Chihuahuan Raven	White-necked Raven	Cuervo llanero		Corvidae	Corvus cryptoleucus	Chihuahuan ravens inhabit yucca desert, mesquite groves, and desert grasslands.  They can also be found in  lowlands  with trees or utility poles nearby for nesting.		Chihuahuan ravens are carnivorous. They primarily eat insects and carrion.			Chihuahuan ravens are actually a smaller version of the common raven.  They are an black bird. However, their thick ruffs hide white neck feathers which are visible during flight. Although they make a "caaa" sound like other ravens, their voice is higher pitched.		Chihuahuan ravens are gregarious birds who roost communally and perform group aerial displays.  They are known for perching and soaring.  This bird will also reuse the same nest year after year.  A scarcity of trees may have caused this bird to do this.								Soaring and gliding.		Chihuahuan ravens mate for life and use the same nest every year, possibly due to shortage of trees. During mating season the male courts the female with fancy soaring. They also soar, preen and construct the nest together.  Four to seven greenish, blotched eggs will be layed into the nest.  These nests are often found in mesquite or yuccas or even on a utility pole!	Bird	thwhiteneckraven.jpg	MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Udvardy, M.D.F. (1988). The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	196		whiteneckraven.jpg			 Length:  19 - 21 in. (48 - 53 cm).	
Common Poorwill	The Sleeping One;  Goat-milk-suckers	Tapacamino teśii	Navaho:  BeŽ zhee; Hopi: Hšlchko	Caprimulgidae	Phalaenoptilus nuttallii	Common poorwills inhabits desert, chaparral, sagebrush, and arid woodlands.		Common poorwills are insectivorous. They eat night-flying moths and other insects.			Common poorwills are plump and stocky without the tapered necks characteristic of most birds.  They are mottled all over with shades of gray and brown except for a white streak across the throat and white tips on its rounded tail. They are named for their melancholy mating call which sounds like "poor-will."  The poorwill is the smallest bird in the nightjar family.	Common poorwills are known among Hopi Indians as hšlchko meaning the sleeping one. Old wise tales said that poorwills drank milk from goat's teats.	Common poorwills are the only southwestern desert bird that hibernates in the winter. Due to cold weather and lack of food, the poorwill hibernates in canyon walls which provides an excellent camoflage. Breathing and heartrate become undetectable, metabolism slows and temperature drops as much as 60 percent. 										Common poorwills lay 2 white or cream-colored eggs in shallow depressions in gravel on the ground, or on bare rock.  Incubation is done by both the male and female.	Bird		Jaeger, E. C. (1961). Desert Wildlife. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Reader's Digest.  (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  .	197	Common poorwills are nocturnal birds who feed on moths while flying, similar to the way bats feed.  				Length:  7 - 8.5 in. (18 - 22 cm).	
Golden Eagle		Aquila real		Accipitridae	Aguila chrysaetos	During the summer golden eagles can be found in the mountain forests or open woodlands.  In the  winter they may be seen over the deserts throughout many areas of the southwest.	Man was once this bird's main enemy, but laws now prevent them from being hunted. 	Golden eagles are carnivorous. Their favorite foods are rabbits and squirrels. They also eat foxes, birds, snakes and carrion. Thes birds will occasionally attack and kill large animals such as coyotes, pronghorn, or bighorn sheep and rarely, young livestock.			The golden eagle is a very large, dark brown bird with feathered legs and feet and a slightly banded tail.  Its beak is huge, curved, and sharp for tearing its food, and it has large sharp talons on its yellow feet. The eagle's name comes from its golden collar and the slightly gold tint to its feathers.  The voice of the golden eagle is a high-pitched "kee-kee-kee."  They also have a high scream or squeal, but are usually silent.	During the "Middles Ages" in Europe, the golden eagle was called the King of Birds and used in hunting. Some Native American tribes believed that the golden eagle could fly through a hole in the sky and bring messages back from another world. They often used the feathers in fans, headdresses, and sacred objects. Now that the golden eagle is protected by federal law, Native tribes must get permits to use feathers of dead birds by the Department of the Interior.	Golden eagles have special flying maneuvers made up of swoops and dives. They  use these during courtship and to display territorial boundaries. Young golden eagles are very aggressive to each other, and the larger birds may sometimes kill the smaller ones or take all their food. Between predators, disease, and starvation, up to 75% of eaglets may die in their first year. 								High soaring  but may drop very quickly on the squirrel or rabbit that it is going to eat. It can soar for hours by riding the thermals and  flattening its wings. Golden eagles have been known to fly at 150 to 200 miles per hour!		Golden eagle pairs stay together for a number of years. After a dramatic courtship in the sky, the eagles nest in high mountains, on cliffs or on tall trees. Its nest is made of sticks, and each year it adds more of them until the nest is up to five or six feet tall and just as wide. Nesting can occur any time from February to June, depending on the climate.  There are usually two white eggs with brown spots which hatch after about 35 - 45 days. Although the female does most of the incubating and child care, both parents find food for the eaglets. The young eagles are ready to leave the nest in 2 - 3 months, although they may continue to get food from their parents for several more months.	Bird	thgoldeneagle.jpg	Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Guterson, B. (1994). Seasonal guide to the natural year. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.;  Harrison, K., & Harrison, G. (1986). The gallery of birds . In A. E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us. San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  O'Gara, B. W. (1994). Eagles. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.	198	Golden eagles are diurnal.  They are most active during the day when they are soaring over the high mountains and deserts searching for food.  Desert eagles may be either year-round New Mexico residents or migratory birds who come down from the North for the winter. The migrating birds are usually in the Southwest from October to March.  	goldeneagle.jpg			Length: 30 - 41 in. (76 - 104 cm ).  Wingspan:  78 inches (2 m).	
Harris' Hawk	Bay-winged Hawk; Chestnut-thighed Buzzard; Harris Buzzard	Sarceta verde		Accipitridae	Parabueto unicinctus	The Harris' hawk is found in chapparal and in open woodlands.   It may also be seen on the ground or sitting in the trees and bushes of riparian and desert areas.		Harris' hawks are carnivorous. Their favorite foods are small mammals, such as ground squirrels, rabbits, and mice. They will also eat small reptiles and  birds.			Harris' Hawk is a slim, medium-sized bird with dark feathers on its body. It has light brown on its shoulders, wings, and thighs, and a white rump. The tail is black, with a white band on the edge and white on the sides. The hawk's beak is curved for tearing food. It has a long, loud, high pitched scream that sounds like "iirrrrr." 		Unlike most hawks which hunt alone, the Harris' hawk sometimes hunts in groups of 3. This gives it a good success rate for catching prey.								Their flight pattern is to beat their wings rapidly  a few times, and then to glide for a short time. They fly in wide circles.		The Harris' hawk nests in saguaro cactus or trees. The female lays 2 - 4 whitish eggs with brown or light blue spots, and hatches them herself. The male participates by bringing her food.  Unlike most birds, these females may have 2 mates at a time who both help provide for the female and the young.	Bird	thharrishawk.jpg	Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Harrison, K., & Harrison, G. (1986). The gallery of birds. In A. E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us. San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  Heintzelman, D. S. (1979). Hawks and owls of North America: A complete guide to North American birds of prey. New York:  Universe Books.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Terres, J. K. (1980). National Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: New Mexico State Cooperative Extension Service. 	199		harrishawk.jpg			Length: 18 - 30 in. (46 - 76 cm).  Wingspan: 43 in. (109 cm).	
Ladder-backed Woodpecker		Carpintero mexicano		Picidae	Picoides scalaris	Ladder-backed woodpeckers can be found in desert mesquite bushes and in the trees of riparian areas, especially near desert streams.		Ladder-backed woodpeckers are omnivorous.  They eat ants, beetles, larvae, moths, and other small insects. They also like cactus fruit and oranges.			The ladder-backed woodpecker has black and white zebra stripes on its back and black and white spots on its belly. The male has a red cap on the front of its head. Tail feathers are stiff and pointed  and legs are short with sharp claws. These special features help the bird to balance on the sides of trees and cacti. The rhythmic drumming of the woodpecker's beak against wood or metal is one way to recognize the bird. This noise helps establish territory and attract mates.  These woodpeckers have a loud rattling call.	The woodpecker's habit of pecking holes sometimes causes damage to homes or barns in rural areas. Although they prefer natural wood, they will also poke holes in stained or painted wood and plastic used in solar heating panels.  This is especially damaging to buildings that are not used all the time, like vacation homes.	This woodpecker lives as part of an interesting eco - system with the agave plant (also called the century plant) and the agave beetle. The beetle pollinates the plant and then lays its eggs in the stalk. The larvae hatch and eat some of the seeds of the plant. The woodpecker then eats the larvae, which allows the plant's seeds to develop and the plant to mature. After the seeds mature, the plant dies and the woodpecker uses the stalk as a nest site.										This woodpecker usually  builds its nest high in the agave plant or saguaro cactus, although it will also nest in mesquite or other desert bushes when necessary. The ladder-back female lays from 3 - 6 eggs in the spring. Both male and female hatch the eggs and feed the squeaking young.	Bird	thladderback.jpg	Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.; Marsh, R. E. (1994). Woodpeckers. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  Photograph:  G. Morris Southward.	200	Ladder-backed woodpeckers are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	ladderback.jpg			Length: 6 -  7 in. (15 - 17 cm).	
Curve-billed Thrasher		Cuitlacoche (songbird) pico curvo		Mimidae	Toxostoma curvirostre	Curve-billed thrashers can usually be  found in cholla cactus, mesquite, creosote and palo verde in desert lowlands.		Curve-billed thrashers are primarily insectivorous, but they also eat berries, fruit, and seeds.			The curve-billed thrasher is grey-brown with a brownish streaked belly and a light throat. It has a long dark tail, and bright orange eyes, and sometimes has light bars on its wings. These birds get their name from their long curved beak. They have a soft musical song with varied tones, but when bothered they make a distinctive call that sounds like "whit-wheet". 		Curve-billed thrashers are very active and aggressive birds. They are known to drive other birds off feeders and may even attack a squirrel. Curve-billed thrashers have large, strong feet for their size, and often run, rather than fly. They find their food by poking around under dry brush and dirt on the ground.										Curve-billed thrashers, like cactus wrens, nest in cholla cactus because of the protection their young will get from the thorny plants. In fact, the thrasher may tear up a cactus wren's nest and chase the smaller bird away to take a particularly good site for its own eggs. Between January and July, females lay 2 - 4 greenish speckled eggs in cup-shaped nests that are made of twigs and lined with grass. Thrasher females rarely leave their nests unless an intruder approaches them too closely.	Bird		Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Jaeger, E. C. (1961). Desert wildlife. Stanford, CA:  Stanford University.;  Kirk, R. (1973). Desert: The American Southwest. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  .	201	This bird is a permanent year-round resident of the Southwest. 				Length: 10 - 11 in. (25 - 28 cm).	
Black-chinned Hummingbird	Summer Hummingbird	Colibri barba negra		Trochilidae	Archilochus alexandri	Black-chinned hummingbirds inhabit a variety of areas in the Southwest.  They may be found in shrub deserts, chaparral, open woodlands, and in mountain forests.  They also live in cropland orchards and in the gardens of urban areas.		Black-chinned hummingbirds are both nectivorous and insectivorous. They drink nectar from flowers, particularly red ones. They also eats insects. Hummingbirds get the water they need from flower nectar when it is available.  When the flowers are no longer blooming, another source of water must be found.			The black-chinned hummingbird gets its name from the black chins which appear only on the males. Males also have blue-violet bands on their throats, while the females' throats are white. The backs and heads of these birds are iridescent-green, and their underbellies are white or whitish-brown. In flight, these small hummingbirds make a buzzing sound with their wings. They have two calls: one sounds like a buzz, and the other is a short tup sound.	When converting Indians to Christianity, Jesuit priests found a place for hummingbirds in their spiritual teachings.They illustrated Christ rising from the dead by likening the event to hummingbirds coming out of their torpor. 	Black-chinned hummingbirds are very territorial birds, especially when nesting. Males have been known to fatally attack intruders, stabbing them with their long pointy beaks.  Hummingbirds are the only bird that can fly backward, straight and down and sideways!  Hummingbirds are the smallest birds in the world.										Female hummingbirds construct a soft cup - shaped nest and incubate two eggs while the males defend the territory.  Males court with fancy aerial displays but do not stay with females after the mating cycle.	Bird	thbchinnedhummer.jpg	Guterson, B. (1994). Seasonal Guide to the natural year. Golden, CO: Fulcrum.;  Jaeger, E. C. (1961). Desert wildlife. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.;  Kirk, R. (1973).  Desert: The American Southwest. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Tweit, S. J. (1992). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.    	204	Black-chinned hummingbirds are diurnal.  They must go in and out of torpor throughout the day to put their high energy needs on hold. Black-chins also winter in Mexico when food is scare in the northern parts of their range. 	bchinnedhummer.jpg			Length:  3.25 - 3.75 in. (8 - 10 cm).	
Black-throated Sparrow	Desert Sparrow 	Zacatonero garganta negro		Fringillidae	Amphispiza bilineata	Black-throated sparrows inhabit deserts with sagebrush and cactus as well as dry urban areas and in croplands.	Snakes	Black-throated sparrows are omnivorous.  They eat dry seeds during hot dry seasons. After the rains, they switch to green vegetation and insects. During seed eating season these sparrows drink frequently at watering holes, but they do not need to drink water when eating a lot of vegetation.			True to its name, the black-throated sparrow has a black throat and tail with a gray body. Above and below its eyes are two white racing stripes that run from the beak to the back of the head. Its underbody is also white. It is often found singing melodiously on a creosote bush. Its song sounds like "cheeeet cheeeet cheeee," ending in a throaty trill.		Black-throated sparrows are one of the few creatures that can limit the amount of water eliminated in its droppings. This serves it well in the desert, where it often needs to conserve moisture.										These sparrows build a soft grassy nest close to the ground in creosote bushes and cholla cactus. They breed once in the spring and again in the summer, having 3 or 4 chicks each time.	Bird		 Jaeger, E. C. (1961). Desert wildlife. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Zwinger, A. H. (1989) The mysterious lands. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press.;  Photograph:  .  	205	Black-throated sparrows are diurnal.  They are most active during the day, beginning with the first gray light of morning.  Desert sparrows are year round desert residents and active singers except in the northern most part of their range.  				Length:  4.75 - 5.5 in. (12 - 14 cm).	
Torrey Yucca	Spanish Dagger, Spanish Bayonet, Palm Yucca	Palma		Agavaceae  (Agave family)	Yucca torreyi	Dry soils of plains, mesas, and foothill slopes; desert grasslands and shrub thickets.			Many small, flat, rough, dull black seeds similar in appearance to watermelon seeds.		The Torrey yucca is an evergreen shrub or small tree. It can grow with either one trunk or can branch into several trunks. A cluster of long, yellow-green bayonetlike leaves, usually 2 feet to 3 1/2 feet long, grows on top of the trunk. The leaves taper from a wide base to a sharp, spiny tip at the end. The tips can hurt you if you run into them! 
	Many Native Americans depended on the yucca for food, and used the fibers of the leaves to make ropes, mats, sandals, baskets, and cloth. The yucca is the New Mexico state flower.	Cactus wrens build their nests in Torrey yuccas.  The spines on the leaves offer natural protection from predators.		Flowers are clustered around the upper end of a stalk that grows from the top of the plant. They are 3 - 4 inches long (8 - 10 cm), white or purplish-tinged, and are bell-like in appearance.  	The fruit is 4 - 5.5 in. long (10 - 14 cm) and 1.25 - 2 in. wide (3 - 5 cm).  It is brown to black and contains many seeds.	Zone: 6, 7.	Used in native landscapes and as an ornamental or accent plant.	Low. It can survive with whatever water it gets from rain and snow.					Plant	thtorreyyucca.jpg	Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe, NM:  Red Crane Books.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Justin Van Zee.	206		torreyyucca.jpg	Plant the seeds in full sun in well-drained soil. When transplanting, be careful not to remove the soil from around the roots. Once established, yucca needs little care, and requires no fertilizer or supplemental water.		Height: Trunk: 3 - 24 ft. (90 - 720 cm).  Leaves:  2 - 4.5 ft. (60 - 135 cm).  Stalk:  3 - 4 ft. (90 - 120 cm).	
Ocotillo	Coachwhip	Palo Verde		Fouquieriaceae  (Ocotillo family)	Fouquieria splendens	Desert grasslands, plains and on rocky, gravelly slopes up to 5,000 ft.					Ocotillo branches grow from the ground straight up, then slightly curve when they begin to flower. This shrub breaks out in tiny, bright-green leaves after a summer shower.  The leaves fall off during dry spells to save water.  During dry spells, tubular, fire-red flowers bloom at the end of the branches. Flowering occurs between April and July, attracting many hummingbirds.	A white flame is created when ocotillo is burned. That led to native peoples and early settlers calling it candlewood. Southwest Indians used the flowers and seeds as food.  Ocotillo stems have been used to make corrals and fences.
	Ocotillo is the only member in its family. There are 11 species. 		The ocotillo has beautiful, tube-shaped orange-red flowers in clusters at the tip of the stems.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/ocotilloblossom.jpg">See bloom</a>	Oval capsule filled with many flat seeds.	Zone: 7, 10, 11, 12, 13.	Used in decorative security fencing by planting cut branches a foot apart.	Low.	Soil must drain quickly or plant begins to rot.				Plant	thocotillo1.jpg	Crumpler, H.  (1994).  On the trail of the desert wildflower.  New York:  Harper Collins Publisher, Inc.;  Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe:  Red Crane Books.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred K. Knopf.;  Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants: Landscaping region by region.  Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly Press.;  Photograph:  1)  Norm Lownds;  2)  G. Morris Southward.	207		ocotillo2.jpg	Ocotillos are very hardy plants that grow throughout the desert.  Can be grown from seeds or cut branches.		Height: 8 - 20 ft. (243 - 609 cm).  Width: 6 ft. (182 cm). Stems: 3 in. diameter. (8 cm).	
Great Horned Owl	Big Hoot Owl; Cat Owl; Chicken Owl; Eagle Owl; Hoot Owl; Horned Owl; King Owl;Virginia Horned Owl	Bircho cornudo		Strigidae	Bubo virginianus	Great horned owls inhabit the desert and desert mountains in areas where they can find shelter and nesting sites.  They are found throughout North America in riparian areas, open woodlands, mountain forests and even croplands and urban areas.	Humans	Great horned owls are carnivorous. They have a varied diet, because they are powerful enough to bring down prey that weighs several times more than they do.  They eat mammals like mice, squirrels, rabbits and even opossums, woodchucks, beavers and skunks. They will also eat birds like grouse, crows, hawks and other owls. They are capable of fishing, and will nab fresh water fish and other aquatic inhabitants, such as snakes, right out of the water. 		Up to 29 years in captivity.	Great horned owls are the largest and best known of common owls.  They  are named for the two pointed tufts of feathers on opposite sides of the head - crown that look like horns. Their deep yellow, front-facing eyes are set within typical owl eye circles. They are mottled and take on the coloring of their habitat ranging from dark browns to light grays. More often heard than seen, the call of a great horned sounds like "hoo, hoo-hoo-hoo, hoo," and carries well.  The call of the young has been described as a blood-curdling scream.  	Because of their intelligent and intimidating appearance, great horned owls have sometimes been described as being the human match in the animal kingdom. In fact, our expression "wise as an owl" relates to these birds. Great horned owls have been responsible for the death of small livestock and many barnyard birds, and so they were once killed in numbers by hunters and farmers. They are now federally protected and a permit is required to kill a great horned owl.	Great horned owls hunt silently at night by swooping down and grasping their prey in their fierce talons.  The prey is brought to a roosting site and then torn into swallowable pieces. Owls do not chew their food, instead they swallow it whole and later regurgitate indigestible matter, such as bones and fur, in the form of pellets. Examination of these pellets tells researchers what the owls have eaten. Great horned owls use an astonishing number of hunting strategies. They have been known to steal muskrats from traps; enter wired chicken coops and slip into hen houses through small, low openings; attack roosting owls, hawks, and turkeys; descend into chimneys to get at swifts; and wade into shallow streams to fish. It seems that great horned owls love a challenge! 								Owls fly silently, reaching speeds of up to 40 mph.		Great horned owls build nests that look as if they were thrown together hastily with large twigs. Sometimes they will use the nests of other large birds such as red-tailed hawks. The nesting season runs between January and June depending on the area.  Both parents incubate  2 - 3 eggs and provide food for the owlets. Female owls are larger and the primary hunters. The owlets remain in the nest for up to 10 weeks.  	Bird	thhornedowl.jpg	Cameron, A., & Parnall, P. (1971). The nightwatchers. New York: Four Winds.;  Heintzelman, D. S. (1979). Hawks and owls of North America: A complete guide to North American birds of prey. New York:  Universe Books.;  Hygnstrom, S. E., & Craven, S. R. (1994). Hawks and owls. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage.;  Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Terres, J. K. (1980). National Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. New York: Knopf.; Photograph:  Doug Burkett.  	208	Great horned owls are primarily nocturnal.  They are wonderfully adapted nighttime hunters.	hornedowl.jpg			Length:  25 in. (63 cm).  Wingspan:  55 in. (139 cm).	
Pi–on Jay	Blue Crow, Pi–on Crow, Maximilian's Crow or Jay (the discoverer), Pi–onero	Chara pi–onero		Corvidae	Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus	Pinon jays can be found in the foothills of the Southern Rockies in Pi–on -  Juniper open woodlands.		Pinon jays are omnivorous. They prefer to eat the nuts from pi–on pine trees, when available. Otherwise they will eat other types of seeds, grasshoppers, beetles, fruits and berries.			Pi–on jays are in the crow family, and look like miniature blue-gray versions of their larger cousins.  Their underbellies are a paler blue and their throats are white streaked with blue.  Noisy, crow-like and nomadic, pi–on jays caw, mew and chatter. Their genus name, Gymnorhinus, means "naked nose".  The jays were so named because their nostrils are not covered by feathers like other members of the crow family.  The species name, cyanocephalus, means "blue head".		A flock of jays collect nearly a ton of the nutritious, fatty, pi–on seeds in late summer and early fall and stores them under leaves for the winter. They can transport up to 20 seeds to the seed cache by packing them in their esophagi. The seeds that don't get eaten by the jays may sprout into new trees in locations that are far from the parent tree, enlarging the range of the tree.										Pi–on jays are so closely associated with pi–on nuts that they will delay breeding for a season if the current crop of nuts is not large enough to meet their needs. They settle in a suitable area during nesting time, between February and June, and each couple lays 4 to 5 blue and green tinted eggs.  The nest is a bulky cup of twigs, roots, grass, and hair.  Incubation is done by the female only and lasts 15 - 17 days. 	Bird		Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Terres, J. K. (1980). National Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  . 	209	Pi–on Jays travel and live in flocks of several hundred birds. Because they only like to eat pi–on nuts, they store food in preparation for winter when the nuts are scarce.				Length:  9 - 11.75 in. (23 - 30 cm).	
