted in Native American folklore.
Kangaroo Rat
The kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spp.) is a group of rodents native to the dry regions of North America. They get their name from their ability to hop and move around in a similar way to kangaroos. Kangaroo rats are small, with a body length of about 5 inches, and are characterized by their long tails and large hind legs.
Golden Eagle
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is a species of large bird of prey found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a powerful hunter, with a wingspan of about 7 feet, and is known for its golden-brown plumage and piercing gaze.
American Kestrel
The American kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small falcon native to the Americas. It is a common sight in open country and is distinguished by its small size, reddish-brown plumage, and long, pointed wings.
Great Horned Owl
The great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) is a large owl found throughout much of North and South America. It is a powerful predator, with a wingspan of up to 4 feet, and is characterized by its distinctive ear tufts and yellow eyes. Great horned owls are known for their deep, rumbling hoots and are often associated with wisdom in many cultures.
Roadrunner
The roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a large, slender bird native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is known for its long legs and tail, and its ability to run at high speeds. Roadrunners are also known for their distinctive calls and for their habit of eating snakes and other small animals.
Western Rattlesnake
The western rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus) is a venomous snake found in the western United States and Canada. It is a pit viper, with a triangular head and a rattle on the end of its tail that it shakes to warn predators. Western rattlesnakes are generally secretive and avoid humans, but they can be dangerous if provoked.
Hooded Skunk
The hooded skunk (Mephitis macroura) is a species of skunk found in the United States and Mexico. It is a small animal, with a body length of about 2 feet, and is characterized by its black fur and the distinctive white stripe that runs down the center of its back. Hooded skunks are known for their strong, musky scent, which they use to defend themselves from predators.
Ring-Necked Snake
The ring-necked snake (Diadophis punctatus) is a small, nonvenomous snake found in the United States and Canada. It is a slender snake, with a body length of about 2 feet, and is distinguished by the ring of dark scales around its neck. Ring-necked snakes are generally harmless to humans and are not aggressive, but they may emit a foul-smelling odor when threatened.
Black-Tailed Deer
The black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus columbianus) is a subspecies of mule deer found in western North America, including parts of Arizona. Black-tailed deer are small to medium-sized deer, with a body length of about 4-6 feet and a weight of around 100-200 pounds. They are characterized by their distinctive black tail and white underside, as well as their large, mule-like ears.
Cardinal
The cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a species of songbird native to North America. It is a medium-sized bird, with a body length of about 8 inches and a distinctive red plumage. Cardinals are known for their bright red color and their distinctive songs, which are often heard in the early morning and late afternoon.
Cardinals are found throughout much of the United States, including Arizona. They are common in a variety of habitat types, including forests, gardens, and urban areas. Cardinals are omnivorous birds that feed on a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including seeds, fruit, insects, and occasionally small invertebrates and vertebrates.
Cactus Wren
The cactus wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) is a species of songbird native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. It is a small to medium-sized bird, with a body length of about 8 inches and a distinctive, upturned bill. Cactus wrens are known for their bold, unsteady flight and their loud, raspy calls, which are often heard in the early morning and late afternoon.
Cactus wrens are found throughout much of Arizona, particularly in the desert and semi-desert
regions of the state. They are common in a variety of habitat types, including desert scrub, cactus forests, and chaparral. Cactus wrens are omnivorous birds that feed on a wide variety of plant and animal matter, including insects, seeds, fruit, and occasionally small invertebrates and vertebrates.
If you are interested in seeing cactus wrens in Arizona, you may be able to find them in a variety of locations, including desert and semi-desert areas, parks, and other natural areas. Cactus wrens are fairly common throughout the state and can often be spotted by their distinctive raspy calls and their bold, unsteady flight. They are also often seen foraging for food among the branches of cactus and other desert plants.