Content including photographs are Copyright © 2014 - Present - Don & Linda Gilmore
Of all the animals in the desert the Coyote is least respected and is hunted for no reason. However this is a big mistake on the part of humans to do this. When being hunted and killed they ovulate more and the younger ones even give birth (which is not the norm). This just doesn't make any sense to kill them, they are not a threat to people!
The ring-tail cat is a mammal of the raccoon family. Native to regions of North America it is also called the Miner's Cat. It has 14 to 16 white and black stripes on it's tail which is longer than the rest of it's body. They are strictly nocturnal.
Length = 28 inches
Tall = 14 inches.
If you look closely at this photo you'll see why you've probably missed a lot of Jack rabbits. They offten hide in overhangs like this in the desert and are really hard to see. They are just trying to keep predators at bay.
Be kind to all wildlife...
This is a small mammal, not a rodent, with short limbs, rounded ears and no tail. Widespread throughout mountainous areas of Western USA and Southwestern Canada.
Life Span: 3-6 years
Size: 7-9 inches
Diet: Grasses, Weeds, Thistles The smallest mammal in the desert!
Photo courtesy of Mike Flaherty.
Here's one we saw at close range and he was taking us seriously. However after a few minutes of staring each other down he decided we weren't a threat and just walked away. These animals are true survivors and shouldn't be hunted for no reason. Attention Farmers: Keep your animals in at night so you don't have a problem. Bet you keep your car in a garage to keep it safe?
(Urocyon Cinereoargentius)
We got lucky and ran into this Gray Fox in the back of a mine tunnel that was full of barrels and trash. He seemed to be at home there. Maybe it was because of the high temperature in the back of the mine tunnel? Read the whole story HERE
If you would like to contribute photos of other mammals found in the desert, like others have done, then please email us for more info. HERE
The largest of the true foxes that inhabit the entire Northern Hemisphere. Life span: 2 to 4 yrs. They mate in the winter with the vixen (female) having 2 to 12 pups. The red coat grows in by the end of first month. This one was photographed in Central Utah.
Photo courtesy of Mike Flaherty.
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Large Mammals - Page 1
Length: 30" Tail: 14"
Range: southwestern United States (Arizona to southern Texas) south through Mexico to Nicaragua.
Activity: Noctural in summer; forages on some winter days.
Photo courtesy of Pete Moulton.
There are three (3) other common species of skunk found in the desert southwest that we don't have photographs for. The "Striped Skunk", the "Western Spotted Skunk" and the "Hooded Skunk" We need good quality photos of these small mammals. If you'd like to contribute, please let us know. These photos must your property and taken by you! Send us a note in the "contact us" form below and we'll get back to you right away. We will need the approximate location where you took the photograph(s).
We are also looking for a good photo of a Raccoon.
These guys are skinny but are still cuddly -- that's what my wife says about them, and I have to agree. They get used to you real quick. These guys and their young got use to us sitting there at sundown watching them come out to start their hunting for the night. They are nocturnal.
Here's the male matriarch of the clan we spent so much with here in the desert. You can see the large canine teeth these guys have. See the enlarged close-up.
When you do meet up with an animal in a mine tunnel it tends to be a scary experience -- this was a neat experience and the fox seemed curious and friendly. Here he was right at my feet.
They often clilmb trees, unlike a Red Fox and Coyote - they are mainly nocturnal, year around.
Hieght 15", Length 3' 2", Tail 13".
Size: body-18 to 34 inches, tail: 12 to 22 inches. White tip on the tail is only found on Red Foxes.
Now some of these guys get really big and the ears -- well they are gigantic. All the better to hear you coming. This one sat still for quite a while, frozen, trying to be invisible. He sure was healthy. When he was sitting like this, the top of his ears where approx. 20 inches off the ground.
It's amazing the wildlife you can find in the desert! See the enlargement.
Found in the western and central United States and northern Mexico. Very elusive, not oftern seen in the wild. After many years of searching we've never seen one in the wild. This one was photographed in the Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, AZ.
Generally between 23.5 and 29.5 inches in length.
Photo courtesy of Ian Cassell
Photos courtesy of Steve Valasek
Inhabits parts of South America, Central America and North America. The Coati is closely related to the raccoon.
Adult Coatis measure 13 to 17 in. from head to the base of the tail, which can be as long as their bodies. Coatis are about 12 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 4.4 and 17.6 lbs., about the same size as a large house cat.
Both photos were taken at the Santa Rita Lodge in Madera Canyon, Santa Cruz County, Arizona.