Four-wing Saltbush	Wing-scale, Shadscale	Chamiso		Chenopodiaceae  (Goosefoot family)	Atriplex canescens	Found in desert valleys, plains, mesas and hillsides.  Usually grows in sandy and somewhat alkaline soils.			Very small seeds surrounded by four winglike structures.		Four-wing saltbush has a weedy appearance with nondescript colors.  The gray-green leaves on the branches are long and narrow. In August and September, papery fruit grows in clusters at the end of branches.  Four-wings grow with little encouragement, in the poorest of soils with little water.	The four-wing saltbush's pollen is known to cause hay fever in some people. It is nutritious and an economically important source of food to animals and man.	Often used as erosion control on sandy hillsides. This drought-resistant shrub is fire-resistant.  If it burns it grows back next year.		Small, yellow flowers about 1/16 of an inch long.	Four winglike membranous structures, 1/4 - 3/4 in. long, surround a small seed.	Zones:7, 8, 9.	Desert landscapes. Sometimes used as a privacy hedge.	Low					Plant	thsaltbush2.jpg	Hodoba, T. (1995). Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe:  Red Crane Books.;  MacMahon, J. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Sunset Magazine Editors.  (1988).   Sunset Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing Co.;  Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants: Landscaping region by region.  
Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly Press.  Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	210		saltbush1.jpg	Once established, they will flourish if left alone.		Height: 3 - 8 ft. (90 - 243 cm).  Width: 8 ft. (243 cm).	
Coppery-tailed Trogon	Elegant Trogon	Trog—n elegante		Trogonidae	Trogon elegans	Coppery-tailed trogons inhabit cool, mountain forests with riparian micro-habitats.		Coppery-tailed trogons are both insectivorous and frugivorous.  They are primarily eat grasshoppers, mantids, leaf beetles, caterpillars and moths.  They also eat certain fruits, such as grapes and cherries.			Coppery-tailed trogons are exotic, tropical birds known for their beauty.  Trogons are related to quetzals considered the most beautiful birds in the world. Coppery-tailed trogons are so named for their long copper-colored tails which hang straight down. Males have a dark green or golden bronze head with this color extending to the chest. The underbelly is rose-red with a white band across the breast and their beaks are bright yellow.  Their beauty does not extend to their call, which is a coarse, croaking sound easily heard and used to locate the birds.	The quetzal, which is a close relative of the coppery-tailed trogon, is the national bird of Guatemala. Among the Aztecs in Mexico, the birds were so prized that only rulers wore their feathers, and anyone else harming a quetzal would be put to death.	The nesting female trogon eats insects and fruits while hovering over her meal low in the forest. This makes her easy prey for Cooper's hawks, who hide in the foliage and then swoop down for the kill. The male trogon often feeds higher, which keeps him safer from the plummeting birds.										Coppery-tailed trogons breed between March and June, usually in May. Before mating, a male trogon will look at several tree hollows or deserted woodpecker holes until he is joined by the female at a suitable spot. The female lays 3 - 4 white eggs, and the young hatch in about 2 1/2 weeks. The babies remain in the nest for another 2 - 3 weeks after hatching.	Bird	theleganttrogan.jpg	Guterson, B. (1994). Seasonal guide to the natural year.  Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.;  Kirk, R. (1973).  Desert: The American Southwest. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin.;  Terres, J. K. (1980). National Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian. 	212	Trogons come to several mountain areas in Southern Arizona near the New Mexico border to breed in May every year. In the Chiricahuas, they nest in altitudes between 5000 and 6500 feet. The rest of the time they live in tropical areas of Mexico and Central Mexico.	eleganttrogan.jpg			Length:  11 - 12 in. (28 - 30 cm).	
Carp	Common Carp			Cyprinidae	Cyprinus carpio	Common carp are found in permanent fresh water environments, either in lakes or slow-moving streams and rivers. They prefer quiet, shallow, warmer waters with lots of vegetation. In New Mexico, they are plentiful and can be found in the Rio Grande River.	Turtles, eagles, large fish.	Omnivorous. When young, they prefer crustaceans, insect larvae, and plankton.  When they become adults they still eat insect larvae, but include mollusks, larger crustaceans, and aquatic vegetation into their diet.		Average age is 12 years,  but some carp have lived to 40 or 50 years!	Carp are fairly thick-bodied fish with gold to olive colored backs and yellow-gold sides. They have white bellies and orange, yellow, or light green fins. The nose and mouth are large and protrude forward, and the mouth angles down like a frown.  Carp have four "dagger-like"  barbels which are used as feelers to help them find food.  Most carp are covered with scales outlined in a dark color, which makes each scale look like a little square.  	The history of carp goes all the way back to ancient China, where they have been cultivated since the fifth century BC. They are also known to have been eaten in ancient Rome and Greece.  There are even tales told about people seeing carp that weighed 400 lbs!!  That's a pretty big fish story!  Carp were introduced into the United States in the late 1880's.  Today, they are an important source of food (protein) to many people throughout the world, although they are not very popular in the United States.  Sport fisherman also enjoy fishing for carp because they are fun, yet difficult to catch.  	Carp are related to goldfish. They are originally from Japan, China, and Central Asia.  When a carp is searching for food, it has the unique ability to pull its' head back and seize prey that's above it.  Carp are considered pest fish because they disturb other fish habitats.  They do this by eating their eggs, uprooting vegetation, and stirring up and muddying the waters.	Average 15 lbs. (6.8 kg), but up to 60 lbs. (27 kg)									Carp breed when the weather and the water gets warm - about 75 degrees F (24 C).  They lay about 220,000 eggs,  and scatter them among plants and debris. The eggs hatch in 3 - 16 days, if the temperature is right. Young carp grow quickly to adult size.	Fish	thcarp.jpg	Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.; Paxton, J. R., & Eschmeyer, W. N. (1994). Encyclopedia of fishes. San Diego, CA: Academic Books.;  Sublette, J. R., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Photograph:  John F. Scarola - New Hampshire Fish & Game.
	213	Carp are both nocturnal and diurnal. They feed during almost any time of the day or night.	carp.jpg			Length:  20 - 30 in.  (51 - 76 cm)	carpbn.jpg
Catfish	Channel Catfish			Ictaluridae	Ictalurus punctatus	Catfish live in cool to warm permanent, fresh water environments. They like ponds, reservoirs, and large rivers with many aquatic plants.	Turtles. Also large fish eat small catfish.	Omnivorous.They eat aquatic insects, other fish, crustaceans, frogs, and plant material. Large catfish will even eat small water birds and mammals.			Catfish are famous for their "whiskers" which are actually  barbels.  Their long bodies are greenish to pale blue with a little bit of silver. Their sides have some dark spots and their bellies are white. Catfish have flat heads and no scales. During mating season, the males become darker and their heads get larger.	Catfish are important to sport fisherman and commercial fisherman alike. They can be grown in a fish hatchery and are a valuable food fish.  There are many tales about how big catfish can grow.  Some local tales might include stories of divers going into deep lakes and seeing giant catfish as big as cars, and other stories of catfish eating small children. However,  none of these stories have ever been proven.	Catfish are sometimes called "mudeaters" because they do their feeding on the water bottoms.They use their "barbels" (whiskers) as feelers. Barbels are covered with taste buds to help them detect food in front, below and alongside of where they are swimming. The dorsal and pectoral fins of the catfish have spines that they can use as weapons against enemies.  	Average about 25 lbs. (11.3 kg)									Spawning takes place from May to June. The male creates a nest for the spawning female under the banks of the water's edge, in rubble, boulders, or logs. The female spawns once a year and may lay up to 100,000 eggs!	Fish	thcatfish.jpg	Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.  North American wildlife. (1982). Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph:  Wydoski & Whitney.	214	Catfish are primarily nocturnal, being most active from sundown to midnight. They usually live a solitary life.	catfish.jpg			Length: 2 - 40 in.  (5.08 - 101 cm)   Max:  55 in.  (127 cm)	
Rainbow Trout				Salmonidae	Oncorhynchus mykiss	Permanent aquatic, fresh water environments. They may be found in cold, clear, lakes or in swift-moving streams.		Primarily carnivorous. They eat insect larvae, mollusks, and crustaceans. Larger trout will also eat other fish. Rainbow trout occasionally eat some algae. 			The rainbow trout is a very pretty fish. The top of the head, back and upper sides are bluish-green to brown with small dark spots. The lower sides are silvery gray with a reddish-pink stripe. The lower fins are yellowish and the belly is white.  	The rainbow trout is considered one of the best angling (fly fishing) fish by sportsman. It is famous for its high leaps and its strong fight once hooked. Rainbow trout is a popular food fish. It is good to eat and is grown in fish hatcheries both for commercial sales and to stock rivers, lakes, and streams. In fact, much of the trout that is now in New Mexico lakes, rivers, and streams is stocked fish rather than wild fish.  	Rainbow trout were originally only found west of the Rocky Mountains. They were introduced into New Mexico because they easily adapt to new environments.  They are now plentiful in streams and other waterways. Rainbow trout are very territorial. They will pick an area in which to live and will fight off any other fish that try to invade their territory! 	From 3 - 8 lbs. (1.36 - 3.63 kg)  Max: 18 lbs. (8 kg)									Rainbow trout usually migrate upstream in the spring to spawn.   The female makes a place to spawn, called a "redd", in an area with gravel. After laying 200 to 12,000 reddish orange eggs, she will cover them with gravel. Eggs hatch in about 2 months. The young grow quickly and reach full size in about 2 years.  Rainbow trout live in warm waters with brown trout and in cooler waters with cutthroat trout. They will breed with these other species.	Fish	thrainbowtrout.jpg	Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Sublette, J. E., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).  North American Wildlife.  Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph: 1. Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game 2. Daniel W. Gotshall.	215	Mainly diurnal. Rainbow trout may feed at any time of the day, although they favor early morning and late afternoon. Large fish will generally feed in deep pools, while smaller ones may be found in the shallows. The trout sometimes hide under rocks, logs, plants, and in deep pools. 	rainbowrock.jpg			Length: 1 - 3 ft. (30 - 152 cm)   Max: 5 ft.  (152 cm)	
Largemouth Bass	Sunfish			Centrarchidae	Micropterus salmoides	Permanent aquatic, fresh water environments.  Prefers rivers that run slowly, or quiet, warm lakes and ponds with lots of vegetation.	Striped bass, osprey, & bald eagles.	Carnivorous. Adults eat insects, crayfish, frogs, snails, and other fish. The young primarily eat zooplankton.		About 16 years.	The largemouth bass is olive-gray to green on top, with yellowish-brown eyes. The belly is light with a pinkish tint. Many bass have dark green blotches on the back and sides that seem to form a band from eye to tail. The largemouth bass gets its name from its long mouth which is turned upward, and extends beyond the bass's eyes. The dorsal fins are separated, and are usually olive in color.	The largemouth bass is an important sports fish, being the object of huge bass fishing tournaments. It is considered a <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/fish/largemouthbass2.jpg">trophy fish</a> by many fishermen. These bass are also good to eat. They can be grown in fish hatcheries and then used to stock rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and lakes. Largemouth bass are native to North American waters, but have now been exported to Europe.	This bass is abundant throughout New Mexico, particularly in lower elevations. It survives well in murky waters with lots of vegetation. Partly due to their successful breeding strategy, the bass's environment sometimes becomes overcrowded with fish, which may cause them to become cannibals. The bass's growth and breeding behaviors are also strongly affected by the water temperature. 	5 - 25 lbs. (2.3 - 11.3 kg)									Largemouth bass will breed when they reach 7 - 8.5 inches in length. About 1 - 5 days before spawning, the male makes a nest in the protection of boulders, slopes, or  plants by using its fins to fan out a circular area.The female will spawn, usually in late April or early May,  when the temperature of the water is 18 - 24 C. The eggs hatch in about 4 days.The male guards both the eggs and the newly hatched young. They are completely mature at about the age of 3.	Fish	thlargemouth.jpg  	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.; Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press. Wernert, S.J. (1982). North American Wildlife. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.; Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;
Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  
Photograph: 1. Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game. 2. Byron Wright, New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.  	216	Largemouth bass may be either nocturnal or diurnal. They often feed greedily at the surface, most actively in the early morning, at dusk, or at night. However, they have been known to feed at any time of the day.	largemouth.jpg			Length: Up to 3 ft. 2 in. (97 cm)	
Pupfish	Killifish, Salt Creek Pupfish, Alkali Minnows, Top Minnows, Toothed Carps			Cyprinodontidae	Cyprinodon salinus	They live in both ephemeral and permanent aquatic environments, often in shallow, salty,  pools of water.	Diving Beetles and larger fish.	Omnivorous and detrivorous. They eat algae, plant and animal material, insects, worms,  or whatever is available.		Short life - will live only one season.  	Pupfish are very small gray-green to brownish in color. There are vertical bars or stripes down the sides. They have a small upturned mouth, and smooth scales.  The males can be very colorful during mating season, and are larger than females.	Pupfish are a very popular aquarium fish. However, there are already five species of pupfish that are extinct, and more on the endangered species list. In many cases, their habitats have dried out. Irrigation and human uses of water have also affected the flow of springs that feed their pools. The introduction of larger fish that compete for food or eat the pupfish is another problem. 	These fish have made many successful adaptations for living in the desert. They can live in water temperatures greater than 100 F, and in water that is six times saltier than many ocean fish can survive in. In fact, their species name, salinus, comes from the Latin word for salty. Because many of the pools they live in are so shallow, they dry up quickly. So pupfish bury their fertilized eggs in the mud bottom. The eggs wait there until the next rain, and then hatch, in many cases after the parent fish have died. Pupfish can also flip themselves from one small pool to another, or burrow in the mud when their pools are drying out or freezing over.										Pupfish spawn in the summer and lay about 200 eggs either on the bottom or in vegetation. They may bury their eggs in the mud bottom of the pool to protect them from drying out. The eggs hatch from 3 weeks to 6 months later, depending on pool conditions. 	Fish	thpupfish.jpg	Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Smith, C. L. (1994). Fishwatching: An outdoor guide to freshwater fishes. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.;  Sublette, J. R., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).  North American Wildlife.  Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Photograph: Dr. V.W. Howard, New Mexico State University.	217	They are considered surface  feeders, often hanging motionless near the surface of the water waiting for insects.  They will jump short distances over the ground in wet weather and will catch insects on their way.	pupfish.jpg			Length:  1 - 5 in.  (2.5 - 12.7 cm)  Max: 7 in. (18 cm)	
Gizzard Shad				Clupeidae	Dorosoma cepedianum	Found in permanent,  fresh-water environments. The young prefer the quiet, surface waters of  lakes and reservoirs. Adults like the deeper waters on or near the bottom of rivers or lakes. They are quite common in New Mexico in the Rio Grande and Pecos Rive	Bigger fish and water fowl.	Detrivorous and herbivorous. They will eat any type of debris or plankton they can find at the bottom of the water. They filter this food through "gill rakers".		4 to 6 years.	The gizzard shad has a silvery blue body with a white belly.  Fins are dark. When young, it has a dark purplish spot, about the size of an eye, right behind its gills. The mouth is small and the nose is rounded. The gizzard shad's mouth has a distinct notch in the upper jaw and it has no teeth. The back dorsal fin has a long, stringy filament that extends along the back and back toward the tail. The gizzard shad is named for its stomach, which is thick-walled and muscular like a bird's gizzard.	The gizzard shad is a bony fish and not a valuable food source for man. It rarely strikes a hook, so is not valued by sportsmen, either. Most of its value is as a food source for bigger game fish. 	Gizzard shad are a type of herring, and like herrings, travel in large "schools". When disturbed, they leap into the air, which stirs up the water in which they live. This sometimes has a bad effect on other fish that prefer to be in quieter waters.										Spawning occurs in spring, at night, in shallow water for about 6 weeks.  Eggs are scattered around and they stick to plants, rocks, and other solid material under the water.  The eggs hatch in 2 to 4 days depending on the water temperature. The young grow rapidly for 2 - 3 years before they are fully mature.	Fish	thgizzardshad.jpg	Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Sublette, J. R., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: Charles Purkett  .	218		gizzardshad.jpg			Length: 8 - 14 in.  (20 -  36 cm)	
Walleye	Pikeperch, Walleyed Pike,  Yellow Pikeperch.			Percidae	Stizostedion vitreum	Permanent aquatic, fresh-water environments. They live in large rivers and streams with sandy or gravel bottoms, or the deep, cold waters of lakes and reservoirs. 		Carnivorous. Adults primarily eat native fish and crayfish but will also eat frogs and insects. The young mostly eat insects.		15 - 16 years	The walleye is a slender fish, with a greenish-brown or golden upper body with dark spots, and a white belly. It has silvery eyes, a blunt snout, strong teeth on the lower jaw and rough scales all over. The dorsal fin is in two distinct parts; the first is rounded and spiny, the second is squared and soft. The walleye gets its name from the eye, which seems to have a film, or a "wall", over it. 	The walleye is an important fish for sportsmen.  It's also an excellent food fish because of it's great taste and texture. Walleye travel in schools, so if one is caught, there are usually many more caught within a short period of time.	Walleye were originally found in North America east of the Mississippi river. Now they are being introduced into the cool, deep, waters of many Western states. The walleye is often confused with either the pike or the pickerel, which are both known for their teethed jaws and carnivorous habits. However, pike and pickeral are generally solitary, shallow-water fish, unlike walleye, which are usually found in deeper waters traveling in "schools".	Average: 5 -11 lbs.  (2 - 5kg)  									The walleye spawns at night in spring. It takes place in shallow waters over rubble, gravel, or aquatic vegetation. It scatters it's eggs over the rocks and sand and then leaves them alone to hatch. Young walleye are completely mature in 2 - 3 years.	Fish	thwalleye.jpg	Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Sublette, J. R., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Photograph: John F. Scarola, Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game.	219	Primarily nocturnal. In clear waters and good weather, adults begin feeding at dusk and continue into the night. In stormy waters or during bad weather, they may also eat during the day. Generally, they spend their days in deep water, and only come to the shallow waters at night.	walleye.jpg			Length: 2 - 3 ft.   (61 - 91 cm)	
Northern Pike				Esocidae	Esox lucuis 	Permanent aquatic. It lives in shallow lakes, swamps, and slow moving rivers, with lots of vegetation.	This pike has few enemies because it's so aggressive.  	Carnivorous. They mainly eat other fish. When Northern pike are young, they prefer invertebrates such as crustaceans and insect larvae, water fleas, worms, and fry fish. As they get older, they eat young fish, tadpoles, newts, salmon, trout, water birds, small mammals, amphibians, and other pike. They are so aggressive, they will even eat fish and other animals their own size and bigger!		7 - 10 years or more.	The Northern pike has a long slender body with blue-gray to olive-green back and sides, and a white belly. The sides also have horizontal rows of yellow and white spots. It has a long snout with very pointed jaws, and both upper and lower teeth.  The fins are located way back by the tail. Females are larger than males.	The Northern pike is both an important sport fish and commercial food fish. It is the most widely distributed freshwater fish in the world.	The pike's teeth are very important to its behavior.  The bottom teeth are very strong, and stick straight up to help catch prey. The upper teeth are actually located on the top of the mouth. They are curved backward,  which prevents its prey from getting away. Northern pike are often called "freshwater sharks" because its such an aggressive predator of other fish. Like many carnivores that live on land, it stalks other fish by hiding and then springing out to ambush its prey. It hunts by sight and not by scent. 	Up to 50 lbs. (22.7 kg)									Spawning occurs in early spring in shallow water along the banks of rivers and sometimes in flooded grasslands. The spawning female will be accompanied by 2 or more males. She will shed 40,000 -  500,000 eggs over the vegetation. The eggs will hatch in 2 - 3 weeks in water of proper temperature. The female eggs will hatch first and and grow faster than the males.	Fish	thnorthernpike.jpg	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., & Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.;  Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Paxton, J. R., & Eschmeyer, W. N. (1994). Encyclopedia of fishes. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).  North American Wildlife. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Photograph: John F. Scarola, Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game.	220	Northern pike lead solitary lives except when spawning. They are so sensitive to temperature changes of the water that they will change their habits with the seasons. In spring, winter, and fall, they stay in the shallows and feed. In summer, they remain in deeper, colder water and spend less time eating.	northernpike.jpg			Length: 2 - 4 ft. (60 - 122 cm)  Max: 5 1/2 ft. (165 cm)	
Bannertail Kangaroo Rat		Rata Canguro		Heteromyidae	Dipodomys spectabilis	Desert grassland, slopes with brush and shrubs, usually with creosote bush or acacia trees. Likes gravelly soil.	Rattlesnakes, owls, badgers, bobcats, ringtail cats, skunks, foxes, coyotes.	Herbivorous. They eat desert grass seeds, mesquite, tumbleweed, sunflowers, and sand burrs.			One of the largest kangaroo rats, the bannertail kangaroo rat is dark buff color on top and white below. It gets its name from its dramatic looking tail, which has white stripes on the sides, a wide black band near the end, and a long, very bright  white tip. The eyes are large and black and are set back on the sides of the head. It also has long, 4-toed  hind feet, as well as pouches in its cheeks, used for transporting food to its burrows.	Bannertails have had a strong impact on the Chihuahuan Desert by helping to change it from desert grasslands to shrub desert.This is because the areas around their burrows provide fertile soil in which the shrubs can grow. They eat desert grass seeds and immature stems, which may keep some of the grasses from seeding new plants. Bannertails may also compete with livestock for food, because of their very large appetite for grasses!!	Kangaroo rats are rodents that are closely related to pocket mice and ground squirrels. They get the "kangaroo" part of their name from the way they hop like kangaroos. In fact, bannertails can hop up to 10 feet at a time. They are also excellent runners, zig-zagging back and forth to get away from predators. When running they can quickly change their course of direction by swinging the long rudder-like tail to one side.  This often confuses their pursuer. Bannertails are well adapted to the desert. They don't need to drink water because they can get all the liquid they need from their food. They have long nasal passages that keep them from losing moisture when they breathe. Like other kangaroo rats, bannertails like to take dust baths to keep their fur from getting too greasy, often using the same location many times.	About 3 - 5 oz. (0.09 - 0.14 kg).								When walking, paw prints from the front feet are small and round, while the tracks for the back feet are much larger with 4 toe marks. The tail also leaves a  drag mark. When hopping, the tail and front feet are often missing from the track.	Kangaroo rats usually breed in late spring, and give birth to 2-4 babies at a time.The females  raise the young, who stay in their burrows until they are full grown (for about 2 months). They then leave to make their own burrows.	Mammal	thbankangaroorat.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Whitaker, J.O.Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.; Photograph: Roger W. Barbour, ©The Smithsonian Institution.	221	Bannertails are usually nocturnal and not very sociable among themselves.  Usually only one individual will occupy a mound, except when a female is raising young.  Their burrows are large, with many connecting tunnels and chambers that may go down as far as six feet underground. The dirt from the excavated burrow remains outside, creating a pile or mound in which desert shrubs often thrive.  Each rat lives alone in this complicated burrow, collecting large quantities of seeds which it stores for the winter. In the past, bannertails remained in one burrow for most or all of their lives. Now that there are less grasses in the desert, they often must move several times to find a new food supply.	bankangaroorat.jpg			Length: 12 - 15 in.  (30 - 38 cm).  Tail: 7 - 9 in.  (18 - 23 cm).	bannertailkratbn.jpg
American Kestrel 	Sparrow Hawk	Cernicalo americano		Falconidae	Falco sparverius	American kestrels inhabit open meadows, open woodlands, croplands or urban locations near high perches, telephone poles, or wires.	Occasionally, a kestrel may be caught by a ground predator.  Kestrels may be accidentally poisoned by pesticides.	American kestrels are carnivorous. They primarily eat insects, small snakes, lizards, and a few mice.			The kestrel is the smallest falcon of the desert. It is the size of a blue jay, and has about a 2 ft. wingspan, with the female a bit larger than the male.  The kestrel has a rust colored head, back, and tail, with black marks behind the ear and under the eyes. Its back is rust with black bars, and the underside is light buff to white with black dots. The male has grey-blue and rust colored wings, while the female's wings are reddish with dark streaks. It has a loud call that sounds like "killy-killy-killy."	The kestrel's feeding habits help keep the rodent population in control, since the more the mice breed, the more mice kestrels will eat. They can often be seen hunting over highway medians, and adapt well to living in nest boxes in these locations.  Some states put up these nesting sites on the backs of highway signs to keep kestrels in the area.	The American kestrel has a very fast metabolic rate (burns food quickly) so it needs to eat often. Some kestrels are known to have eaten 90 mice in a year, which is quite a lot for a bird that weighs less than a quarter of a pound! They also have very light, air-filled bones, which allow them to be agile and quick fliers. Kestrels scan for prey either from perches or by hovering in the air. When they see something good, they quickly beat and then fold their wings, plunging down to stun or kill their prey.										As part of the mating ritual, male kestrels offer food to the females.  They usually nest in hollows in trees, old woodpecker holes, or even under the eaves of buildings.  The female lays from 3 to 5 eggs that are buff to pinkish white with brown dots.  It takes from 29 to 31 days for the eggs to hatch.	Bird		Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.; Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.  	222	American kestrels are diurnal. They are most active during the daylight hours.				Length: 9 - 12 in. (23 - 30 cm).   Wingspan: 2 ft. (60 cm).	
Western Kingbird		Tirano palido		Tyrannidae	Tyrannus verticalis	Western kingbirds inhabit desert grasslands, brushland,  chaparral, and roadsides.	Man is the greatest enemy.  Man moves into areas where this bird lives and the bird has to leave.	Western kingbirds are omnivorous. They eat flying insects, fruit and seeds.			The western kingbird has a grey cap, light grey throat and chest, yellow belly, and blackish wings and back. The square, dark tail has white on the side feathers. The kingbird has a low but sharp call, with a longer flight song.		Kingbirds prefer living in open spaces.  Because of this, they are frequently found in alfalfa fields and in pastures. They perch on tree limbs or on fence posts looking for flying insects. When they find one, they pounce quickly, sometimes catching it in the air.								This bird has the interesting ability to hover while it searches for food.   It can also dart and change direction quickly,  which gives you a good chance to see its underside and tail.		The Western kingbird prefers to nest in mesquite and cottonwoods.  However, it may build a nest on telephone poles, windmills or other tall places if cottonwoods are not available. The nest is large and built with twigs, string, leaves, and then animal hair.  Both sexes help to build it. The female lays 3 to 5 creamy-white eggs with brown or lavender blotches.  The eggs hatch in 12 to 14 days.	Bird	thwesternkingbird.jpg	Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Photograph:  Dr. V.M. Howard.	223	Kingbirds are diurnal. Some stay in the area through the winter and some migrate south when the weather gets cold.  	westernkingbird.jpg			Length: 8 - 9 in. (20 - 23 cm).  Wingspan:  7 in. (18 cm).	
Black-tailed Gnatcatcher		Perlita del desierto		Muscicapidae	Polioptila melanura	Black-tailed gnatcatchers can be found in the desert near washes lined by creosote bushes or near  mesquite and sagebrush.		Black-tailed gnatcatchers are insectivorous.  They exclusively feed on insects.			The black-tailed gnatcatcher is a very small and slender bird. It has a pointed short black bill.  Its back and the top of the wings are blue-grey and the underside is a light greyish-white. The long black tail has white edges. During the summer, the male has a black crown. The sound of this gnatcatcher is "chee chee chee."  		Despite their seemingly frail appearance, gnatcatchers are not afraid of anything.  They attack blue jays and even crows who encroach on their territory.								These birds fly in a  quick darting motion.		Black-tailed gnatcatchers build nests that are made of a compact cup of grass, bark strips, and fibers.  It is about 2 1/2 inches across, and 3 1/2 inches high in mesquite, creosote, sagebrush, cactus, or any brush they can find.  There are 3 or 4 pale blue eggs with reddish specks which hatch in fourteen days.  Incubation is done by both the female and the male.  	Bird		Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Reader's Digest.  (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  .	224	Black-tailed gnatcatchers are diurnal.  They are very active during the day. It hops from branch to branch catching small insects from the leaves and branches. It also can catch insects in the air.				Length: 4.5 - 5 in. (11 -13 cm).	
Verdin		Baloncillo		Paridae	Auriparus flaviceps	Verdins can be found near mesquite and other shrubs in the desert.	Small hawks, owls, and roadrunners.	Verdins are omnviorous. They eat insects, seeds, berries and nectar.			The verdin is one of the smallest of the desert birds and very active. You can find it quickly hopping around inside large bushes. It has a yellow head and throat, a grey back, light belly, and brown shoulders. The bill is straight and sharply pointed.  These birds make a thin "tsilip," sound that is frequently repeated.	The name verdin comes from the French word for yellow. The bird is named for its bright colored head.	The male verdin actually builds the nest with very little help from the female. If she will not nest in it when he is done with the construction, he will build another one for her.  These birds seem to have no need for water.  They evidently get what they need from their diet of insects and seeds, the verdin has never been seen drinking or bathing.								Very quick and bouncy.		Verdins nests are quite large in comparison to the size of these birds.  It is made of thorny twigs with a hole in one side and a roof, and is in the thickest part of a cactus, palo verde or mesquite. The female lays 3 to 5 greenish dotted eggs which are well protected in the nest.	Bird		Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  IV the birds: Bird of the month. (June 23, 1997). [On-line]. Available: http://www.pavilion.co.uk/outdoor/docs/birdotm.htm.;  Reader's Digest.  (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York:  Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  .	225	Verdins are diurnal.  They are very active during the day.				Length: 4 - 4.5 in. (10 - 11 cm).	
Greater Sandhill Crane	Sandhill Crane	Grullagris		Gruidae	Grus canadensis	Sandhill cranes inhabit riparian areas with shallow water, sandbars, prairie ponds, and open marshes where they can see enemies from far away.   They can also be found near the larger desert rivers, flooded areas, or sometimes large stock ponds. They also	Coyotes, bobcats and other large predators may catch cranes when they are on the ground feeding in fields covered with cornstalks or other tall brush and grasses.	Sandhill cranes are omnivorous. They will eat almost any thing. Cranes use their strong bills to dig for seeds and worms. They also eat insects, small mammals, bird eggs, baby birds and berries.			The sandhill crane is very tall, slender, grey bird with a red forehead. Sometimes it may be partly rust-colored because of the minerals in the water in which it stands. The crane has a long neck, long sharp bill, and long legs. Sometimes it will stand on just one leg when resting or feeding. The crane can make many kinds of noises, although its normal sound is a loud  "karrrrooo."  The sandhill crane is especially graceful when flying.	The annual migration of the cranes from their northern, breeding range to their winter home in the south is a famous event. Yearly in October, many people gather for the Festival of the Cranes at Bosque del Apache in New Mexico. The cranes come in large flocks flying in V-formation that land within days of each other.  	These birds live in very large flocks during the winter, but only in pairs in the summer when they are raising their young.  When cranes fly to a feeding place, the whole flock travels together and may cover large sections of the sky. Cranes can fly up to 50 mph, and migrate as far as 3000 miles at an altitude of 1640 feet. Cranes are famous for their complex and graceful body movements, primarily during courtship and at other times, although we are not sure what the purpose is.	Male: 8.7 lbs.; Female: 7.6 lbs.							Sandhill cranes fly with a slow wingbeat.  All cranes fly with their necks streched out and their legs out behind.  Cranes can fly up to 50 mph, and migrate as far as 3000 miles at an altitude of 1640 feet. 	Tracks may be seen very well in mud around wet places.  They are about 6 in. long with three 3 in front and 1 in back.	Cranes fly north for the summer where they nest and raise their young. They return to the same place every time. The courting activities of the cranes are famous and are called the Dance of the Cranes. Before mating, the male and female raise their heads and call to each other, the male once and the female twice. They also flap their wings, leap and kick, as if dancing. The crane nest is made from reeds, rushes, sticks and moss. It is built in or near shallow water on a grassy mound or on other grassy plants. The nest is 3 to 5 feet across and has a small dip in the center.  From 1 to 3 smooth, olive-green eggs  with lavender-brownish spots are laid.   Both male and female incubate the eggs, which take 21 to 30 days to hatch.  The chicks can stand and walk in a few hours. The first chick joins the male to look for food while the female sits on the eggs that are left. Both parents take care of the young once they are all hatched.	Bird	thsandhillcrane.jpg	Davis, B. L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.; Wild wings heading south: Migration: Sandhill crane. (June 23, 1997). [On-line]. Available:http://www.pbs.org/audubon/wildwings/sandhillcrane.html.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	226	Sandhill cranes are diurnal. In the early morning they will leave the roost to fly to feeding places in open fields, then return at night. Sometimes they fly very long distances for food. Cranes migrate in the winter. Their northern breeding range may be in Siberia, Alaska, Northern Canada, the Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes Region, or northern prairies. In the fall, they move south to winter in a more moderate climate. The Rocky Mountain cranes winter in Bosque del Apache, a wildlife preserve in New Mexico.	sandhillcrane.jpg			Length:  34 - 48 in. (86 - 122 cm),  Wingspan: 80 in. (203 cm).	
Great-tailed Grackle		Zanate mexicano		Icteridae	Quiscalus mexicanus	Great-tailed grackles inhabit desert grasslands, marshlands, urban areas and croplands. They are also common in riparian areas like the Rio Grande River Valley,  where they feed in the muddy shallows of rivers.	Mammals like raccoons which may eat the eggs.	Great-tailed grackles are omnivorous. They will eat seeds, fruit, insects, worms, garbage, and even some carrion. 			The male great-tailed grackle is a medium-sized shiny, purplish-black bird with yellow eyes. Females and young grackles are brown with dark eyes and pale brown bellies. Grackles get their name from the male's long tail, which it sometimes spreads behind itself on the ground like a small fan. The great-tailed grackle is a noisy and active bird that is not shy about appearing in human environments.  These birds have a variety of whistles, clucks, and hissing notes.  		Although this grackle was originally a Mexican and South American bird it has begun to extend its range dramatically throughout many regions of the United States west of the Mississippi. Currently, these birds are found almost to the Canadian border, and they are continuing to spread. There are 3 different subspecies, with the one in southern New Mexico being primarily the largest and darkest of the three, called monsoni.								When the great-tailed grackle flies, its tail is held vertical (up and down) rather than horizontal (across).  From the side it looks like a triangle behind the bird with the small end attached to the body.	Great-tailed grackles make 2 inch  tracks with 3 toes in the front and 1 in the back	Great-tailed grackles build nests that are made up of a cup of grass and twigs 2 - 20 feet above the ground.  The female lays 3-5 bluish eggs with brown streaks.  Incubation is done by the female and lasts about 14 days.	Bird	thgreattailedgrackle.jpg	IV the birds: Birds of the Imperial Valley. (June 23, 1997). [On-line]. Available:  http://www. imperial.cc.ca.us/birds/iv-birds.htm.;  Jaramillo, A. (June 23, 1997). The spread of the great grackles. [On-line]. Available:  http://users.quake.net/~alvaro/gtgr.html.;  Terres, J. K. (1980). National Audubon Society encyclopedia of North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  V.M. Howard.  	227	Great-tailed grackles are diurnal.  They are most active during the day. Most are year-round residents, although some in the northernmost ranges may migrate to the south for the winter.	greattailedgrackle.jpg			Length: Male 16 - 17 in. (40 - 43 cm); female 10 -13 in. (25 - 33 cm). 	
Brown Trout	Loch Leven, German Browns			Salmonidae	Salmo trutta	Found in permanent aquatic environments, most often in freshwater streams and lakes. Some lake strains of trout in New England, called "salters," will travel to salt water and come back without their black spots.		Carnivorous (primarily insectivorous). Favorite foods are mayflies and other types of flies, ants, caterpillars, and grasshoppers.  The larger the trout gets, the larger the insects it will eat. Big trout will also eat small fish, and even other species of trout.			The exact coloring of the brown trout varies according to where it lives and what strain of fish it is. It will generally range from brown to olive-brown, with a light belly, which is usually some shade of yellow.  Black spots cover the back, sides, and dorsal fin, and the sides also have red spots outlined with blue. The large adipose fin is tinted orange.  	These trout are very popular sports fish, although they are sometimes  hard to catch. They may frustrate even expert anglers with their ability to evade a lure, and some large browns are simply considered uncatchable. 	Brown trout were introduced into North America through several separate European strains. Predominant were German browns and  Loch Levens from Scotland, two sub-species of the European brown trout. After coming to the United States, these strains intermixed to make a new strain - a hybrid brown trout. Brown trout are wary and also adapt well to new environments. These qualities have made them survivors that have thrived where other trout have been depleted. In areas of New Mexico where the native Gila trout or cutthroat trout have disappeared, brown trout have sometimes been introduced in their places.	From 2 to 5 lbs. (.9 - 2.3 kg) in streams and 12 to 15 lbs. (5.4 - 6.8 kg) in lakes.									Brown trout are fall breeders and will bury their eggs in stream bottoms or lake gravel, in which the female has prepared a hole. The male defends the territory.  The size a fish grows depends on the size of the water habitat it lives in. For example, streams produce smaller fish than lakes.	Fish	thbrowntrout.jpg	Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh - and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Koster, W. J. (1957). Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: 1. Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game. 2. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.  	228	Nocturnal or diurnal. Brown trout are surface feeders who eat either in the early morning, at dusk, or at night. The older, larger fish seem to be more completely nocturnal than the smaller ones. Although they are often wary and not easily caught, trout seem to be more easily hooked at night than in the daytime. 	browntrout.jpg			Length:  From 8 to 40 in. (20 - 102 cm).   	
Common Kingsnake	Desert Kingsnake, Chain Snake, Thunder Snake			Colubridae	Lampropeltis getula	Common kingsnake can live almost anywhere.  In New Mexico they tend to prefer riparian areas and grasslands, but can also be found in desert and open woodlands.		Carnivorous: they like to eat lizards, rodents, birds, and other snakes, even poisonous ones. A kingsnake will kill a large snake by looping several coils around it and squeezing. It then swallows the whole snake from the head down.			This medium-sized reptile is well-known as an eater of rattlesnakes and other poisonous snakes. Kingsnakes come in a variety of colors and patterns, depending on their location. The New Mexico kingsnake is generally black and white, with a pattern of crossbands, stripes, blotches, speckles or a combination of these. The head of this snake is small and rounded and its scales are smooth.	Common kingsnakes are not poisonous, and are in no way harmful to humans. Their ability to eat poisonous snakes and rodents actually makes them very useful. The common kingsnake is usually gentle and makes a good pet, although when annoyed it may vibrate its tail and strike viciously.	Common kingsnakes are immune to snake venom and will eat poisonous snakes, but they seem to prefer the nonvenomous ones if given a choice. They are powerful constrictors and have been known to feed on snakes longer than themselves. Other snakes recognize a snake-eating snake by an odor given off through its skin, and will try to avoid the kingsnake when possible. 										Common kingsnakes mate in early spring. The female lays up to 20 leathery-shelled eggs in spring or summer. The eggs hatch after 40 - 73 days, with the exact time depending  on the air temperature. 	Reptile	thkingsnake.jpg	Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R.C. (1954). Amphibians and reptiles of Western North America. New York: McGraw-Hill.;  Stoops, E.D., & Wright, A. (1992). Snakes and other reptiles of the Southwest. Phoenix, AZ: Golden West.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.  	229	Common kingsnakes are diurnal most of the year, usually  coming out in the early morning and at sundown.  They become nocturnal during the warm summer months. In colder regions kingsnakes have been known to hibernate in the winter.	kingsnake.jpg			Length:  36 - 82 in. (91.4 - 208.3 cm).	
Desert Grassland Whiptail				Teiidae	Cnemidophorus uniparens	Desert grassland whiptails inhabit arid and semiarid grassland and desert scrub. 	Known predators include roadrunners, owls, and loggerhead shrikes.	Carnivorous these whiptails use their good eyesight and forked tongues to locate insects, and they especially favor termites when available. They also eat other invertebrates and eggs.			This slender-bodied reptile has six to seven light stripes placed between dark reddish-brown or black bands.  The throat and belly are white and the chin is blue. Adult desert grassland whiptails have long, olive-green tails, while the babies are born with bright blue tails. Skin is smooth with small round scales on the upper body and rectangular scales along the bottom. These whiptails have well developed legs, and they move in a quick, jerky manner, especially when threatened.		Dessert grassland whiptails can express both male and female - like behavior, especially right before egg-laying time.  The range of this whiptail is getting larger as the desert becomes more scrub and less grass, because it can adapt to either habitat. At the same time, some of the other whiptail species are losing habitat because they need to live in grasses.										These whiptails are unisexual, which is why their species name is uniparens, meaning one parent. Lizards lay 1 - 4 eggs in the summer, which hatch in 7 - 8 weeks. Essentially each young lizard is a clone of its mother.	Reptile	thwhiptail.jpg	Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stoops, E.D., Wright, A. (1992). Snakes and other reptiles of the Southwest. Phoenix, AZ: Golden West.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.  	230	Desert grassland whiptails are diurnal, with most activity either in the early morning or very late afternoon.  These lizards are not very territorial; although they have home ranges for hunting, the ranges overlap. Also the size of the average range of these lizards will change, depending on how much prey is available.	whiptail.jpg			Length: 6 - 9 inches (15 - 23 cm).	
Bullfrog				Ranidae	Rana catesbeiana	Bullfrogs lives mainly in riparian areas with permanent water supplies, such as ponds, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Occasionally, they may be found in temporary waterways, such as large ditches in croplands.	Known predators are snakes, herons, alligators, raccoons, snapping turtles, otters, mink, and fish.	Carnivorous as adults, they primarily eat insects, spiders, crayfish, and other invertebrates. They have also been known to eat mice, small turtles, fish, snakes, birds, and other frogs. Tadpoles are detrivorous. They eat algae and other organic matter in the water.		Minimum 5 - 6 years.	Like all frogs, a bullfrog is an amphibian. It has generally smooth skin with scattered bumpy areas. It is usually a shade of green, but can be brown, yellow, white, or even blue with darker mottling. The male has a yellow throat, while the female's throat is white. The bullfrog can be recognized both by its large size, and by the ridge of skin that extends from  behind its eyes, over its ears, and down to the bottom of its front legs. Except for the last joint of the longest toe, the bullfrog's hind feet are webbed.	Humans hunt bullfrogs for their large legs which are considered a delicacy. They are protected in New Mexico, where hunting season is limited and requires a fishing license. However, bullfrogs are sometimes responsible for wiping out other smaller species of frogs, snakes, and small vertebrates in their territories, and for feeding on the fish in fish farms. Many people feel that they should be more freely hunted because of this.	A bullfrog's loud song sounds as if it is saying "jug-o-rum". Males sing at night during breeding time as a signal that they have established their territories.  These singers tend to be the oldest and largest individuals and they will be very aggressive to other males trying to enter their areas. A female will choose her mate based on the quality of his territory. Bullfrogs hunt in a lazy fashion,  by waiting to see what will come by and catching what they can. They can leap up to three feet in order to catch prey in mid-air, although this is rarely necessary.										Bullfrogs mate from spring to early summer. The female lays 50 - 60 eggs at a time. An average of 11,000 eggs are eventually deposited on the water's surface. Eggs that survive predators, such as leeches, hatch within two weeks during late spring and summer. The tadpoles are olive green and may be 4 - 6 in. long. They may live in the water for as long as 2 years before they become bullfrogs.	Reptile	thbullfrog.jpg	Burton, M., & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of reptiles, amphibians & other cold-blooded animals. London: Octopus Books.;  Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Moler, P. E. (1994). Frogs and toads. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  Tyning, T.F. (1990). Stokes nature guides: A guide to amphibians and reptiles. Boston: Little, Brown.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder. 	231	Generally nocturnal, bullfrogs become active when the temperatures get warm.  They usually spend their nights near the banks of the water or sitting on floating logs, waiting for prey to come by.  During the day, full grown bullfrogs hide under plants or sit in shallow water near the edge. When disturbed, they will splash into the middle of the water for safety. They disappear underwater for the cold months of winter.	bullfrog.jpg			Length: 3.5 - 8 in. (9 - 20 cm).	bullfrogbn.jpg
Great Plains Skink				Scincidae	Eumeces obsotetus	Inhabit open desert grasslands and lower woodlands of desert slopes.   In New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas, they commonly live in riparian areas. 	Birds of prey, snakes, and small mammals such as skunks, badgers, and domestic cats.	Carnivorous, they feed on insects, spiders, and small lizards.		6 - 8 years.	Very short legs and rounded body give this reptile a somewhat snake-like appearance. Great plain skinks are the largest member of the skink family. Newly hatched young are black, with bright blue tails and white spots on the scales and head. By the end of the first hibernation, the skink takes on its adult colors of yellow, greenish-gray, or grayish-brown with irregular black spots on the edges of its scales. This lizard's tail is approximately one and a half times the length of its body. The soles of the front feet have large scales, adapted for digging.	These lizards do not make good pets because they continue to try to bite anyone attempting to handle them, even after being in captivity for a period of time. The bite of an adult can be quite painful.	Great plain skinks have 3 primary methods of defense against predators. The first is its habit of living in burrows. The skink spends most of its time beneath the surface of the desert. When above ground, the skink's yellowish, brownish, or greenish coloration also makes it easy to hide by remaining still in grasses or on rocks. Finally, if caught, great plain skinks are capable of giving a very nasty bite to whatever is holding on to it.										Great plain skinks mate in the spring.  The female lays 7 - 21 eggs in a nest under rocks. Unlike many lizards, the skink guards its eggs for the entire incubation period. The eggs hatch approximately two months later.	Reptile	thskink.jpg	Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stoops, E.D., Wright, A. (1992). Snakes and other reptiles of the Southwest. Phoenix, AZ: Golden West Publishers.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.  	232	Great plain skinks are diurnal, although they may only be active on cool mornings in the shade or immediately after a rainstorm. They are secretive and are seldom seen, often hiding under rocks, logs, or leaves, or in rodent burrows. Like other lizards, they hibernate during the winter.	skink.jpg			Length: 6 - 12 in. (15 - 30 cm).	
Longnose Gar	Billfish			Lepisosteidae	Lepisosteus osseus	Permanent aquatic. Prefers sluggish, weedy rivers and lakes. Occasionally they are found in salt water. In New Mexico, longnoses live in the lower Pecos River and connecting waters.		Carnivorous. Longnose gar mainly eat other fish as well as crustaceans, water insects, worms, frogs, salamanders, insects, and birds.			A longnose gar has a very long, thin, light olive-colored body and pale underbelly. The dorsal and anal fins are close to the tail and all fins are black spotted. The gar's scales do not overlap and they are covered with a special substance that makes the skin almost impossible to penetrate. The longnose gar gets its name from its snout or bill, which is long and narrow like needle-nose pliers. These bills contain very sharp dangerous teeth.	This fish in not well liked by fisherman because it can be extremely destructive to other game fish and damages gill nets. They are often caught for sport but are extremely difficult to catch. Their hard scales are sometimes used to make jewelry. People in Mexico and Seminole Indians eat longnose gar.	Longnose gar have a lung-like air bladder which makes a grunting sound when filling with air. Because of their ability to take in oxygen directly, these fish are difficult to kill and may live for hours out of the water.  Even clubbing and shooting them does not always subdue them. They are also unlike other fish in their bone structure. Their vertebrae grow in a ball-and-socket arrangement like reptiles, rather than convex and concave like most fish.	Up to 50 lbs. (22 kg).									Longnose gar spawn in late spring in shallow water. Each female is accompanied by 3 or 4 males. The eggs are released and stick to rocks and vegetation. The roe (eggs) are believed to be poisonous to some animals.	Fish	thlongnosegar.jpg	Boschung, H.T.Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., & Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.;  Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species.  New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Herald, E. S. (1972). Fishes of North America. New York: Doubleday & Company.;  Koster, W. J. (1957). Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph: William Pflieger.	233	The longnose gar are highly predatory, stalking and catching other fish and animals near the surface.	longnosegar.jpg			Length: To 6 ft.  (183 cm).	
White Crappie	Papermouth Perch; Calico Bass; Sago; Grass Bass; and many others.			Centrarchidae	Pomoxis annularis	White crappies live in permanent aquatic environments, typically in turbid waters of lakes, rivers, and their backwaters. In New Mexico, they are found in streams and in man-made reservoirs and ponds.		Carnivorous. As adults, they eat crustaceans, insects, and other fish. When young, they mostly eat zooplankton.  			The white crappie is a pretty fish but it's not white!  It has eyes that are greenish yellow and its body is several shades of green, blue, and silver, with some dark markings. It has a pointed snout, a lower jaw that protrudes forward, and a large mouth with lots of sharp teeth. During breeding season, the male crappie tends to turn much darker in color, and is sometimes confused with the black crappie.	A popular sporting fish, easy to catch and tasty to eat.	The white crappie has benefited by the introduction of the gizzard shad into the same waters. The young shad provide a steady diet of small fish for the adult crappies.	From 1/2 to 5 lbs. (0.23 - 2.3 kg).									The crappie spawns in spring and summer near a bank. The male makes a circular nest in the gravel under the protection of vegetation. The depth of the water at the spawning site can be anywhere from a few inches to many feet, depending on how clear the water is. After the female spawns, the male aggressively guards the nest and the eggs for about 10 days. The fish mature in about 2 - 3 years.	Fish	thwhitecrappie.jpg	 Colvin, M. (April, 1996). King crappie. [On-line]. Available:  http://www.state.mo.us/conservation/conmag/1996/apr/ap96rath.html.;  Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;   Koster, W. J. (1957). Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Sublette, J. R., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph:  Charles Purkett.	235	Diurnal. In the spring, summer, and fall, they search for food in shallow water close to the shore. During mid-day in summer and early fall, they hide under the protection of boulders and vegetation or just stay in deep water. In the winter, they are basically inactive and often remain in deeper waters.	whitecrappie.jpg			Length: 12 - 20 in.   (30 - 51 cm)	
American Eel				Anguillidae	Anguilla rostrata	Eels are very widespread throughout the country.  During most of their lives, they remain in permanent fresh water habitats, such as muddy rivers, creeks, lakes and bays. They return to the ocean for breeding. 	Fish eating birds and mammals, especially otters.	Carnivorous and detrivorous. They eat crustaceans, fish (either dead or alive), insect larvae, and refuse of any kind.		20 - 50 years.	The American eel has a very long, slender body similar to a snake's.  When young, its color is a yellowish-olive, but as it matures it darkens to a shiny black or bronze color. Right before it begins its final journey back to the sea to spawn, it turns silvery and its eyes grow much larger. A unique feature of the eel is its long fin. This starts about 1/3 of the way down the body and continues all the way to the end, then around the bottom, ending up underneath where it started. The eel has scales that are deeply embedded into the body.	Although it is a nutritious fish and eaten fresh or smoked throughout most of the world, eel is not popular among people in the United States. This is probably because of the way it looks. Eels have been used to represent the characters in many "sea monster" tales. Eels have also been an object of human curiosity from the time of Aristotle because of their mysterious migration and breeding habits.	An eel resembles a snake, but it's really a true, bony fish with a well developed jaw and a single pair of gill openings. Eels do 60% of their breathing through their skin, so they can spend short periods of time on land, as well as in the water. During the long period of their migration to spawning grounds in the Sargasso Sea, (learn more about this in the "breeding" section), eels do not eat.	Up to 16 1/2 lbs (7.5 kg).									The breeding cycle of these eels is very mysterious. What is known is that they begin their lives in the Sargasso Sea in the Mid-Atlantic near Bermuda. The larvae, called leptocephali, look like transparent ribbons floating in the water. Eventually these become elvers, or young eels, which make their way out of the ocean and into fresh water. They end up in streams, rivers, ponds, or lakes. Many make their way into the Southwest by entering the Rio Grande where it drains into the Gulf of Mexico.  After many years in a fresh water environment (usually 7 - 12 years but up to 40 years in some cases), the adult eels  journey back to the breeding grounds in the Sargasso Sea. There they spawn a new generation of eels who begin the cycle all over again. The adults do not return to fresh water, and seem to die in the ocean after the breeding takes place.	Fish	thamericaneel.jpg	Boschung, H.T.Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., Caldwell,M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Fishes, Whales, & Dolphins. New York: Knopf.;  Burton, M., & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Herald E. S. (1972). Fishes of North America. New York: Doubleday & Company, Inc.;  Smith, C.L. (1994). Fish watching: An outdoor guide to freshwater fishes. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.; Photograph: John F. Scarola, Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game.	236	The American eel is nocturnal, lying buried in sand or gravel at the bottom of the water during most of the daylight hours. Eels feed primarily at night and don't always stay in the water to do so. Female eels have the capability  of leaving their rivers and traveling short distances to feed in ponds or very damp land areas.	americaneel.jpg			Length: 2 - 4 ft. 11 in.  (61 to 148 cm).  Females can grow twice the length of males.	
Bullhead Minnow				Cyprinidae	Pimephales vigilax	Live in permanent aquatic environments, such as the pools and backwaters of rivers and streams. Also found in reservoirs.	Any fish that is bigger!	Omnivorous and detrivorous. They mainly feed on or near the bottom of the water and eat larvae and  invertebrates.  They also eat organic waste.			The bullhead minnow has silvery sides and belly, with an olive colored back.  The scales are outlined with black and there is a dark spot on the dorsal fin. Its snout is short and rounded.	The bullhead minnow is not considered a "game" fish, but is raised in fish farms for use as bait.	The minnow family of fish is the largest in the United States.										The bullhead minnow will spawn in the spring and summer in shallow water with slow or no current. The male builds the nest beneath a solid object such as a log or plant. Eggs are laid under the nest, and the males guard them until they hatch.	Fish	thbullheadminnow.jpg	Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: Dr. William L. Pflieger.	237	Bullhead minnows travel in "schools" of fish along the smooth bottom, close to the shore line, looking for food.	bullheadminnow.jpg			Length: Up to 2.6 in. (6.6 cm)	
Longear Sunfish	Red-bellied Bream			Centrarchidae	Lepomis megalotis	Permanent aquatic. Prefers the pools of streams with moderate current over sand, gravel, or rocks. Will also live in reservoirs and lakes. In New Mexico, they are primarily found in the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers.		Carnivorous. The adults primarily eat insects, but occasionally  eat small fish. The young eat a variety of invertebrates, fish eggs, and algae. 			The longear sunfish is a very colorful fish with orange and blue streaks on the cheeks, a brownish to olive green back, with spots in shades of yellow and green. It has a reddish orange belly.  Even the fins are colorful with green and orange spots. The sunfish's most notable feature is its large colorful ear flaps.  	Longear sunfish are popular with fisherman, although less than some other New Mexico fish. Sometimes sunfish are used in aquariums, although the bigger ones start fights with other fish!	Longear sunfish prefer to make their nests far away from other fish nests and traffic. Minnows sometimes lay their eggs in sunfish's nests. It is not known why, but they seem to be attracted to the male sunfish's method of nest-building.	About 1/2 lb. (.23 kg)									Spawning occurs in the summer.  A male makes a shallow, circular depression on the sandy bottom, and then grunts to attract the female to the nest. After the female spawns the eggs, she leaves and the male stays to guard and care for the eggs until they hatch in about 7 days.	Fish	thlongearsunfish.jpg	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., & Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.;  Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Paxton, J. R., & Eschmeyer, W. N. (1994). Encyclopedia of fishes. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).  North American Wildlife. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: Charles Purkett.  	238	Except during breeding, the longear sunfish leads a solitary life, searching for food.  	longearsunfish.jpg			Length: 9 in. (23 cm)	
Mosquitofish	Livebearer			Poeciliidae	Gambusia affinis	Permanent aquatic. The mosquitofish can be found in several habitats because it is very adaptable.  It prefers shallow water that has lots of vegetation, and often lives in the still waters of pools, ponds, irrigation ditches, lakes, and sluggish streams.		Primarily carnivorous. It eats insect larvae, crustaceans, and fish fry, including its own. It will also eat algae.		1 - 2 years	The mosquitofish has a tan to olive colored body with a blue sheen. There are black spots on the sides, and the dorsal & caudel fins. The belly is yellowish. During the breeding period, females have a dark spot on the belly. Its head is flat, its lower jaw protrudes, and it has a dark line below the eyes. Males are much smaller than females. 	The mosquitofish has been introduced into New Mexico to control mosquitoes.  Its perfect for the job because it can eat its own weight in mosquito larvae everyday!  However, it also eats other mosquito-eating fish, eliminating those species and taking over the area in which it lives. Mosquitofish are sometimes used in aquariums, but this is often a problem because they may become aggressive towards other fish and they will eat their own young.	Can survive in stagnant water by obtaining oxygen from the surface. It does not like cold water, and will try to swim to warmer waters in the winter.  										Mating occurs from March to October.  Like its cousin the guppy,  the young of the mosquitofish are born live in about 5 - 6 weeks. This is unusual among fish, and accounts for its nickname, livebearer. The average number of mosquitofish born at one time is usually 40 - 60, but up to 226 have been reported. The female may produce 4 or 5 broods before dying during her second year.	Fish		MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).  North American Wildlife. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  .	239	Spends its time eating as much mosquito larvae as it can find.				Length: Female: 3/4 - 2 1/2 in. (1.9 - 6.3 cm)  Max 6 in. (15 cm).    Males: 1 1/8 in. (3 cm.)	
Common Crow	American Crow	Cuervo		Corvidae	Corvus brachyrhynchos	Common crows inhabit mountain forests, croplands, open woodlands, riparian areas, and  desert fringes.	Hawks, owls, foxes.	Common crows are omnivorous. These birds will readily change their diet to adapt to what food is available. A crow's diet is usually about 25% animal matter, including insects, crustaceans, bird eggs, small mammals, reptiles, and carrion. The other 75% of the diet comes from plants (often corn) but also nuts, fruits and other crops.		Some crows have lived over 20 years in captivity, but probably usually live less than 5 years in the wild.	Common crows are medium to large-sized birds. They are very easy to pick out because they are totally black - even the beak, legs, and feet are black. Their eyes are very dark brown. The beaks are strong and large, and their tails are square at the bottom. Crows are also known for their characteristic call, which sounds like a loud "caw" repeated several times. 	Crows are one of the most easily recognized, and also one of the most commonly disliked birds. Farmers consider them to be pests because they are known for stealing food from the fields. In fact, that is where we get the idea for a scarecrow, which is a human-like figure that is put up in a field to scare away birds. Corn growers, in particular, suffer big losses because of crows, and sometimes resort to poisoning, shooting, or even using explosives to kill them.  Many do not realize, however, that crows also eat a lot of harmful insects that attack the same fields, compensating for some of the damage that they cause. 	Crows are known to be very intelligent birds.  Those raised as pets can sometimes learn to imitate human voices like parrots do.  Laboratory studies of crows have shown that they learn very quickly, and use their intelligence to adapt very well to human development of nature. 								Crows are good flyers, easily flying 20-30 miles per hour.		Crows build their nests of twigs in trees or shrubs, and line them with softer strands of bark. 4-6 eggs are laid, which range in color from off white to bluish-white, to greenish-white, with brown or gray blotches. Both the males and females incubate the eggs by sitting on them, and the eggs hatch about 18 days after being laid. 	Bird	thcommoncrow.jpg	Bent, A. C. (1964).  Life histories of North American jays, crows and titmice. New York: Dover Publications.;  Reader's Digest.  (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Photograph: Brian Schmidt.
	241	Common crows are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.  During the summer, crows live in pairs with their mates. In the fall, large numbers of crows often roost together, sometimes numbering into the thousands. 	commoncrow.jpg			Length: 17 -  21 in.(43 - 53 cm).	
Little Blue Heron	Blue Egret	Garceta azul		Ardeidae	Egretta caerulea	Little blue herons inhabit riparian areas near ponds, marshes, and small lakes.		Little blue herons are carnivorous.  They eat small fish, crayfish, amphibians, and insects.			The little blue heron is a medium sized bird (but fairly small for a heron) with a long neck and long, skinny, dark-colored legs. The head and neck are purplish, and the rest of the feathers are bluish gray. Plumage of immature birds is totally white. When the bird reaches maturity, their feathers are molted and replaced by blue ones. The little blue heron usually holds its neck in an s-shape, instead of being extended to its full length.  Little blue herons are usually silent.  They squawk when alarmed and croak, grunt, and scream at the nest site.	These birds are helpful to people because they often feed on insects such as grasshoppers and locusts that destroy crops.	Little blue herons hunt by walking slowly through shallow water or grassy areas looking for food. When they see something appetizing, they quickly snatch it up with their beaks. These herons are quite shy, and hide from people.								Little blue herons are graceful flyers.  Their heads are drawn into their shoulders and their legs trail behind them. They use their 40 inch wingspan to effortlessly glide for long distances.		Little blue herons build nests that are made of loosely woven twigs, and are built in low trees. Eggs are a pale, bluish-green color, and are usually laid in clutches of 3 - 6. Both parents incubate the eggs until the baby birds hatch 21 - 24 days later. Both also help feed the hatchlings. The young little blue herons learn to fly in about a month.	Bird	thlittleblueheron.jpg	Hancock, J., & Kushlan, J. (1984). The herons handbook. New York: Harper and Row.;  Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  Photograph: Brian Schmidt. 	243	These birds breed from the Gulf of California to the Gulf of Mexico, and up the Atlantic coast to Massachusetts. In the fall, the northern birds fly south to Florida. Some even fly further to South America and spend their winters there. These birds are rarely seen in New Mexico, but sometimes found in Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.	littleblueheron.jpg			Length: 25 - 29 in. (63 - 74 cm).  Wingspan: 41 in. (104 cm).	
Desert Shrimp	Tadpole Shrimp (sometimes called "Fairy Shrimp", although this term is probably better applied to Brine Shrimp and their close relatives).				Triops longicaudatus.	Ephemeral ponds, puddles and temporary irrigation ditches in agricultural areas.	Fish, tadpoles.	Omnivorous. They eat algae, bacteria, fungi and other small growing things in ponds and puddles.		12 - 18 days.  Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.Life cycle that depends on the wet and dry periods common in the desert. The shrimp needs water to live, and dies when its puddle dries up. The eggs remaining after the puddle disappears need to dry out completely before they can hatch.	Desert shrimp are crustaceans, like lobsters, crabs and ocean shrimp. Fairy shrimp, tadpole shrimp, and clam shrimp are three of the five varieties that live in the Chihuahuan Desert. The clam shrimp could fit on a thumbnail while the fairy and tadpole shrimp are 1 - 2 inches long.  Each species has a different type of segmented body and exoskeleton. The shell of the clam shrimp is clam shaped. These shrimp breathe from their feet, since that is where their gills are located.		These shrimp have made some unusual adaptations to be able to survive in the desert. For example, the eggs of tadpole shrimp and clam shrimp cannot hatch until they have dried out for at least 30 days. In fact, some have been known to hatch after being dry for 10 years! Sometimes the eggs are transported to other areas by the wind or by getting caught in the fur or feet of animals. That way if a temporary pool stays dry for too long, the eggs can be hatched in a new area of the desert. 										Desert shrimp have adapted to the desert environment so well that their life cycle and breeding routine actually need periods of drought. During the short time when there is water in its home puddle, the tadpole shrimp will lay eggs many times. The shrimp dies when the water evaporates away, but the eggs will hatch after the next heavy rain if they have had enough time to dry out. Often only some of the eggs will hatch after the first rain storm. That way if all the puddles dry out before the young have a chance to complete their life cycles, there will be a second hatching after the next rainstorm.  Each species of desert shrimp has some special method for breeding. Clam shrimp incubate fertilized eggs in a special brood chamber on their backs for 18 hours. Other species have no females, but instead have hermaphrodites, which can either breed alone or mate with the males.That way if a single shrimp is in a temporary pond, it can still breed to continue the species.	Insect	thtadpoleshrimp.jpg	 Zucker, N. Professor, Dept. of Biology,  New Mexico State University. Personal communications. July 12, 1996 & August 15, 1996.  Pennak, R. W. (1978). Freshwater invertebrates of the United States, 2nd ed. John Wiley & Sons, New York.;  Photograph:  Naida Zucker.	244	Diurnal.	tadpoleshrimp.jpg				
Common Snipe				Scolopacidae	Gallingo gallingo	Common snipes inhabit riparian areas near freshwater, including marshes, ponds, and streams.		Common snipes are primarily carnivorous. They eat insects (including aquatic ones), crustaceans, worms, and snails. Sometimes they will also eat seeds. 			The common snipe is a medium-sized wading bird, with a long tail and a very long bill. The lower chest, belly and undertail is white, and the rest of the body is light brown with streaks of dark brown. The bill, legs and feet are greenish-gray, and the bill has a black tip.  The voice of this bird is a sharp, rasping "scaip" sound. 		These birds feed by probing soft ground with their sensitive bills, looking for worms or insects below the surface. Their bills are flexible near the tip, and so they can grab underground prey, and bring it to the surface where it is quickly eaten. 								Snipes are strong but erratic flyers.  They tend to zig-zag irregularly as they fly. 		Common snipes breed during the spring, making their nest in a depression in a clump of grass. They line it with leaves and dead grass. The eggs are laid in groups of 3 - 6, and are yellowish or greenish-brown with dark splotches. Both parents tend to the eggs and to the baby birds, which hatch  20 days after the eggs are laid.	Bird	thcommonsnipe.jpg	Knopf, A. A.  (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Alfred, A. Knopf.;  Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  Reilly, E. M ., Jr. (1968). The Audubon illustrated handbook of American birds. New York: McGraw Hill.;  Photograph: Brian Schmidt.	245	Common snipes are diurnal.  They seek food early in the morning and in late afternoon, and seem to be more active on cloudy days.  These birds breed in both North America and Eurasia, and spend winters in South America or Africa. Some of these birds migrate into New Mexico for the winter.	commonsnipe.jpg			Length: 10.5 - 12.5 in. (26 - 29 cm).	
Canada Goose	Honker	Ganso canadiense		Anatidae	Branta canadensis	Canada geese are wide-ranging riparian residents. They  live anywhere near shallow water having aquatic vegetation, including woodlands, prairie and even semi-deserts. They can be found in North America from northern Canada to northern Mexico.	Coyotes, wolves, golden eagles, owls, and sometimes foxes.	Canada geese are omnivorous. They prefer aquatic plants, grains, and grasses, and small animals such as frogs, small fish, worms, and mollusks.			The Canada goose is a large bird with a brown body, and a black head, neck, tail, bill, and feet. The throat, rump, and cheeks are white. The bill is flattened, and the feet are webbed, allowing for efficient swimming. The call of these birds is a loud, characteristic "honk."		These birds are usually found on or near freshwater. They are good swimmers, and can dive underwater to feed on water plants and small animals. They sometimes migrate in groups as large as 50,000 geese! They can be seen across the sky in large V-shaped formations.	About 8 lbs.							Canada geese are strong flyers that travel long distances when migrating.		Canada geese often mate for life. Nests are usually in a depression in the ground, or in a mound of grass. 4 - 10 white eggs are laid, which are incubated by the female, with the male close-by. Baby geese hatch 28 - 30 days after the eggs are laid, and can swim and dive almost immediately after hatching. The young birds eventually learn to fly when they are 60 - 75 days old.	Bird	thcanadagoose.jpg	Bellrose, F. C. (1976). Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.;  Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: The University of New Mexico.;  Photograph: Brian Schmidt. 	246	These geese are seen throughout New Mexico during the fall and spring migratory seasons.	canadagoose.jpg			Length: 22 - 26 in. (56 - 66 cm) for small races, and 35 45 in. (89 - 114 cm) for large races.	
Golden Shiner				Cyprinidae	Notemigonus crysoleucas	Permanent aquatic environments.  Golden shiners are found in lakes, quiet streams and rivers of New Mexico, especially in Caballo Lake. They prefer waters that have an abundance of vegetation.	Larger fish.	Primarily carnivorous. They like small crustaceans and insects. They will also eat algae.			The golden shiner, a type of minnow, has a dark olive or golden colored back and lighter colored sides. There is a pretty silvery reflection all over! Its belly is yellowish-silver, and a breeding male has orange on its pelvic and anal fins. The shiner's mouth is small and its eyes are large. This fish's belly  is different from that of other minnows because it has a ridge, called a keel, which is not crossed by any scales. 	These fish were introduced into New Mexico as bait for catching game fish. Shiners are now the most common bait fish in the United States, and are often raised in large fish hatcheries.	Golden shiners usually swim in "schools" near shorelines. They are an important food source for some larger fish in their habitats. However, they can be harmful to native fish.										In spring and summer, females will deposit their eggs on aquatic vegetation. The eggs will stick there until they hatch 2 - 4 days later. 	Fish	thgoldenshiner.jpg	 Koster, W. J. (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1985).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: John F. Scarola, Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game. 	247		goldenshiner.jpg			Length: 5 - 12 in.  (12.7 - 30 cm)	
Gadwall	Gray Duck	Pato Ruidosa		Anatidae	Anas strepera	Gadwalls inhabit riparian areas near shallow, quiet freshwater lakes and ponds. They are widely distributed throughout North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia in riparian areas, and are occasionally found in irrigated croplands and near ephemeral lakes, as well.	Red fox, mink, weasel, great horned owl, hawks, coyotes.	Gadwalls are primarily herbivorous, although they may also eat insects. Their favorite foods are water plants, grasses, grains, and nuts.			Gadwalls are medium-sized ducks with dark, flattened bills and yellowish, webbed feet. Males are grayish in color, with a brown head and neck, black feathers above the tail, and a white stripe on each wing. Females are more drab in appearance, and are a dull brownish color all over, except for a white stripe on each wing. During the summer, the males lose their more colorful plumage and look very much like females.  The voice of the gadwall is a duck-like quack.  It also utters "kack-kacks," and whistles. 	Gadwalls are known to hunters as the "Gray Duck," it is a popular gamebird and is abundant in winter in southern marshes.	Gadwalls are related to mallards, and they have the widest range of any duck, breeding almost throughout the North Temperate Zone.	About 2 lbs.							Gadwalls are strong, but not particularly agile flyers. 		In the spring, these birds build a nest in a depression in grass or underneath bushes. The nest is lined with soft feathers and 7 - 15 white eggs are laid there. The female incubates them alone, and the young hatch 25 - 28 days later. The female raises the young, and they can be seen following her around for 50 - 60 days until they are grown.	Bird	thgadwell.jpg	Bellrose, F. C. (1976). Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.;  Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.; Photograph: Brian Schmidt.   
	248	Gadwalls are diurnal. They are good swimmers, and spend much of their time during the day on the water feeding on plants at or under the surface. These birds migrate south in the fall to the southern United States and Mexico, and return to their breeding areas in the spring. During the migratory season, some of them reside along the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico.  	gadwell.jpg			Length: 18 - 23 in. (46 - 58 cm).	
Mallard	Greenhead	Pato de collar		Anatidae	Anas platyrhynchus	Mallards can be found at or near any shallow body of fresh water.   Mallards can also be found from northern Mexico to northern Canada in riparian areas and croplands.	Foxes, minks, weasels, great-horned owls, hawks, coyotes.	Mallards are omnivorous. They eat aquatic plants, grasses, grains, berries, and some insects.			Mallards are medium-sized ducks with stocky bodies and broad wings. Their bills are yellowish or orange and flattened, and their feet are webbed. Males have a metallic green head and a chestnut brown chest, separated by a white ring. The rest of their feathers are grayish. Females are a rather drab mottled brown color, and both sexes have a design on their wings consisting of a bright blue band, bordered by black and white stripes. From early summer to early fall, the males have the same coloration as the females.  The mallards' call is the familiar "quack" that people usually associate with ducks.
		Every duck is waterproof because it has an oil gland near its tail.  In an action called preening, the duck will stroke this oil gland with its bill and smear the oil all over its feathers.  The feathers will not get wet because oil and water don't mix!	2.5 lbs.							Mallards can fly long distances with their broad wings, but are not especially agile flyers.		These birds build nests on the ground made of dead grass and reeds. The female plucks soft feathers from herself which she uses to line the nest. Typically, 8 - 10 greenish white eggs are laid, which the female sits on until the ducklings hatch 23 - 29 days later. The female alone cares for the young, and leads them to the water almost as soon as they hatch. The baby ducks can swim almost immediately, but do not learn to fly until they are about 50 - 60 days old.	Bird	thmallards.jpg	Bellrose, F. C. (1976). Ducks, geese, and swans of North America. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.; Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  Goldin, A. (1965). Ducks don't get wet. New York: Thomas Y. Crowell.;  Photograph: Brian Schmidt. 
	249	Mallards are diurnal.  They spend much of their day feeding on plants on or near the water. In North America, these birds spend their winters in the southern United States and northern Mexico, and breed during the winter in the northern United States and Canada. During the migratory and winter seasons, they are commonly seen in New Mexico along the Rio Grande and Pecos Rivers.	mallards.jpg			Length: 16 - 27 in. (41 - 68 cm).	
Tree Swallow	White-bellied Swallow	Golondrina bicolor		Hirundinidae	Iridoprocne bicolor	Tree swallows inhabit riparian areas located in deserts. They are widely distributed throughout North America.	Falcons	Tree swallows are primarily carnivorous. They mostly eat flying insects such as beetles and flies, but occasionally eat berries and seeds.			The tree swallow is a small, slim bird with metallic blue-black or green-black plumage above, and a pure white underside. The tail is slightly forked, and the beak is short and flattened. Its call is pleasing to hear, and sounds like "silip" repeated rapidly.	In recent years, the numbers of these birds has declined in some areas, and this decline has been blamed on the use of 
pesticides.	During the breeding season (spring), these birds stay in pairs and will defend their territory from other tree swallows. Outside the breeding season, these birds are more social, and often form small to large flocks.  These birds are very sportive and cheerful.  They enjoy chasing feathers and other windborne objects. 	20g							Tree swallows are very quick and agile flyers.  They need to be, since they catch most of their food while flying.		Tree swallows nests are a cup of grass and feathers found in deserted woodpecker holes, other tree cavities, or birdhouses.  The female lays 4 - 6 white eggs and incubates them alone. The young hatch 13 - 16 days later, and are able to fly only 16 - 20 days after hatching.	Bird	thtreeswallow.jpg	Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM:  The University of New Mexico Press.;  Turner, A. (1989). A handbook to the swallows and martins of the world. London: Christopher Helm.;  Photograph: Brian Schmidt.
	250	Tree swallows generally migrate south for the winter to areas between the southern United States and Central America. Their northern breeding range is from Alaska through the Southern United States. During the fall and spring migrations, these birds are often seen throughout  New Mexico. 	treeswallow.jpg			Length: 5 - 6 in. (13 - 15 cm).	
Ring-billed Gull		Gaviota pico anillado		Laridae	Larus delawarensis	Ring-billed gulls commonly live in riparian areas near lakes, ponds, rivers and sand flats.  They  occasionaly  visit temporary aquatic environments, such as ephemeral lakes.		Ring-billed gulls are carnivorous. They eat large insects, worms, mice, fish, and eggs of other birds.			The ring-billed gull is a white bird with black wing tips and yellow legs and feet. The bird gets its name from a black ring around its bill near the tip.    	Farmers in Canada and the norther United States are glad to see the ring-bills return in the spring to their breeding grounds.  They are great insect-eaters on newly plowed fields--and for grasshoppers in particular.     	Ring-billed gulls often nests in very large colonies; as many as 85,000 pairs nest on a single island in Lake Ontario.  								These gulls are light and graceful flyers, and can glide for long distances with a good breeze.		Ring-billed gulls build nests in the spring on the shores of freshwater lakes and rivers.  They are quite social, and often breed together in large numbers in favorable locations. The nests are made of twigs and dried grass and rest right on the ground. The eggs can be many different colors - from yellow to pink to green, and they have brown speckles. The gull lays 2-3 eggs which hatch 21 days later. 	Bird	thringbilleddove.jpg	Bent, A. C. (1947). Life histories of North American gulls and terns. New York: Dover Publications.; Ligon, J. S. (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.; Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  .	253	Ring-billed gulls spend their spring and summer breeding season mostly in southern Canada.  They migrate south for the winter, living in areas from the Great Lakes down into Mexico. These birds are often seen along the Rio Grande near Albuquerque, New Mexico and at Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge.	ringbilleddove.jpg			Length: 18 - 21 in. (45 - 53 cm).	
Desert Blister Beetle	Inflated Beetle	Cantarida		Meloidae (Blister Beetles)	Cysteodemus wislizeni	Desert surface.	Very few because of poisonous defensive chemicals produced by the beetles. 	Herbivorous as an adult. It eats nightshade, aster, Arizona poppy. Other species eat different  plants. Many of the larvae are insectivorous and feed on grasshopper eggs.		One year.Metamorphosis complete. The stages of metamorphosis are egg, active young larva, grub-like later larva, pupa, adult (this type of complete metamorphosis is called hypermetamorphosis).	This insect is a flightless dark metallic purple to blue beetle with enlarged (inflated) wing covers (elytra). The wing covers, which are not used for flight, probably trap air to help insulate body organs, preventing overheating. The desert blister beetle may be seen wandering over the surface of the desert. 	Blister beetles have been used in folk medicine. However, they produce a dangerous chemical and can cause death if eaten.	These beetles produce a blistering substance (cantharidin) as part of their defense system, and should not be handled. In fact this substance is so potent that blister beetles of some species can poison horses and other livestock if they are baled with hay fed to the animals.

										Mostly in summer.	Insect	tncysteodemus.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F. G., Enns, W. R. and Parker, F. H.  (1966). The meloidae of Arizona. (Tech. Bulletin 175). Tucson, AZ: The University of Arizona, Agricultural Experiment Station.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.   	254	Diurnal.	cysteodemus.jpg			Length: 1 - 1.5 cm.	
Devil Scorpion	Striped-Tailed Scorpion	Alacran, Escorpion		Vaejovidae (one family of Scorpions)	Vaejovis spinigerus and V. coahuilae	Plains at the foothills of desert slopes and mesas.	Pallid bats, burrowing owls, grasshopper mice, some lizards, other scorpions.	Insectivorous. It eats other arthropods.		May live for several years. Scorpions give birth to live young , which the mother carries on its back until the first molt.  Metamorphosis simple- immature stages, adult.	The devil scorpion is a relatively slender, yellowish arachnid with crab-like claws and a stinger at the end of its long tail. The tail has four pencil-thin dark stripes on the underside. Vaejovis spinigerus is the larger of the two species. However, V. coahuilae looks much like its larger relative, except for its size and the fact that its last few tail segments are thinner. Scorpions have 2 unusual comb-like appendages, called pectines, underneath their bodies near the last pair of legs. Although scientists are not completely sure of their function, they now think that they are used like sensory organs to feel vibrations. If true, this would be an advantage when hunting in the dark. Mouthparts chewing-sucking.	There are about 20 species of scorpion in New Mexico, only one of which, the Arizona bark scorpion, is dangerous to humans. That scorpion's sting can cause convulsions, paralysis, and death. Most other scorpion stings cause only a small swelling, like a wasp sting.	 Scorpions are very ancient, dating back to the Silurian Period (400 million years ago.) They once were aquatic and apparently had compound eyes. However, they are well adapted to living in the desert because of their hard, waxy, multi-layered cuticle and nocturnal habits. This helps them retain moisture and avoid dessication.										Summer.	Insect	tnvaespin.jpg	 Polis, G. A. (Ed.). (1990)  The biology of scorpions. Stanford University Press.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service; 
 Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.	255	They are nocturnal, and most active during the summer. They live under rocks or in other shelters, where they remain during most daylight hours. 	vaespin.jpg			Length: 4 - 7.5 cm. as adults.	
Sonoran Bumble Bee	Humble Bee	Abejon, abejorro, zangano.		Apidae (Honey Bees)	Bombus sonorus	Sonoran bumble bees can be seen buzzing around roadsides, fields, and clearings.  This species is found in several  habitats, including desert grasslands and desert shrubland, riparian areas, open woodlands, and in forest clearnings.	Skunks.	Sonoran bumble bees are nectivorous.  They eat pollen and honey.		Most sonoran bumble bees live for one season, except for the mating queen who lives for two seasons. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages, pupa, adult.	Sonoran bumble bees are large fuzzy yellow and black insects that buzz as they fly. Some mountain species have red hairs on their upper surface. Mouthparts chewing-lapping.	Bumble bees were once said to be in the chain of beings that supported the British Empire because they pollinated clover, which fed the cattle, that fed the British Army!	Bumble bees are closely related to honey bees but are much larger and live in much smaller colonies with fewer worker bees. Like honey bees they have pollen baskets on their hind legs and they make honey, but not enough to be economically valuable.  Although they can be good pollinators, most species are not easily manipulated by man for crop pollination.  <a href="images/insect/sonbumble.jpg">Bee on Flower</a>										Young queens who have matured during the prior season mate in the fall. They winter over and then begin building new bumble bee colonies in the spring. Since all the worker bees from the previous colonies have died during the winter, the young queens take care of the first hatching bees. Once new worker bees have matured, they assume the care-taking duties.	Insect	tnbumblebee.jpg	Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred
 common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University,
 Cooperative Extension Service.; Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.  	256	Sonoran bumble bees are diurnal.  They are most active during the day from spring to fall.	bumblebee.jpg			Length: 1.7 - 2.7 cm.	
Bumble Bee Robber Fly				Asilidae (Robber Flies)	Mallophora fautrix	Desert grassland and open desert.	Very few -  possibly birds, other robber flies.	Insectivorous. They eat other flying arthropods.		Annual. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (maggot), pupa, adult.	Although these insects are actually flies, they look like bumble bees because they are usually black in color with yellow hairs on the back. They are medium sized, somewhat elongated and have two large compound eyes with a "saddle" between them. Their mouthparts are distinctive in that they are pointed and beak-like. Mouthparts sucking.		These are among the most voracious predators of the insect world, often tackling prey larger than themselves, usually in the air.										Mostly in spring to fall.	Insect	thbumbbeerobfly.jpg	 Arnett, R. H., Jr. (1985). American Insects. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	257	Robber flies are diurnal. 	bumbbeerobfly.jpg			Length: 12.5 mm.	
White Bass	Barfish; Striper.			Percichthyidae  	Morone chrysops  	Permanent aquatic , fresh-water environments  such as  lakes, reservoirs, and large streams and rivers.		Carnivorous. When young, they eat insects, zooplankton, and crustaceans. As adults, they feed on these same things but also eat other fish, such as threadfin shad, gizzard shad, and minnows.		3 years	The white bass has silvery sides with dark horizontal stripes, a darker back, and a white belly. It has a large mouth and a lower jaw that protrudes forward. Its dorsal fin is broken into two distinct parts, one soft and one spiny.	The white bass is a popular sports fish and also good to eat. It's often stocked into lakes and streams, and enters the rivers of New Mexico from the reservoirs.	 White bass travel in "schools". They prefer to swim in deep, open waters. They come up to the surface to feed, attacking "schools" of minnows or a group of gizzard shad, causing a lot of commotion in the water! This habit of feeding helps keep the population of gizzard shad and minnows under control. However, if enough food is available, the white bass themselves may then overpopulate a lake.	Up to 5 lbs. (2.27 kg)									Spawning occurs from early March to May, either in mid-water or at the surface, depending on the habitat. Males move upstream to a place with gravel or rocks on the bottom and a moving current. Females soon follow.  If they live in lakes or reservoirs, they will get closer to the shore where there is some wave action. Then, accompanied by several males, the females release their eggs. These eggs hatch in 3 - 6 days. White bass have a strong "homing" instinct toward a specific spawning area. The young grow quickly, and reach full size in about 3 years. 	Fish	thwhitebass.jpg	 Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish: A field book of fresh- and saltwater species. New York: Book Division, Times Mirro Magazines.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque:University of New Mexico Press.;  Texas Parks and Wildlife. (September 25, 1996). Fishing: White bass. [On-line]. Available: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fish/infish/species/wtb/wtb.htm.;  Photograph: William Pflieger.	258	Can be either nocturnal or diurnal.  Feeding usually takes place in the early morning, late in the afternoon, at dusk, or at night. During the hottest part of the day, they usually remain in deep water. 	whitebass.jpg			Length: 8  -  18 in.  (20.3 - 45.7 cm) 	
Guppy	Millions Fishes;  Livebearer;  Livebearing Topminnows.	Olomina		Poeciliidae	Poecilia  reticulata	Permanent aquatic. Prefers still or slow-moving water in warm regions, such as brackish waters, streams, pools, and wells. Also found in urban areas in many tropical fish aquariums. May  be seen in croplands in large irrigation ditches.	It's own mother! Larger fish.	Omnivorous. Its  favorite food is insect larvae, but the guppy also eats algae, small crustaceans, eggs and the young of other fishes.		Usually 2 - 3 years.  Some have lived up to 7 years.	The female guppy is larger than the male, but not as pretty.  She is grayish-brown with whitish sides. A pregnant female has a distinct black spot behind the abdomen.  The male is olive-green to brown on its upper body and a shimmery metallic green and blue on the sides. Both have a long feathery tail. Baby guppy's are called fry.  The guppy has been bred by tropical fish lovers and now comes in many brilliant colors.	The name guppy comes from Reverend Robert John Lechmere Guppy, who first recorded these beautiful, little fish in Trinidad in 1866. Although native to the Caribbean and south through Brazil, the guppy is now found throughout most of North and South America. It is an important fish to human beings because its mosquito-eating habits help to control the spread of diseases such as malaria. It is also a favorite aquarium fish because of its pretty colors, lively behavior, and tolerance for low temperature and confined spaces. 	The guppy's nickname, "millions fish",  comes from the fact that it breeds very quickly and very often, creating an environment with "millions" of guppies. When a guppy is born, it swims upward to the surface and takes a gulp of air. This expands its swim bladder so that it can begin to swim normally!  Guppies also have a sensitive area in the bottom of each eye that help them to quickly see food at the surface, such as mosquito larvae.     										The male guppy grows to about 1 inch and then stops. At this time he will begin to court and then mate with the female. The young are born alive, which is why the guppy is sometimes called  livebearer or livebearing topminnow. The young are almost always born at night or very early morning, and usually head first. After giving birth, the female often turns around and tries to catch the babies and eat them!!  Because of this, breeders have created a "maternity cage" that allows the fry to escape while holding back the mother.	Fish		Burton, M. & Burton, R. (1975). Encyclopedia of fish. London: Octopus Books.;  Herald, E. S. (1972). Fishes of North America. New York: Doubleday.; Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M. D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico Press.;  Wernert, S.J. (1982).North American Wildlife. Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York:  Macmillan.;  Photograph:  .	259					Length: 3/4 - 2 1/2 in. (1.9 - 6.3 cm);  Max  6 in.   (15 cm)	
Bark Scorpion		Alacran, Escorpion.		Buthidae (A family of Scorpions).	Centruroides vittatus and C. exilicauda.	Under bark and rocks in shrub desert, grassland, and riparian  ecosystems. C. exilicauda is found in Northwestern Mexico, most of Arizona and extreme Southwestern New Mexico. C. vittatus is found mostly east of the Rio Grande to Kansas.	Pallid bat, burrowing owls, grasshopper mice, some
 lizards, other scorpions. 	Insectivorous. They eat other arthropods.		Live for over one year. Young are born live. Metamorphosis simple- immature stages, adult.	The bark scorpion is a very slender arachnid with slender crab-like claws and a long thin tail. The tail ends in a sharp stinger with a wart-like projection just in front of it. Some bark scorpions are striped with black, while others may be totally straw-colored. Centruroides vittatus differs from C. exilicauda in that it usually has a dark triangle around the eye, and the next to the last tail segment is often slightly darker than the rest. In the young, this segment may be very dark. Scorpions have two unusual comb-like appendages, called pectines, underneath their bodies near the last pair of legs. Although scientists are not completely sure of their function, they now think that they are used like sensory organs to feel vibrations. If true, this would be an advantage when hunting in the dark. Mouthparts chewing-sucking.		Centruroides vittatus seems to have a mild venom but C. exilicauda has a more dangerous venom called a neurotoxin, which attacks the nervous system. Small children and older people with health problems are most likely to be ar risk if stung.  A healthy adult usually will usually survive with some discomfort, unless they have some venom allergy. Scorpions are very ancient, dating back to the Silurian Period (400 million years ago). They once were aquatic and apparently had compound eyes. However, they are well adapted to living in the desert because of their hard, waxy, multi-layered cuticle. This helps them retain moisture and avoid dessication. 										They breed at various times, usually in summer. Scorpions give birth to live young, which the mother carries on its back until the baby scorpions molt. 	Insect	thbarkscorp2.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Polis, G. A. (Ed.). (1990)  The biology of scorpions. Stanford University Press.; Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph (of C. exilicauda): David B. Richman.    	260	Except during mating, scorpions are generally solitary. They are nocturnal, and most active during the summer. Bark scorpions live under rocks or bark, or in other shelters, where they remain during most daylight hours. Because they cling to the underside of bark and/or rocks, they may not be noticed at first. 	barkscorp2.jpg			Length: 5 - 7.5 cm as adults.	
Apache Violin Spider		Ara–a Violin		Sicariidae (A family of Spiders, formerly Loxoscelidae)	Loxosceles apachea.	Mesas and plains near the foothills of desert slopes, usually under rocks and trash.	Other spiders.	Insectivorous. They primarily eat ants, but will also eat many other arthropods.		One year, sometimes two. Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	The Apache violin spider is a thin-legged brown arachnid with a dark brown "violin-like" marking on its back. Mouthparts chewing-sucking. Unlike most other spiders which have eight eyes to go with their eight legs, violin spiders have only six eyes, arranged in three groups of two eyes each.		Violin spiders are among the few really venomous spiders found in the desert. Their venom destroys bodily tissues and causes a slowly enlarging wound which may heal slowly and become easily infected. It often leaves a large scar. Occasionally, the infection can spread throughout the body and cause a serious condition that may lead to death.										Breeding occurs in winter or early spring. Females lay eggs late in spring or early in summer. 	Insect	tnviolin.jpg	 Gertsch, W. J., & Ennik, F. (1983). The spider genus Loxosceles in North America, Central America, and the West Indies (Araneae, Loxoscelidae).;  (Bulletin 175,  pp. 264-360). American Museum of Natural History.;Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman.	261	Primarily nocturnal.	violin.jpg			Length: 7 mm.	
Sun Spider	Wind Scorpion, Solpugid.	Solifugo		Eremobatidae	Eremobates spp.	Desert surface. There are over 100 species of solpugids in the Southwest, with one small area of the Jornada in New Mexico having at least 10 species.	Few.	Insectivorous. They eat other arthropods.		Unknown, but possibly longer than one year.  Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	The sun spider is a strange-looking arachnid whose two palpi (feelers) look like legs, making it appear to have an extra pair. It's body is pinkish- brown in front, with a dirty gray, multi-segmented abdomen.The sun spider has very large vertical jaws (chewing-sucking) with which it attacks its prey. It also has sensory  organs on the underside of its fourth pair of legs. These are called racquet organs, because they are shaped like miniature tennis racquets. Their function is little understood.	Solpugids are often feared by human beings who believe they are venomous, but they actually have no venom glands. The large North African Galeodes arabs, or camel spider, which may reach 7 cm in body length, is thought by many to be deadly. Again, this is not true. Maybe the deadly reputation of the solpugids resulted from people seeing them externally digest their prey.	The sun spider is often mistaken for the Jerusalem Cricket. But like other arachnids, the sun spider has eight legs unlike the insect, which has six.  											Insect	thsolpugid5.jpg	 Cloudsley-Thompson, J.  L. (1968). Spiders, scorpions, centipedes and mites. Oxford: Pergamon Press.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.	263	Primarily nocturnal. They are most active during the summer.	solpugid5.jpg			Length: 1 - 5 cm.	
Rugose Harvester Ant		Hormiga Colectora, Hormiga Colorada		Formicidae (Ants)	Pogonomyrmex rugosus	Red harvester ants inhabit desert shrubland and desert grassland.	Horned lizards, other ants.	Red harvester ants are omnivorous. They eat seeds, dead insects, and other arthropods.		Red harvester worker ants live less than a year, but queens probably live longer.   They have a complete metamorphosis, going through four stages - egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Males die after the mating flight, which usually follows a rain. Worker ants are all sterile females. 	Like all ants, red harvester ants, have elbowed antennae. Other insects with the similar social structure, such as termites, have thread-like antennae, with no elbows. These ants are also "wasp-waisted", as opposed to the thick junction between thorax and abdomen in termites. The workers are large and dark red with two knots in the thin waist. Males and queens have wings during breeding season. Mouthparts chewing.	Harvester ants do not usually infest human homes, although they may sometimes enter through the chimney and vents during their mating flights.  They may also gather around doorways and inflict their painful stings. Harvester ants get their name from their habit of clearing large areas of plants, sometimes creating circular bare spots several feet across. They may cause serious damage to alfalfa and grain fields, or to citrus trees.  	Red harvester ants have among the most painful stings in their order, rating with velvet ants and tarantula hawks.  The venom is highly toxic and painful, but does not usually cause serious results. 										The winged males and females wait in the nest until an appropriate rainstorm, which is their signal to begin their mating flight. They swarm on the surface and then fly tens of feet into the sky to mate - quite high for an insect. The males die right afterwards. Females land and lose their wings. They lay their eggs and care for the first young themselves, until the first group of worker ants are mature enough to take over the job.	Insect	thredharvester2.jpg	Benavides, J. B. (July 1, 1996) Harvester ants or agricultural ants. [On-line]. Available: http://www.netside.net/~jb/images/harvesterant.html.;  Cole, A. C. (1968). Pogonomyrmex  harvester ants. Knoxville, TN: University of Tennessee Press.;  Cranshaw, W. S. (1995, September). Ants in the fireplace or ductwork - it's hilltopping time! Pest Alert: Colorado State University Cooperative Pest Alert Newsletter, 12(23).  [On-line]. Available: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/IPM/news/pestalrt/pestalrt23.html.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service; Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.  	264	Red harvester ants are diurnal.  They are most active during the day, sometimes retreating to the nest in very hot weather. Nests are very deep, sometimes over 10 feet (3 meters). There may be rings of vegetation around the nest where seeds have been discarded. 	redharvester.jpg			Length: 6 - 7 mm (workers).	
Desert Millipede		Milpies		Spirostreptidae (one family of Millipedes)	Orthoporus ornatus	Desert shrubland and desert grassland.	Few.	Herbivorous. They eat vegetation, both living and dead.		Probably several years. They undergo an annual molt. Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult. 	The desert millipede is a diplopod, a type of arthropod. The name millipede comes from two Latin words meaning 1000 legs. Although this is an exaggeration, all millipedes have two pairs of legs per body segment (unlike centipedes, which have one pair per segment). This gives them a gliding or rippling appearance while running. Millipedes are elongated, cylindrical and worm-like, and usually are reddish-brown or dark gray-brown in color. Mouthparts chewing.		Desert millipedes are the largest of the millipedes found in the United States. They have 2 lines of defense that they are effective against potential predators. A millipede's exoskeleton is quite hard. If it curls itself into a ball, many animals will be unable to harm it. The desert millipede also produces a foul-smelling and bitter defensive chemical that will put off other animals. This chemical stains alcohol a burgundy red.										Breeding takes place during summer rains.	Insect	thorthoporus2.jpg	 Crawford, C. S. (1981).  Biology of desert invertebrates. Berlin, Germany: Springer-Verlag.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.  	265	Diurnal and nocturnal. They are usually active after rains,  during cloudy days, or at night. They become desiccated easily, and so tend to stay in burrows during the heat of the day. In fact, many of these millipedes spend about 3/4 of their lives underground in burrows, eating vegetation.	orthoporus2.jpg			Length: up to 15 cm.	
Desert Centipede		Scolopendra		Scolopendridae (one family of Centipedes)	Scolopendra polymorpha, S. heros, and S. viridis	Desert shrubland, desert grassland, open woodlands, and  in riparian areas under rocks.	Other centipedes, scorpions, some bats.	Carnivorous. They eat other arthropods, small lizards, and mice.		Several years.  It takes at least two years for centipedes to reach maturity. Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	The desert centipede is a chilopod, a type of arthropod. The name centipede comes from two Latin words meaning 100 legs. As with its relative, the millipede, this is an exaggeration. In fact, the desert centipede has only one pair of legs per body segment, or at most, about 40 legs all together. The centipede is elongated, flattened, and segmented, with poison claws at the front (anterior) end that it uses for hunting and for defense. Mouthparts chewing.	Although the centipede does have a poisonous claw and may inflict a painful bite if bothered, the venom is rarely very harmful to adults. 	Scolopendra centipedes in the tropics can reach one foot in length and can easily attack and overpower small vertebrates. Centipedes not only have venom in their claws, but also small amounts of venom in each leg.										They mate in spring and summer, and eggs are laid from May to July. Unlike many other arthropds, centipede mothers often stay with the eggs to protect them until the babies hatch. Females will coil themselves around the eggs in an underground burrow, and lick them to keep them moist and clear of mites and fungi. Babies are born with 3 - 7 pairs of legs, and molrt several times before reaching adult size.	Insect	thcentiped2.jpg	Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.   	266	Nocturnal. They are usually active in spring or summer.	centiped2.jpg			Length: 15 - 20 cm.	
Tarantula		Ara–a Peluda, Migale		Theraphosidae (a family of Spiders)	Aphonopelma spp.	Primarily in desert shrubland and desert grassland. May also be found in open woodlands.	Birds, lizards, snakes, frogs, toads, skunks, coatimundis, javelina (peccary), and tarantula hawks (wasps).	Carnivorous. They eat other arthropods and small vertebrates.		Males live one year after maturity. Females may live for as much as twenty years and usually molt at least once a year.  Both sexes take several years to mature.  Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	A tarantula spider is a large, hairy, brown to blackish arachnid, with long spinnerets and massive fangs. It uses these fangs to inject venom into its pray. The tarantula also has a patch of urticating (defensive) hairs on its abdomen which it will rake with its hind legs when disturbed. The loose hairs can cause a reaction to the skin, eyes, or nasal passages of its enemies. If the spider is disturbed much, it may have a bald spot, although the urticating hairs will be replaced at molt. Tarantulas are the largest living spiders. Some tropical species reach 10 cm. (about 4 in.) in length and have legs that would span a dinner plate.  Mouthparts chewing-sucking.	The name comes from the Italian city of Taranto where large wolf spiders live. These spiders were called tarantulas and the Italian sailors who came to the New World with Columbus applied this name to the large hairy spiders they encountered. Although tarantulas have a fearsome appearance and a bad reputation, their bite does not usually cause serious harm to adult humans. However, their urticating hairs may cause allergic reactions in some people.	Like other spiders, tarantulas lack teeth, jaws, or other food grinding equipment. In order to eat, they must liquefy the usable parts of their prey externally by covering the food with digestive juices. They then suck in the liquid. The hairs on a tarantula are not for appearance, but are used to sense vibrations in the environment. This is important for both hunting and safety because despite its eight eyes, the spider has poor vision and must sense its prey rather than see it. Other hairs, especially on the abdomen, are used in defense. When it finds a possible meal, the tarantula springs up on on it and strikes down with its fangs, injecting poison.										Breeding takes place in late summer and fall. A male may wander for miles until he finds a female in her silk-lined burrow. The male will die shortly after mating; however, the female tarantula stays underground through the winter. This is not a problem, because she can live in a burrow for long periods without food or water. In fact, some tarantulas in captivity have lived for over a year without food. The female lays her eggs in the spring and they hatch in the burrow about a month later. The spiderlings stay underground until after their first molt, and then disperse to new homes. Both male and female tarantulas must mature for several years before they breed.	Insect	thtarantula.jpg	 Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred
 common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University,
 Cooperative Extension Service.; Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph:  Whitney Cranshaw, Courtesy of Colorado State University.   Photographs:  1)  
Colorado State University: Gillette Entomology Collection.  2)  Richman B. David.	268	Nocturnal. Tarantulas are active from spring through fall. The females remain in their burrows during the winter, and also may do so during periods of severe drought.	tarantula.jpg			Length: up to 50 mm.	
Tarantula Hawk				Pompilidae (Spider Wasps)	Pepsis spp.	Desert shrubland, desert grassland, open woodlands, and ponderosa pine forests.	None.	Adults are nectivorous, like many other wasps.  Larvae are insectivorous, and feed on spiders paralyzed by their mothers.		Yearly cycle. They make a complete metamorphosis, going through four stages - egg, larva, pupa, and adult. 	Despite its name, the tarantula hawk is an insect. It is a large, long-legged wasp with metallic blue-black body and red-orange or blue-black wings. Its common name comes from its breeding behavior, which requires the female to lay its egg on a paralyzed tarantula. Mouthparts chewing.	State insect of New Mexico.	This is the largest of North American wasps. The sting of this wasp is very painful. As in all Hymenoptera, males do not have stingers.										Around flowers during summer. The female then tackles and stings a tarantula, paralyzing it.The tarantula is dragged to the wasp's burrow and one egg is laid on the body. The larva of the wasp hatches and eats the tarantula, finally pupating and becoming an adult.	Insect	tntaranhawk.jpg	Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph:  (1) (1) Whitney Cranshaw, Courtesy of Colorado State University:  Gillette Entomology Collection(Thumbnail), (2) David B. Richman. 	269	Diurnal. They are active from spring to fall.	tarhawk.jpg			Length: 5 cm.	
Jerusalem Cricket.	Child of the Earth.	Ni–a de la Tierra (means child of the earth)		Stenopelmatidae	Stenopelmatus sp.	Underground in desert shrubland and desert grassland.	Small mammals.	Insectivorous. It eats other arthropods.		Probably one year. The Jerusalem cricket goes through an simple or incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg; several stages as a nymph; and adult - instead of 4 four stages that some other insects experience.	The Jerusalem cricket is a large-headed tan and gray cricket-like insect with dark brown crossbands on its abdomen. It is wingless and has large jaws and powerful legs. The smooth head with 2 black eyes resembles the top of a human skull. This gave rise to its common name, child of the earth. Mouthparts chewing- it can bite but has no venom.	This odd insect is often regarded as being deadly, but it is not venomous. However, it may bite if handled carelessly. Rarely coming to the surface, Jerusalem crickets are often found in swimming pools. 	When bothered, this insect may make a sound like 2 pieces of sandpaper rubbed together by scraping its hind legs against the tough plates on the sides of the abdomen.										Jerusalem crickets mate in the spring. Like some spiders, the female devours the male after mating.	Insect	thninadelatierra.jpg	 Milne, L., & Milne, M. (1980). Audubon Society field guide to North American insects and spiders. New York: Knopf.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Westcott, C. (1973). The gardener's bug book.  New York: Doubleday.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph:  Dave B. Richman.	270	Nocturnal. 	ninadelatierra.jpg			Length: 3.5 - 4 cm.	
Walkingstick		Insecto Palo		Heteronemiidae	Diapheromera spp.	Grass, trees and shrubs in desert shrubland and grassland.	Birds.	Herbivorous. Eats grasses and the foliage of various shrubs and trees.		One year. The walkingstick goes through an incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg, several molts as a nymph, and adult - instead of 4 four stages that some other insects experience.	The walkingstick is a wingless insect whose name is a good description of how it looks. It is extremely long and slender  with long antennae and legs. The body is usually yellowish and green which is perfect camouflage against branches. Mouthparts chewing. 		Some species of walkingstick lack males, while others have both sexes.  Immature walking sticks can loose legs and regenerate them.										Mostly during summer.	Insect	thwalker.jpg	Arnett, R. H. (1985). American insects. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.;  Helfer, J. R. (1953). How to know the grasshoppers, cockroaches, and their allies. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.   	271	Diurnal, but may be active at night as well.	creostik.jpg			Length: 3 - 4 in. (7.5 - 10 cm.)	
Lechuguilla		Lechuguilla		Agavaceae  (Agave family)	Agave lechuguilla	Favors rocky, limestone slopes, cliffs, hills and mesas. Grows in Chihuahuan Desert lowlands.			Black, flat and shiny.		Lechuguilla has sharp, succulent leaves growing in a loose rosette. When flowering, a very tall stalk of yellow, red, or purplish blooms grow from the center.  Lechuguilla is a very abundant indicator plant of the Chihuahuan Desert.	Native American tribes used the fibers from lechuguilla leaves to make baskets and rope. During World War II, cortisone was extracted from the leaves. Lechuguilla was considered dangerous to early Southwestern explorers and their horses. The sharp leaves pierced animals' legs; riders faced the danger of the leaves stabbing them.	The lechuguilla plant grows in colonies. The leaves of even the smallest lechugilla can punture the tires of off-road vehicles.  It is believed to take 10 to 15 years to flower and then it dies.  But the plant's offshoots continue living.		Blooms from May to July.  Clusters of pinkish-white to yellow to green flowers grow at top of stalk.  Lechuguilla dies after flowering.	Seed capsules are the fruit of this succulent.  Brown to black in color and 1 in. long.	Zone: 6, 7.	Lechuguilla is a popular plant for native landscapes.	Low.  It stores moisture in its leaves.					Plant	thlechuguilla.jpg	Champie, C.   (1974).   Cacti and succulents of El Paso.  Santa Barbara, CA:  Abbey Garden Press.;  Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe:  Red Crane Books.;  Jaeger, E. (1957). The North American deserts.  Stanford: Stanford University Press.;  MacMahon, J. (1995). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Wauer, R. (1980). Naturalist's Big Bend. College Station, TX: Texas A & M  University Press.;  Photograph:  Justin Van Zee.	273		lechuguilla.jpg	Grow from seeds or offshoots.		Height: Stalk: 7 to 13 ft. (213 - 396 cm).  Leaves: up to 2 ft. (3 cm).    	
Tube-forming Desert Termite		Terme, Termita		Termitidae	Gnathamitermes perplexus	Underground in desert shrubland and grassland.	Ants, lizards, worm snakes.	Herbivorous. They eat weathered wood and dry grass.		Workers live less than one year, reproductives (called queens and kings) for over one year. Termites go through an incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg, several stages as a nymph, and adult - instead of 	Termites are small, cylinder-shaped insects. The tube-forming worker and soldier termites are white with the soldiers having dark brown to black colored heads. The king and queen termites are brown to black colored all over. Their antennae are shaped like strings of beads. Unlike ants, termites are "thick waisted." Winged termites have two pairs of wings of nearly equal lengths.  The wing membranes are divided into tiny cells by numerous veins and cross veins.  Usually the wings are smoky gray or brownish.   They break off easily, leaving small scabs on the insect's dorsum (back of thorax). Mouthparts chewing.	Often incorrectly referred to as "white ants."	Termites are very similar to ants in that they have social divisions and functional roles.  Yet ants are the primary enemy of termites.  It is the function of soldier termites to defensively guard the colony from ants.  Worker termites are in charge of food, procurement and enlarging the nest, while kings and queens get to do all the mating.  In contrast to ants in which all workers are sterile females, worker termites may be either sterile males or females, and kings (male reproductives) do not die after mating. 										King and queen termites come out of the ground in swarms after summer rains to mate. After mating, both sexes loose their wings. Each pair starts a new colony together.	Insect	tntermite1.jpg	 Arnett, R. H., Jr. (1985). American insects. New York: Van Nostrand Reinhold.;  Helfer, J. R. (1953). How to know the grasshoppers, cockroaches and their allies. Dubuque, IA: Wm. C. Brown.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest.  Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.  	274	Underground throughout the day and night. Only on surface at night and after rains under clouds. The workers construct tubes of wood particles and sand around food at night to prevent it from drying out.   They do this work at night to avoid the sun which can dehydrate them.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/Insect/termitetubes.jpg">Click here</a> to see what the tubes look like.	termite1.jpg			Length: Workers and soldiers 5 - 5.5 mm. Young queens up to 10 mm. from head to tip of wings. Older queens lack wings but are  much larger in body size.	
Black Widow Spider		Viuda Negra		Theridiidae (A family of Spiders)	Latrodectus hesperus	Found in animal burrows, overhangs, houses, sheds, hay bins, hedges, grape vineyards and other dark sites in desert shrubland, desert grassland, riparian areas, open woodlands, mountain forests, croplands, and urban areas. In other words the black widow can be found almost anywhere.	Muddauber wasps, other black widows, parasitic flies.	Insectivorous. They eat other arthropods.		Black widows reach maturity in four months and normally live for two years.  Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	Webs are messy looking and crackle when broken. Black widows hang upside down on their irregular webs, which are made of very strong silk, so anyone meeting up with this arachnid will probably see the red hourglass marking first. The markings on female black widows can vary widely.  The classic black widow is black with a large red hourglass-shaped marking on the underbelly. Others may be almost totally black with only a slight red mark on the underside. The markings on the dorsal abdomen (top of its back segment) range from black, to dark reddish-brown, to black and white, to canary-yellow spots. Spiderlings and males are usually white with an orange hourglass mark on the underside of the abdomen. Mouthparts chewing-sucking.  The egg sac is dirty white in color, often pear-shaped, and a bit larger than a pea.	Around the turn of the century it was common to be afraid of black widow spiders. Scientists often considered this fear to be silly until it was learned that black widow venom was really a powerful and dangerous neurotoxin.	The black widow spider gets its name from the common belief that the male may be eaten by its mate. However, often a male can live on the female's web without being bothered. At least one other widow spider, female Australian red back spiders, actually do kill their mates, and so deserve the reputation of being  "black widows."  Black widow venom is a neurotoxin that destroys important transmitters in the nervous system. The neurotoxin can cause paralysis, and if the lungs are affected, the person may die. The amount injected is so small, that most adults are not seriously hurt by black widow bites. However, a child or elderly person may be in danger. The symptoms are much like flu, with muscle aches and aggitation or restlessness.  Dispersal is by ballooning as spiderlings.   Adults may move around their habitats, or may hitchhike in boxes, boards, freight, or various containers.										Mating probably takes place primarily during summer on the female web. The egg sac is pear-shaped and about 14 mm. by 12 mm.	Insect	tnblwidow.jpg	 Kaston, B. J. (1972). How to know the spiders. (3rd ed.). Dubuque, IA: Brown.;Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.; Photograph: David B. Richman. 	275	Nocturnal. Active at night throughout most of the year, except during very cold periods.	blwidow.jpg			Length: Male 3.5 -  4.5 mm; female 10.5 - 13 mm. Legspan:   Females: up to 40 mm.  	
Queen Butterfly		Mariposa		Danaidae (recently made a subfamily of the Nymphalidae,or Brush-footed butterflies, according to some authors)	Danaus gilippus	Very general - desert, desert grassland, prairies, riparian areas, and open woodlands.	None. The larva of queen butterflies feed on common milkweed.  Chemicals found in the milkweed make the queens inedible.	Adult queen butterflies are nectivorous.  Larvae are herbivorous, and feed on milkweed, vine milkweed and oleander.		About one year.  Goes through the four stages of complete metamorphosis common to many insects - egg, several larval stages, pupa, and adult. 	The queen butterfly is an insect with fox brown wings outlined in black. There are white spots on the borders and on the forewings and black veins throughout. The body of this large butterfly is also fox brown, while the head and thorax  are darker. Mouthparts sucking, shaped liked a coiled straw. In the larval stage it has a brownish-white base color with brightly colored bands and dark and yellow cross bands.		Queens, like Monarch Butterflies, feed on milkweeds as larvae and transfer the chemicals from the milkweed to their bodies.   This makes then unpalatable to birds. Active throughout much of the year during warm periods. Queen butterflies do not like a cold climate. Therefore they do not migrate like their relatives, monarch butterflies. 										Probably mostly in summer.	Insect	tnqueen.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J. P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;   Pyle, R. M.  (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service; Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.    	276	Diurnal.	queen.jpg			Wingspan: 80-85 mm.	
Wheel Bug				Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)	Arilus cristatus	Meadows, croplands, and riparian areas. Although not strictly a desert insect, it is occasionally seen in agricultural areas of New Mexico and more rarely in Arizona.	Possibly some birds.	Carnivorous. They eat other arthropods and insects.		Usually one generation per year.   The wheelbug goes through an incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg, several molts as a nymph, and adult - instead of 4 four stages that some other insects experience.	This insect is the largest of the North American assassin bugs.The adult wheel bug is a large gray-brown to black insect with a toothed crest behind the head. This crest is semi-circular and looks like part of a cog wheel; thus the name wheel bug. Its head is very narrow and it has slender, reddish-brown antennae, legs and beak. The nymph is red with dark markings. The bite of the wheel bug is very painful and should be avoided. Mouthparts piercing-sucking.		Wheel bugs prey on other insects.  They have a unique and frightening way (for other insects) of consuming their prey.  They have a sharp beak which they use to stab into their victim and suck out its insides after injecting salivary enzymes that digest the prey's organs.										Each fall a mass of eggs are laid which will hatch in late spring/early summer.  These young are ready to reproduce by the time fall comes around, thus completing the cycle.	Insect	thwheelbug.jpg	 Milne, L., & Milne, M. (1980). The Audubon guide to North American insects and spiders. New York: Knopf.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland,
 C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces,
 NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Smith, R.  L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: Dave Leatherman, Courtesy of Colorado State
 University:  Gillete Entomology Collection.	277	Mostly in summer and fall during the day.	wheelbug.jpg			Length:  30 - 35 mm or slightly larger.	
Pallid-winged Grasshopper				Acrididae (Short-Horned Grasshoppers)	Trimerotropis pallidipennis	Desert shrubland and  grassland near ephemeral lakes, and on roadsides. Also in croplands. They are found throughout the Southwest.	Insectivorous birds, mammals and reptiles, parasitic flies, blister beetles, and many others.	 Herbivorous. They feed on many desert and grassland plants, and sometimes on crops.		One generation per year. The pallid-winged grasshopper  goes through a simple or incomplete metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg, several molts as a nymph, and adult.	This insect belongs to the short-horned  grasshopper family because  its antennae are shorter than its body length. A pallid-winged grasshopper is medium-sized and of mottled color, ranging from light brown to black. Its hind tibia are yellow, its wings are longer than the abdomen, and the hind wings have dark colored bands. Like all short horned grasshoppers, its ears are found under its wings on its first abdominal segment. Mouthparts chewing.	Pallid winged grasshoppers are the most common short-horned grasshoppers seen in the Southwest. They are attracted to lights at night, and sometimes swarm near them by the thousands. Unlike many other swarming insects, such as locusts, pallid-winged grasshoppers seem to cause little damage to crops and gardens. 											The pallid winged grasshopper breeds during the summer. The male courts the female with a song consisting of 3 to 6 snaps of its wings, creating by flying up into the air. This is the only time male pallids "sing."  The female lays her eggs in late summer in a pod, which is a row of eggs surrounded by a protective shell of soil. Unlike the females of other grasshopper species which die after laying their eggs, the female pallid may live after depositing her eggs. This may contribute to the pallid grassshopper's abundance. Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring.	Insect	thpallidwinged2.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Lightfoot, D. C., Sutherland, C. A., & Ferguson, D. J. (1993). A manual of the grasshoppers of New Mexico. (Handbook No. 7). Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman.	278	Diurnal, but will come to lights at night.	pallidwinged2.jpg			Length: 25 - 45 mm.	
Creosote Grasshopper				Acrididae (Short-Horned Grasshoppers)	Bootettix argentatus	Creosote deserts.	Probably none because of their diet.	 Herbivorous. They eat only creosote leaves.		One generation per year. The creosote grasshopper goes through an incomplete or simple metamorphosis from egg to adult. That means there are only three stages - egg, several molts as a nymph, and adult.	This insect spends a lot of time on creosote bushes, feeding on the leaves. Its coloring, green with white streaks, allows the creosote grasshopper to blend into the creosote bush, making it very difficult to see. The creosote grasshopper is called short-horned because its antennae are shorter than its body length.  Like all short horned grasshoppers, its ears are found under its wings on its first abdominal segment.		One of the few insects that feeds exclusively on creosote, which is poisonous to many other animals. Male creosote grasshoppers have two distinct songs. One is used only during mating season to attract the female. The other song may be broadcast at various times to advertise territory, possibly keeping away intruders.										The creosote grasshopper breeds during the summer. The male courts the  female by making a chirping sound, made by rubbing its hind legs against its wings. The female lays her eggs in late summer in a pod, which is a row of eggs surrounded by a protective shell of soil. Like most grasshoppers, the female creosote normally dies right after breeding.  Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring.	Insect	thbootettix.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Lightfoot, D. C., Sutherland, C. A., & Ferguson, D. J. (1993). A manual of the grasshoppers of New Mexico. (Handbook No. 7). Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; 
Photograph:  David C. Lightfoot.	279	Diurnal. Creosote Grasshoppers do not swarm like some other grasshoppers do.	bootettix.jpg			Length:  2 - 26 mm.	
Pictured Grasshopper	Barber Pole Grasshopper			Acrididae (Short-Horned Grasshoppers) 	Dactylotum bicolor	Desert grassland.	Probably not edible, hence warning coloration.	Herbivorous. They eat various broad-leaved herbs, such as verbena and seep willow.		One year. Metamorphosis simple- egg, nymphal stages, adult.	This flightless grasshopper is one of the most abundant insects on rangeland. The bright blue, red, yellow and white markings of the pictured grasshopper also make it one the most colorful grasshoppers in the Southwest. The bright colors serve as a warning to potential predators that this insect may not be edible. Mouthparts chewing.		Feeds on "weeds" and forbes like the creosote and snakeweed grasshoppers.										Mostly in summer.	Insect	thpicturedgh.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Lightfoot, D. C., Sutherland, C. A., & Ferguson, D. J. (1993). A manual of the grasshoppers of New Mexico. (Handbook No. 7). Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Photograph: D. C. Lightfoot.	280	Diurnal.	picturedgh.jpg			Length:  20 - 35 mm.	
Horse Lubber				Romaleidae (a family of Short-Horned Grasshoppers, often placed in the Acrididae)	Taeniopoda eques	Desert shrubland and grassland.	Few.  Probably not edible as it has warning coloration.	Omnivorous. They eat shrubs, grass, broad-leaved herbs, carrion, and other grasshoppers.		One year.  Metamorphosis simple- egg, nymphal stages, adult.	Largest of the Southwestern grasshoppers, this insect is colored black with bright yellow and orange markings. The hind wings are bright pink with black borders. The horse lubber never develops full sized wings, so the female cannot fly, although a male may be able to glide for short distances. The horse lubber grasshopper is called short-horned (it is sometimes placed in the Acrididae) because its antennae are shorter than its body length. Mouthparts chewing.	Lubber is an old English word for a fat, lazy fellow. Although we are not sure where the name horse lubber originated, this grasshopper may have been named for its large size, and its inability to fly. Horse lubbers are often seen crossing roads in large numbers during late summer and fall. They are known to swarm in groups numbering into the thousands. Despite this, horse lubbers are not known to cause serious damage to crops and gardens. 											The horse lubber grasshopper breeds during the summer. The female lays her eggs in late summer in a pod, which is a row of eggs surrounded by a protective shell of soil. Like most grasshoppers, the female lubber dies right after breeding.  Eggs overwinter and hatch in the spring.	Insect	thhorselubber.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Lightfoot, D. C., Sutherland, C. A., & Ferguson, D. J. (1993). A manual of the grasshoppers of New Mexico. (Handbook No. 7). Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Photograph:  David B. Richman.	281	Mostly diurnal.	horselubber.jpg			Length:  38 - 64 mm.	
Giant Crab Spider				Heteropodidae	Olios giganteus  (also called O. fasciculatus)	Desert.	Spider wasps, some birds and mammals.	Insectivorous.		At least one year. Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult.	These arachnids are among the largest non-tarantula spiders in the United States. Giant crab spiders are tan-colored with a thin, darker mark on the abdomen. Their mouthparts (chewing-sucking) are black with a red spot in each corner. The spiders' first three pairs of legs angle forward.    	Spiders similar to Giant Crabs were used in the film "Arachnophobia" as the soldier spiders because of their menacing appearance. 	These spiders do not spin webs. 										The female lays eggs in a sac, probably in the summer.  The egg sac is hidden inside a parchment-like retreat, often under large rocks.	Insect	thgiantcrab.jpg	 Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman.   	282	Nocturnal.	giantcrab.jpg			Length:  up to 20 mm.	
Fresh Water Crayfish	Crawfish, Crawdads			Astacidae	Procambarus clarki (red swamp) and Orconectes sp.	Fresh-water, permanent streams, rivers, lakes and ponds with lots of rocks for cover.	Other crayfish, fish, wading birds and Grackles, racoons, mink and bullfrogs.	Omnivorous.  There's a popular misconception that crawfish are scavengers like lobsters but they actually prefer to consume fresh meat and fish.  They also will eat any plant material but prefer vegetation that is tender and fresh.  They avoid very coarse plant material.			New Mexico has seven species of crayfish, four native and three introduced.  Red swamp crayfishes, introduced from Louisiana, are easily identifiable by their bright red color.  Also present in New Mexico are Rusty (introduced) and Conchas (native) crayfishes.  Crayfish are crustaceans that look similar to lobsters only smaller.  They have two large pinchers in front, antennae, eight legs and a long tail ending in a fan shape.    	Breeding crayfish for human consumption is an industry centered in Louisiana where Cajun cooking is very popular.  Much of the literature on crayfishes focuses on how to construct breeding ponds for raising the crustaceans.  These ponds are sometimes sown with rice plants so the crayfish can feed on them, and they are also sometimes drained after mating takes place.  The females use this time to burrow and then emerge with their young when the ponds are filled again.	Crayfish are cannibals who will eat each other during molts. Crayfish must shed their outer shells many times before reaching maturity in order to grow.  The molt is usually done inside a protective burrow until a new shell is grown.  Like insects and other crustaceans, the shell serves as the skeleton for the crayfish. Legs are frequently lost and regenerated by the crayfish. Plenty of calcium carbonate (limestone) must be present in the water for proper shell development.  										The breeding cycle for crayfish begins with mating in late spring and ends with the young hatching in October.  First, the male deposits sperm into an external receptacle on the female.  Months later in September, the eggs are fertized by passing over the sperm as they are laid.  A sticky substance enables the female to carry the eggs on the swimmerettes under her tail.  The egg laying occurs in a burrow which is dug by the female.  The eggs hatch sometime in October, 12 to 21 days after laying, depending on the species.  The newly born crayfish are usually carried under their mother's tail 5 to 10 days after hatching.  	Insect	thcrayfish.jpg	Davis, J. T.  (1994).  Aquaculture technical series: crawfish production.  Athens, GA: The University of Georgia, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Dorman, L., Gray, D. L., Burtle, G., (1985).  Crawfish production in Arkansas.  Little Rock, Ark.: The Service.;  LaCaze, C., (1976).  Crawfish farming.  Baton Rouge, LA:  Fisheries Bulletin No.7, Louisiana Wild Life and Fisheries Commision.;  Lang, B. K., Mehlhop, P., New Mexico Department of Game and Fish, and New Mexico Natural Heritage Program, University of New Mexico, Department of Biology. (1996). Report: Distribution of freshwater mussels (Unionidae) of the Canadian River drainage: New Mexico and Texas.  Washington, D.C.: National Biological Service.;  Pennak, R. W., (1978).  Fresh-water invertebrates of the United States, 2nd edition.  New York: John Wiley & Sons, A Wiley-Interscience Publication.;  Photograph: Naida Zucker?  	283	Bottom feeders during the day, surface and land feeders at night.	crayfish.jpg				
Desert Spring Snails	Hydrobiid Snails				Tryonia spp. and Fontelicella spp.	Pristine, permanent remote desert springs.	Fish and other animals that live in or near the springs.	Microscopic algae called diatoms.		About one year.	These little dark snails are mollusks that live in permanent desert springs. Each spring usually has a unique species that is found no where else, although occasionally a spring may have up to four species. All of the snails are less than an inch in length and/or height, and some are so tiny that you need a microscope to see them!  These snails have sensory tentacles on their heads used for navigating, and primitive eyes at the base of the tentacles. Snails move about through contractions of a single foot. Many of the hydrobiid snails have never been formally named and classified.	These snails are all endangered species because their habitats are very fragile. People sometimes cap springs and divert the water elsewhere, or construct pipes that drain into or out of the springs. Cattle are another source of habitat destruction because they can trample the snails, drink from the springs, or contaminate the water with their waste products. 	The presence of snails in a fresh water spring tells scientists certain things about that spring. It must be of extremely high quality and be permanent, meaning that it doesn't dry up at any time of the year. Also certain rare animals such as aquatic insects, fishes and crustaceans, may live in or near a spring that contains snails. Since snails are part of a spring's food chain, their extinction can endanger other animals who feed on them.										The eggs are laid in capsules and these capsules are cemented to the bottom of the spring or to the shells of the snails. Scientists believe that the tiny snails emerge from the eggs within a few days or weeks, although their breeding has not yet been thoroughly investigated.	Fish	thsnail2.jpg	Gleason, J. (Producer), & Holian P. (Videographer). (1997).  Interview at Smithsonian with Hershler, R. [Videotape].  Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Agricultural Communications.  R. Hershler (personal communication, July 28, 1997).;  Photograph: Dr. R. Hershler.	284	Important part of the ecology of the spring. The snails live close to the spring source.	badwater.jpg			Length:  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/fish/snail1.jpg">Less than 1 mm. to 9 - 10 mm.</a>	
Black-Billed Magpie				Corvidae	Pica pica	Foothills, meadows and wooded valleys.		Carnivorous.  Grasshoppers and other insects, eggs.			Magpies have very distinctive markings.  They are an iridescent black with white on their wings and lower underparts.  In certain light their feathers have a bronze, green and purple sheen.  Their tails are as long as their bodies, (9.5 to 12 in.) and fan out in flight. The beak is long and black.                  	The expression, "chattering like a magpie" refers to the incessant chattering of these birds.  They never shut up! 	In some places magpies are easily tamed and taught to talk.										These birds construct large, hooded nests out of sticks. The inside is made with twigs and grass held together with mud.  The nest is lined with grass and other soft material.  These nests can be about two feet high and 12 - 14 inches in diameter.  They enter the nest through an entrance on the side.  The nest protects them from snow storms which occur in the higher elevations that they live in.  Usually seven to 10 gray eggs splotched with purple and brown are layed. 	Bird		Ligon, J. S., (1961).  New Mexico birds and where to find them.  Albuquerque, NM: The University of New Mexico Press.;  Zaphiris, P. (1997). <http://www.dsp.ee.ic.ac.uk/~cyprus/Cyprus/magpie.html>.;  Photograph:  .	285					Length:  17.5 - 21.5 in. (44 - 55 cm).	
Gila Topminnow				Poeciliidae	Poecilipsis occidentalis	Permanent aquatic.  Lives in springs, pools, edges, and backwaters of streams that usually have debris and aquatic vegetation.	Mosquitofish

	Omnivorous.  Enjoys aquatic vegetation, insect larvae, debris on the bottom, and crustaceans.		About one year in natural conditions.	The Gila Topminnow is a small, slightly long little fish with a tan to olive colored body, darker on the top and whiter on the bottom.  It has a small head and a small, upturned mouth with lots of teeth.  The scales are large and the back fin, called the caudel fin, is almost in a square shape!  The female is larger than the male and the male will turn very dark in color during mating season.   	The fish in this family, Poeciliidae, are often used for aquariums.  	The Gila Topminnow has become extinct in many water areas where the Mosquitofish has been introduced.  Though both types of fishes eat mosquito larvae, the Mosquitofish is stronger and will eat the Gila Topminnow too!  However, when the Gila Topminnow is introduced in areas free from Mosquitofish, they will thrive.										Gila Topminnows are livebearers.  The breeding season usually lasts from January to August, but some breed all year long.  In April or May, the feamle will have a brood of about 1 - 15 babies.  If the adult female has a second brood, it will usually be about 24 to 28 days later. 	Fish	thgilatopminnow.jpg	MacMahon, J.A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides. New York: Knopf.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The Fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Minckly, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game & Fish.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph: John Rinne.	287	The Gila Topminnow mostly feeds at the surface, using its upturned mouth to scoop up a large amount of larvae and other insects.  	gilatopminnow.jpg			Males: about 1 in. (2.5 cm)  Females: 1 - 2 in.  (3 - 5 cm)	
Grass Carp	White Amur			Cyprinidae	Ctenopharyngodon idella	Permanent aquatic.  It prefers to live in large rivers and creeks and can adapt to reservoirs and ponds.		Mostly herbivorous, eating aquatic vegetation.  The young will also eat plankton.  If the vegetation is scarce, grass carp have been known to eat invertebrates and small fish.		May live up to 15 years.  	The grass carp is a large fish with olive-brown on its back and silvery sides.  It has a long, roundish body that grows very large.  It has a broad head, and a large mouth.  The scales are also large and the fins are short and rounded.	Originally, this fish came from China and the River Amur, as well as the flatland rivers of eastern USSR.  The grass carp has been introduced in many places around the world, including the United States, to control excessive growth of vegetation.  It is also a valuable food and sports fish to many people.	The grass carp can eat more that its own weight in plants in one day!  Sometimes it eats all the vegetation in an area and the other fish and waterfowl have no place to live!  So the numbers and sizes of grass carps are often regulated to avoid that problem.  	Up to 100 lbs. (45.4 kg)									Spawning occurs during the spring and summer and the eggs are carried downstream by the current.  About 800,000 eggs incubate in 16 - 60 hours.	Fish		Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The Fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the World. New York: Macmillan.;  Minckley. W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game & Fish.;  Photograph:  .	288	Grass carp tend to live in "schools" of fish.  They spend their time eating all kinds of aquatic plants.				Up to 49 in. (125 cm)	
Striped Bass				Percichthyidae	Morone saxatilis	Permanent aquatic.  Striped bass prefer to live in large streams, lakes, and resevoirs.		Omnivorous. As a young fish, it prefers to eat zooplankton, crustaceans, and insect larvae.  As an adult, its diet will include fish, such as the Threadfin Shad and Gizzard Shad.			The striped bass has a long, slender body with an olive to blackish blue back. It has a whitish belly, and the sides are silvery, with seven or eight horizontal dark stripes. The mouth is large and the lower jaw sticks out a little.  It has tiny teeth and two parallel patches on the tongue.  	The striped bass is native to more coastal waters but has been introduced to freshwater habitats all over the country.  It is an important game fish, considered a "Trophy Fish" in many areas.  It's also a delicious food source. 	The striped bass is vary adaptable to new waters.  It can live in salt water or freshwater.  In fact, when this fish lives in salt water, it will travel to freshwater to spawn.  	Up to 125 lbs.   (56.7 kg)									Spawning occurs in large, turbulent, freshwater streams from spring through summer.  The eggs are spread out near the surface of the turbulent water.  This is necessary to keep the eggs floating on top where they get oxygen.  If these eggs settle to the bottom they usually suffocate and die.  Many eggs are layed at one time, from 11,000 to 3,000,000, and they hatch in 2 - 3 days. 	Fish	thstripedbass.jpg	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., & Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game & Fish.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph:  1. Don Flescher 2. Daniel W. Gotshall.  	289		stripedbassnew.jpg			Length: up to 6 ft. (182 cm)	
River Carpsucker	Sucker			Catostomidae	Carpiodes carpio	Permanent aquatic.  Prefers the quiet, backwaters of large rivers, creeks, and lakes with lots of vegetation.		Detritivorous.  Feeds on silt and debris, as well as algae, protozoans, and small crustaceans.			Although this fish resembles the common carp and smallmouth buffalo, the difference is that it has no barbels!  The river carpsucker has a slightly long body that is greenish brown, with silvery sides and a yellowish white belly.  It has a small mouth with thick lips that are white or silvery.  The head is small and the snout is round. The body has large scales everywhere except on the head.	This species is considered a "trash fish" in many parts of the United States.  It has some food value, but is very hard to catch.  	In some places it is called a "cold water buffalo" because it has a hump on its back like its cousin the smallmouth buffalo fish.  	2 - 10 lbs. (0.9 - 4.5 kg)									The river carpsucker spawns in the spring.  Over 100,000 eggs are spread out over sand and silt and then left alone.  The eggs then incubate in 3 to 15 days.	Fish	thrivercarpsucker.jpg	Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.;  Photograph: Mr. Charles Purkett.	290	River carpsuckers travel in schools foraging and feeding on large amounts of food. 	rivercarpsucker.jpg			Up to 20 in. (51 cm)	
Bluegill	Sunfish			Centrarchidae	Lepomis macrochirus	Permanent Aquatic.  The bluegill likes to live in lakes, ponds, and reservoirs, as well as moderately swift to calms waters of rivers and streams.	Larger bass fish. 	Omnivorous.  The blugegill enjoys a wide variety of food sources.  Some examples are zooplankton, algae, crustaceans, insects, smaller fish, and aquatic vegetation.			When young, the bluegill is silvery in color with dark vertical bars.  The adult bluegill is a very pretty fish.  The upper part of the body is dark olive or bluish green.  The sides are much lighter and very shimmery, reflecting many colors, especially in the blue family.  It also has six to eight dark vertical lines on the sides.  The mouth is small and there are bright, colorful "ear flaps" on the gill covers.  The belly is whitish.	The bluegill is considered to be a fun fish to catch for sports fisherman because it really puts up a fight!  It is an excellent food source and is grown in fishponds.  Various ponds and lakes are "stocked" for sports use and as food for larger fish. 	The bluegill fish will completely change its habitat location and food choice as it gets older.  When young, it prefers habitats that have lots of vegetation, while the older fish will prefer the open waters.  The bluegill will mate with other species of sunfish such as the longear sunfish and the green sunfish. The bluegill travels in "schools".	From 2 1/2 - 4 3/4 lbs.  (1 - 2.2 kg)									Spawning occurs from late May through mid August.  The eggs are layed in a nest that is a depression in shallow waters with a sandy bottom.  This nest is made and guarded by the males.  The males will make grunting sounds to attract the females to use their nest.  Nests are often made in colonies and shared by more than one female.  A female can produce from 2,000 - 49,000 eggs per year!  That's a lot of eggs!  These eggs will hatch in 2 - 3 days.   	Fish	thbluegill.jpg	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Fishes, Whales, & Dolphins.
New York: Knopf.; Koster, W.J. (1957). Guide to fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Wheeler, A. (1975). Fishes of the world. New York: Macmillan.; Photograph: Daniel W. Gotshall.  	291	The bluegill searches for food while appearing to float and stay in one place.  The male spends much time fanning out a circular nest with its fin.  	bluegill.jpg			Length: 5 - 12 in. (12 - 30 cm)	
Smallmouth Bass	Sunfish			Centrarchidae	Micropterus dolomieui	The smallmouth bass is found in streams and lakes with cool, clear water.  They prefer to hide in rocky areas that have lots of shade or cover.  Areas that have rocks, stumps, sunken trees, or crevices in the banks, are the place to find smallmouth bass.		Carnivorous.  Feeds on a variety of animals, insects, crayfish, and other fish.			The young smallmouth bass is close to jet black in color.  As it gets older, the body color is often dark olive or yellow green to pale olive brown.  The sides are often "mottled" with dark and light splotches.  The sides also appear to have darkened vertical bars. 	The smallmouth bass is an important and fun sports fish.  It is a good food source as well. 	In smaller streams or pools, the smallmouth bass chooses a "home" pool and will live there for a very long time.  Even if it travels far from this "home" pool, it will find its way back.  	From 2 - 3 lbs. (1 - 1 1/2 kg)									Spawning occurs from late March to May.  A male will seek out a female and force her to a nest that is ready, by nudging and biting her.  The male will build the nest 1 - 4 days before spawning occurs.  The nest is a circular depression made in a shallow area of sand or gravel. The female may deposit eggs in more than one nest.  Anywhere from 2,000 - 21,000 eggs will be deposited into the nest.  Eggs hatch in 3 - 5 days.  After the eggs are layed, the female is driven away from the nest. The male takes over caring and guarding the nest.	Fish	thsmallmouthbass.jpg	Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona.  Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish.;  Koster, W.J. (1957). Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph: John F. Scarola, Reproduced by permission from the New Hampshire Fish & Game.	292	Diurnal. Most actively feeds at dusk and dawn.  During the day, it seeks the shelter of pools or deep water.  They do little feeding in the winter.	smallmouthbass.jpg			Length: 7 - 10 in. (18 - 25 cm)	
Black Crappie				Centrarchidae	Pomoxis nigromaculatus	Permanent aquatic.  The black crappie is found in clear, quiet ponds, lakes, and large rivers.  It prefers cool, clear waters.  In lakes it likes to hide in the weeds, tree stumps, and in deep water holes, 30 - 40 feet down.		Carnivorous.  Its favorite food is small fish, especially the gizzard shad.  It also enjoys eating insects, tiny crustaceans, and other invertebrates.		5 to 8 years.	The body color of the black crappie is greenish with silvery green sides and dark green to black splotches scattered about.  The difference between the black crappie and other crappies is that it has more fins and no dark, vertical lines.	A popular "panfish", the black crappie is a good food source as well as a fun game fish, sought out by fisherman.  	The black crappie is considered the twin of the white crappie because fisherman usually can't tell them apart.  The differences are in the number of fins, the body color, and size. 	About 1/2 lb - 3 lbs.  (0.23 - 1.4 kg).									Spawning occurs in late spring and early summer.  The nest is constructed in gravel or sandy areas and in shallow water.  It is made and guarded by the male.  The female may mate with several males during spawning season.  Anywhere from 3,000 - 188,000 eggs will be layed in the nest and will hatch in 2 - 3 days.	Fish	thblackcrappie.jpg	Dalrymple, B. (1981). Complete guide to game fish. New York: Outdoor Life Books.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.; Photograph: Daniel W. Gotshall.  	293	Nocturnal. The black crappie prefers to start feeding about dusk and well into the night.   It prefers to travel in "schools".	blackcrappie.jpg			Length: 5 - 16 1/2 in. (12 - 41 cm).	
Threadfin Shad				Clupeidae	Dorosoma petenense	Permanent aquatic. The threadfin shad inhabits large lakes and rivers that have a moderate flowing current.  	Almost all game fishes.  Some examples are largemouth bass and the crappies.	Carnivorous and detrivorous.  Threadfin shad feed on plankton and algae as well as organic debris found on the bottom of the lake or river it inhabits.  Adults will also eat fish larvae. Sand is often ingested too, and may serve as a grinding function in the stomach.		Rarely more than 2 or 3 years.	The threadfin shad has a rather short body with a dark slate-gray to bluish-black back. The sides and belly are a silvery color. It has a dark spot just behind the eye and gill area.  The fins are yellowish.  During breeding season, the males become a yellowish color.	This fish is attracted to artificial lights.  As a result, fisherman will use lights at night to attract the threadfin shad to their fishing lines.  This fish have been introduced into many water areas as a food source for more desirable game fish.	The threadfin shad is very sensitive to cool temperatures, and below 54 degrees F (12 degree C) has a hard time swimming or traveling in "schools". Additionally, it can't tolerate water temperatures below 41 degrees F (5 degrees C).  When the water gets very cold, it usually tries to find warmer water near the shore.  Many die if they get caught in cold water.										Spawning occurs in spring and early summer.  The eggs are released by the females and will attach to grasses and other objects that may be there.  Eggs hatch in 4 to 5 days.  When a female is ready to spawn, she will move away from the "school" she is traveling with and head towards the shore.  She is followed closely by 2 to 20 males who appear to "harass" the female.  As the female gets close to the area she has pre-picked to lay her eggs, she will begin violent, side to side movements, which often throws any males that are near her out of the water!  Her movements and splashing continues for about five more seconds.  Then she will either join the "school" again, make a circle and spawn again, or will just stay along the shore line and find a new place to spawn.  	Fish		Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph:  .	294	Diurnal and nocturnal.  The threadfin shad usually congregates in "schools" over deep water during the daylight hours, but moves into shallower areas after dusk for feeding. It occasionally feeds on debris located on the bottom.				Length:  4 in.   (10 cm)   Females are usually longer than males.	
Longfin Dace	Minnow			Cyprinidae	Agosia chrysogaster	Permanent aquatic.  Likes to live in small, warm desert springs or even cooler mountain brooks.  The bottoms have sand or gravel.	Fish eating birds and mammals.	Omnivorous & detrivorous.  The longfin dace primarily feeds on detritus, as well as aquatic invertebrates, algae, and insects.  		Less than 3 years	The longfin dace is a very tiny fish, with a blunt head.  The body color is a dark olive-gray with a dark stripe along the sides, ending in a darker spot.  The belly is whitish.  It has small scales and very small barbels at the corner of the jaw.	An excellent fish to catch in large numbers.  These fish are then shipped to market to be sold as "bait fish".	The longfin dace is a very adaptable fish and is native to the deserts of the Southwest.  Many streams in the desert will occasionally dry up having no water flow.  Some longfin dace will die, but many will survive in tiny side pools or in the moist sand.  When the water returns, the survivors just carry on with their day!										The longfin dace has a long spawning season from December to July and sometimes into September.  Little saucer shaped depressions are made in fine sand and are used as nests.  Many nests are made close to each other.  The male swims back and forth over the nest area, guarding and waiting for the female.  The female enters the nest while being escorted by one to four males.  She lays the eggs and then leaves.  The male continues to guard the nest.  Eggs hatch in less than four days.	Fish	thlongfindace.jpg	Koster, W.J. (1957). Guide to the fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J.A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona. Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game & Fish.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M.  (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.; Photograph: Dr. William N. Roston.	296	Mostly nocturnal.  It will swim and feed at night and in the early mornings, on the bottom or the surface.	longfindace.jpg			Length: 3 1/2 inches (9cm)	
Spikedace				Cyprinidae	Meda fulgida	Permanent aquatic.  Found in clear, medium to large sized streams that flow continuously.  The young are found in pools where the current is slow compared to the adults who like the current moderate to swift.		Primarily insectivorous, enjoying aquatic insects as well as non-aquatic insects.  Occasionally they will eat tiny fish. 		About 2 - 3 years	The spikedace has large round eyes and a long slender body.  The back is olive to brown in color and has dark splotches.  The sides are a metallic silver color with brown or black specks.  The belly is light.  Males turn a beautiful golden or bronze color during breeding season.	The habitat areas that this little fish lives in has been altered by man-made dams, the logging business, and "agrarian" practices.  However, the spikedace still survives.	This species is a native to the Gila River and its drainages in New Mexico. However, it has been displaced in many areas by the newly introduced Red Shiner.										Spawning occurs from mid March to May in shallow water.  The males will patrol the spawning area.  The female enters the area escorted by two males.  After the female lays the eggs (100 - 800) in the sand or gravel, the two males return to patroling and the female moves down stream.	Fish	thspikedace.jpg	Boschung, H.T. Jr., Williams, J.D., Gotshall, D.W., Caldwell, D.K., & Caldwell, M.C. (1997). National Audubon Society field guide to North American fishes, whales, & dolphins. NY: Knopf.;  MacMahon, J.A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M. (1990). The fishes of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Minckley, W.L. (1973). Fishes of Arizona.  Phoenix, Arizona: Arizona Game and Fish.;  Photograph: James E. Johnson.	297	Not too much information was found about their daily activities except that they search for insects to eat and at certain times of the year, they will eat the fry of other fish species.	spikedace.jpg			Length:  2.5  -  3 in. (6.3 - 7.5 cm)	
Northern Pintail	Pintail, Duck	Pato solondrino		Anatidae	Anas acuta	Nothern pintails inhabit permanent aquatic areas, ponds, grasslands near water, croplands, and  even sewage ponds.	Carnivores like coyotes and bobcat as well as raptors, including hawks and owls.	Northern pintails are herbivorous and insectivorous.  They primarily eat aquatic plants like wild celery as well as insects and mollusks.  On land it will forage for grasses and seeds.			The male pintail has a dark-brown head, white neck and a long black pointed tail. The female is mottled brown, with a gray bill and a shorter pointed tail.  They have gray, webbed feet.  The males has a higher-pitched voice than the female, uttering a high "dreep-eep" sound, while the female gives a low "quack".		The northern pintail is a very graceful duck and is the most abundant duck found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.  It is dependent on wetlands for breeding and food source.  Some habitats have been destroyed due to urban development.  It has the widest breeding range of all ducks.										Pintails will pair up in the fall and winter.  During the spring the pair migrates to the nesting ground.  A nest is a simple depression or hollow in the grass, sometimes far from water.  The female constructs the nest, lining it with sticks, grass, and finally soft down.  The female lays from six to twelve olive green eggs.  It takes them from twenty-two to twenty-three days to hatch.  The male is not involved in rearing the young.	Bird	thnorthernpintail.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.; Udvardy, M.D.F. (1988). The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	298	Northern pintails are diurnal.  They spend most of the day looking for food.	northernpintail.jpg			Length:  Male: 25 - 29 in. (64 - 74 cm).  Female: 20 - 22.5 in. (52 - 57 cm).	
Green Heron	Green-backed Heron	Sarceta verde		Ardeidae	Butorides striatus	Green  herons can be found in riparian areas such as lake margins, streams, ponds, and marshes.	Carnivores, including bobcats, foxes, and coyotes.  They are also prey of raptors like eagles, hawks, and owls.	Green heron are piscivorous.  These birds enoy eating small fish, frogs and small crustaceans.			The green heron is about the size of a crow.  It has a black cap and back with a white belly, grey wings, dark bill, and bright orange or yellowish legs.  The immature heron is a brownish color and has a yellow bill.  The voice on these birds is an explosive, rasping "skyow!"  They also make croaks, cackles, and clucks.		An astonishing activity that has been observed about the Green heron is the manufacturing of tools.  This bird has been observed carefully trimming oversized twigs to use as "spears". It moves slowly through the water stalking its prey, and then with lightning speed, stabs the victim with its twig or long sharp bill.  The Green heron also uses bait to get its food.  It will find live insects, berries, twigs, and discarded crackers, and cast them into the water.  Then it crouches and waits for the curious or hungry fish that comes to inspect the lure.  Green herons happen to be the second smallest in size of the herons.  										Green herons may nest in colonies or alone.  First the male crouches and snaps his bill, then fluffs his wings and begins hopping to attract the female.  The nest may be on the ground, but is usually found in trees.  The male brings materials while the female builds the nest.  The platform nest may be quite flimsy.  Both parents incubate the 3-6 smooth bluish-green eggs, and also share the task of caring for the young.	Bird		Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.; Ehrlich, P.R., Dobkin, D., Wheye, D. (1988). Birder's handbook.  New York: Simon & Schuster.;  Photograph:  .	299	Green herons are diurnal.  They are most active during the day, particularly in the morning.				Length:  15 - 22 in. (38 - 56 cm). 	
Greater Yellow Legs	Nicknamed "telltales," because they are quickly alarmed and scare off other shorebirds.	Patamarilla mayor		Scolopacidae	Tringa melanoleuca	Greater yellow legs prefers riparian areas such as  pools, lakeshores, marshes, ponds, and mudflats during migration, but open wet tundra and marshy ground in the breeding season.	Carnivores and raptors.	Greater yellow legs are piscivorous and insectivorous.  They mainly eat small fish, and enjoy insects and their larvae, and snails.			Greater yellow legs naturally get their name from their nice long yellow legs.  These birds are slender, gray-streaked waders with conspicuous white upper tail coverts.  They have long, slim, and slightly upturned bills.		These birds may line up together and drive schools of minnows into shallow water to feed more efficiently.								These birds take off quickly with their long legs extended behind.  They have deliberate wing beats and  they  light gently.		Greater yellow legs migrates to Canada where marshy areas are available to protect and feed the young. The nest is a depression in gravelly areas and filled with four buff-tan eggs with reddish-brown spots.  Incubation is done by the female only and lasts about 23 days.	Bird		Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A.(1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  . 	300	Greater yellow legs are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.				Length:  14 in. (35 cm).	
Killdeer		Chorlo tildio		Charadriidae	Charadrius vociferus	The killdeer is a curious bird.  It's habitat ranges anywhere from croplands and riparian areas, to urban areas.  You can find the killdeer in pastures, plowed fields, along riverbanks and and mud flats, to airports and golf courses.  	Carnivores and raptors, as well as reptiles.	Killdeers are primarily insectivorous.  They enjoy mainly insects, and occasionally they like to eat earthworms and snails.			The Killdeers upperparts are brown, and underparts are white, with two black bands on its breast.  It also has a very noticable black bill.		When a killdeers nest is approached by intruders, the killdeer mother will fake or pretend that she is badly injured, limping along the ground , dragging and flapping her "injured" wing and making a lot of noise. This wonderful acting job is done to lure any predators away from the eggs or young.  Unlike tree-nesting birds, the killdeer does not feed its young.  It will show its young how to pick at small insects to eat, but will not feed it.  At one time the killdeer was near to extinction, but a healthy population exists today.										The "nest" of the killdeer is not really a nest at all!  It is usually a shallow depression on the ground, referred to as a scrape.  The eggs are laid right on the bare ground and sometimes the parent will arrange bits of grass, pebbles, and stems around the eggs.  The Killdeer lays 3-5 eggs that are buff colored, spotted with brown.  Incubation is done by both the female and male bird, and lasts about 24-28 days.	Bird	thkilldeer2.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A.A. (1997).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Book of North American birds. (1990). New York: Reader's Digest.;  Wright. R.H. (1971). Curious ways of common birds. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard.;  Photograph:  G. Morris Southward.	301	Killdeers are diurnal.  They are most active during daylight hours.	killdeer2.jpg		The Killdeer is found throughout the Southwest.	Length:  9 - 11 in. (23 - 28 cm).  The killdeer is about the size of a Robin.	
Spotted Towhee				Fringillidae	Pipilo maculatus	Spotted towhees inhabit forest edges, thickets, and shrubbery.       	Brown cowbirds and ground predators.	Spotted towhees are insectivorous.  They enjoy eating insects, and also snack on fruits and seeds.			Male towhees have a black hood, back and tail, white wing bars, and brownish sides.  The females have a brown body instead of black.  Both sexes have red eyes.	It was once believed that the Eastern red-eyed towhee and the Western spotted towhee were to be distinct species.  They interbreed where they come in contact with each other, and are now considered the same species.	This bird hides in leaves and shrubs and is easily heard from a distance.  Listen for a scratching or thrashing sound from the movement of leaves which are being kicked behind in its search for food.  These active birds used to be called ground robins.										The spotted towhee builds a bulky nest in a ground depression or close to the ground in a bush.  The nest is made of leaves, grasses, and hair.  There are 3 - 5 eggs which are creamy, smooth and have chestnut specks.  Eggs hatch in 12 - 13 days.	Bird	thspottedtowhee.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian. 	302	Spotted towhees are diurnal.  They are most active during the daylight hours.	spottedtowhee.jpg			Length:  7 - 9.5 in. (17 - 24 cm).	
Scott's Oriole		Bolsero tunero		Icteridae	Icterus parisorum	Scott's orioles can be found in pinyon-juniper woodlands of montane semidesert areas, in  yucca trees or palms in deserts, and in sycamores or cottonwoods in canyons.		Scott's orioles are both insectivorous and nectivorous.  They enjoy eating insects, and berries.  For desert they have nectar from flowers.  They are also fond of desert fruits like the saguaro fruit.			Male orioles have bright, lemon-yellow underparts, a black back, head, throat, wings, and most of the tail.  Females are grayish-green, streaked above; while her underparts are lime-yellow.		For the first year of the male orioles life, he resembles the female, but with small, faint black throat and bib.  When feeding in the treetops, the orioles never flutter among the limbs like most birds, but instead creep from one level to another.  Thier slow deliberate movements are not visible to untrained eyes.										Scott's orioles nests are made of interwoven grasses, that are attached to leaves of yucca or outer branches of trees.  There are from two to four eggs which are pale bluish-white with grey, black or brown markings.  Incubation is done by the female only, and lasts about 14 days.	Bird	thscott_oriole.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  . 	303	Scott's orioles are diurnal.  They are most active during the daytime.	scott_oriole.jpg			Length:  6.5 - 8 in. (17 - 20 cm).	
Bullock's Oriole	The Bullocks oriole and the baltimore oriole are now considered one species called the Northern Oriole.	Bolsero calandria		Icteridae	Icterus galbula	Bullock's orioles prefers open woodlands  and shade trees.  The American elm was a favorite tree to these birds before its decline.		Bullock's orioles are insectivorous.  They enjoy eating insects, and they also like fruit.			The Bullock's Oriole has a black head, back, and tail.  Its cheeks and eyebrows are orange, and the male has a large white wing patch, while the female has whitish underparts.  The voice of these birds is a clear, flute-like whistle sound.	The Bullock's oriole and the baltimore oriole were once believed to be seperate species.  In the mid-1980's ornithologists concluded that they were one species, and brought them together under a new name: the Northern oriole.	The major league baseball team the Baltimore Orioles, got their name and team colors from this neatly dressed bird.  The bird originally got its name in honor of George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, a 17th-century nobleman whose coat of arms bore the same striking colors.										Bullock's orioles make beautiful nests that are shaped like bags, made of plant fibers, bark, and string.  They hang from the very tips of branches.  The oriole lays 3-6 eggs that are pale bllue, scrawled with black and gray.  Incubation is done by the female only, and lasts 12-14 days.	Bird	thbaltimoreoriole.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Readers Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian. 	304	Bullock's orioles are diurnal.  They are most active during the daytime.	baltimoreoriole.jpg			Length:  7 - 8.5 in. (18 - 21 cm).	
Hog-nosed Skunk	"Rooter Skunk"			Mustelidae	Conepatus mesoleucus	The hog-nosed skunk lives in the rocky areas of  foothills, brushy areas, and grasslands.		Omnivorous.  The favorite food of the hog-nosed skunk is insects, but it also enjoys eating reptiles, arachnids, mollusks, small mammals, and vegetation.			The hog-nosed skunk is basically black and white in color. The top of the head, back, and tail are white.  The lower portions of the body are black.  Its short hair is very coarse and dull, not shiny like other skunks. It gets its name from the shape of its nose. It has a long snout that is smooth and hairless on top with a broad nose pad, similar to a pig or hog.  Males are larger than females.	Like other skunks, you don't want to get it scared or it might spray you with a chemical from a gland that smells really bad!  Its habitat is becoming threatened by civilization moving in on it.  If banished from its rooting ground, it may not be able to adapt to a new, unfamiliar habitat.	The name "rooter skunk" has been given to the hog-nosed skunk because of the way it uses its flat, broad nose to dig in search of insects.  You can usually tell that a hog-nosed skunk has been there, when you see a lot of patches of ground all torn up and pitted by their "rooting".  It lives and breeds in dens, which are made in rocky crevices.  It is not an abundant species.	From 5 - 10 lbs. (2 - 4.5 kg).								Similar to the "striped skunk" except that the toeprints in the forefeet are longer.	Mates in March and has 2 to 4 young in April or May.  These babies are born in a den located in a rocky crevice.  The young are weaned in August.	Mammal		Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications.;  MacMahon, J.A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Whitaker, J.O. Jr.(1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  .	307	Like other skunks, the hog-nosed skunk is active all year long. Though mostly nocturnal, you may see it searching for food in the day during winter time. 				Length: 20 - 36 in.  (51 - 91 cm).  Tail: 6 - 16 in.  (15 - 41 cm).	
Red Tailed Hawk		Aquililla cola roja		Accipitridae	Bueto jamaicensis	Red tailed hawks inhabit plains, farmlands, deserts, and open woodlands.	Coyotes, bobcats, foxes or other carnivores.	Red tailed hawk are carnivorous.  Their meals consist of  mice, rats, rabbits, and occasionally reptiles and birds.  The hawk soars until it finds prey.  It then dives and strikes the victim with a great deal of force.  This causes its feet and legs to contract and drive its talons deep into the prey.  The sharp beak is not used to kill, but rather to tear flesh from its food.			The adult hawk is a large stocky bird that is dark brown with a whitish breast and a rust-colored tail.  The immature hawks are similar, but are more streaked, and lack the rust-colored tail.	All across North America, people know this large, handsome bird of prey with the chestnut-colored tail.  Farmers welcome it because it eats rodents that eat their crops.	The hawk eats some fur, scales or feathers while stripping the skin off of its prey.  It later regurgitates this undigestible material as a pellet.								The hawk is a weak flier which spends most of its time soaring while searching for prey.		Beginning in mid-February red tailed hawks build  a nest that is constructed by both sexes.  The nest is a solid mass of sticks and twigs.  Females lays 1-4 slightly marbled eggs which hatch in about 30 days.  The male forages for food for himself and the female.  The young are blind when hatched and require constant attention.  The female feeds the young by tearing off bits of meat for them.  	Bird	thredtailhawk.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	308	Red tailed hawks are diurnal.  They are most active during the day when they hunt for their prey.	redtailhawk.jpg			Length:  18 - 25 in. (46 - 63 cm).  Wingspan:  48 in. (121 cm).	
Canyon Towhee	Brown Towhee	Toqui pardo		Fringillidae	Pipilo fuscus	Canyon towhees inhabit southwestern lowlands, desert scrubland, shady underbrush, riparian areas, open woodlands, & suburban gardens.		Canyon towhees are both herbivorous and insectivorous.  They especially enjoy eating seeds, but supplement their diets with insects.			The canyon towhee has a grayish-brown body with a dark chest spot.  The throat is faintly streaked, and the tail is brownish underneath. It has a cap that is reddish-brown in color.  It has a song that is a series of squeaky "chips" on the same pitch that will accelerate into a rapid trill.  Their call is a sharp "chink" and a thin "tseeee".		Canyon towhees mate for life.  They often bounce backwards while overturning leaves in search of food.										Canyon towhees mate from March to September.  They construct a bulky nest made of grasses and twigs in a low bush or tree.  In about 12 days, 3-4 light, bluish-green eggs with reddish brown markings, will hatch.  The female incubates the eggs while the male sings a territorial song from a nearby perch warding off intruders.	Bird		Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.; MacMahon, J.A. (1977). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Photograph:  .	309	Canyon towhees are diurnal.  These birds are seen, because they spend most of the day quietly looking for food among chaparral bushes or garden cover. 				Length:  8 - 10 in. (20 - 25 cm).	
Rio Grande Turkey		Guajolote norte–o		Meleagrididae	Meleagris gallopavo	Turkeys inhabit open woodlands, brushy forest edges, and wooded swamps.	Great horned owl, eagles, mountain lion, coyote, bear, bobcat, fox and other carnivores.	Rio Grande turkeys are insectivorous.  Not only do they eat insects, but they enjoy seeds, nuts, and berries as well.			The Rio Grande turkey has a dark, metallic bronze color with black barrings.  The head and neck are naked, and the tail is broad and fan-shaped.  Females are smaller, more slender, and paler than the males.  Turkeys have a number of clucks and yelps, as well as the familiar "gobble." 	For a time, intense hunting seemed to be driving the turkey to extinction, but with habitat management, controlled hunting seasons, and careful reintroductions, it has again become fairly common in many parts of its former range.	Benjamin Franklin once suggested that this species should be our national bird, by pointing out that the bald eagle is principally a carrion feeder.  Althought well known to the American Indians and widely used by them as food, certain tribes considered these birds stupid and cowardly and did not eat them for fear of acquiring these characteristics.  	20-30 lbs.							Slow and akward, prefers to run.		Male turkeys collect several females.  Nesting begins in March and April.  Nests are usually laid in leaf-lined depressions on the ground in woods, often near the edge of the clearing.  8 - 20 white or buff colored eggs, with brown or red markings are laid.  Incubation is done by the female only and lasts for about 28 days. 	Bird	riograndeturkey_thumb.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.;  Knopf, A. A.  (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Alfred, A. Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph: Dan Brooks. 	310	Rio grande turkeys are diurnal.  They are most active during daylight hours.  	riograndeturkey.jpg			Length:  Males  48 in. (122 cm); females  36 in. (91 cm).	
Red-Winged Blackbird		Tordo sargento		Icterinae	Agelaius phoeniceus	Red-winged blackbirds inhabit marches and grasslands.  		Red-winged blackbirds are insectivorous.  They enjoy eating insects and seeds.			Red-winged blackbirds are jet black with bright red wing patches.  The female is brown with a pinkish throat, dark streaking and a light-colored stripe above the eye.	Farmers consider blackbirds to be pests, because they go after the grain in the fields.  However, they are actually a farmer's friend since they also consume insects in the fields.	The male, red-winged blackbird resembles no other North American bird.  										Red-winged blackbirds are very territorial.  Males attract females by displaying their wings and tails in various positions.  Females build nests in loose colonies of cattails, rushes, bushes, or grassy areas.  3 - 5 pale blue marked with zigzag lines of brown or blackish eggs are layed.  Females incubate the eggs for 10 - 13 days.	Bird	redwingedbbird_thumb.jpg	Davis, B.L. (1977). A field guide to birds of the desert Southwest. Houston, TX: Gulf.; Photograph: Dan Brooks. 	311	Red-winged blackbirds are diurnal.  They are most active during daylight hours.	redwingedbbird.jpg			Length:  7 - 9 in. (17 - 23 cm).	
American Coot		Gallareta americana		Rallidae	Fulica americana	American coots inhabit riparian areas.  They can be found in ponds, marshes, and lakes.  In the winter, this bird can be found in saltwater bays, park ponds and also in fields.		American coots are omnivorous.  These birds enjoy eating small aquatic animals, mollusks, and insects.  They also come out on land to feed on seeds, grass; and sometimes eggs of other birds.			The American coot is a duck like bird that is slate-gray in color, overall, with the head and neck slightly blacker.  The coot has a very noticeable white bill.  Big lobed feet allow the coot to be an excellent swimmer.  The coot also makes a variety of calls ranging from cackles and grunts to harsh notes.	The American coot happens to be a gamebird.  For those of you who enjoy hunting, the coot may be hunted during open season that is regulated by each of the states or provinces.	American coots have lobed feet which serve several purposes.  One purpose is to conduct heat out of its body by immersing their feet in water. They also defend their breeding and feeding territories by charging at other birds and running across water.  Their lobed feet help them to do this, though they do not look very graceful.  Most often, these birds can be tamed when you feed them your bread scraps.  During breeding season, these birds may build up to nine nests and then chose only one for eggs.  Occasionally, female coots will lay eggs in another bird's nest.										American coots nests are made up of dead leaves and stems of marsh plants.  The nest is usually on the water but anchored to a clump of reeds.  The coot can lay between 8-22 eggs, that are buff or pinkish in color with dark marks.  Both the male and female sit on top of the eggs for about 21-25 days.  The baby birds leave their nest 7-8 weeks after hatching.	Bird	thamericancoot.jpg	Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest. (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	312	American coots are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	americancoot.jpg			Length: 13 - 16 in. (33 - 40 cm). 	cootbn.jpg
Northern Shoveler	Spoonbill (used by gunners).	Pato cuchar—n norte–o		Anatidae	Anas cypeata	Northern shovelers inhabit riparian areas.  They spend summers on marshes, shallow ponds and lakes.  In the winter, the shovelers also enjoys salt bays.		Northern shovelers are both insectivorous and omnivorous.  They enjoy eating aquatic insects and other invertebrates.  Shovelers also eat seeds and aquatic plants.			The male Shoveler has a dark green head; white breast; and reddish-brown flanks.  The female Shoveler is streaked brown with pale blue wing patches.  Both male and female have pale blue shoulder patches.  The Shoveler has a very distinctive bill.  It is very long and widens at the tip making it look like a shovel.  On the female Shoveler, the bill is gray on top and orange along the opening.  These birds may make low croaks, cluck, or quack.	Although this bird is widely hunted, it is rarely eaten.	The Northern Shoveler is one of the first ducks to arrive in the fall and the last to leave in the spring.  When the Shoveler feeds, it strains water through comblike teeth that are along the sides of it's bill.  Because it often feeds in stagnant ponds, it is particulary susceptible to botulism, a fatal bacterial food poisoning.										Northern shovelers nests are found on land about 100 yards from the nearest water.  They are made of a down-lined cup of grass hidden in the ground.  The female Shoveler lays anywhere between 6 - 14 eggs that are pale-olive or greenish in color.  Incubation lasts about 26 days, and is carried out by the female only.	Bird	thnorthernshoveler.jpg	Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Stokes, D., & Stokes, L.  (1996).  Stokes field guide to birds.  Canada: Little, Brown and Company.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	313	Northern shovelers are diurnal.  They are most active during daylight hours.	northernshoveler.jpg			Length:  17 - 20 in. (43 - 51 cm).	
Whooping Crane		Grulla blanco		Gruidae	Grus americana	Whooping cranes inhabit riparian and dessert grassland & shrubland areas.  In the summer, whooping cranes enjoy freshwater marshes, and spends winters on coastal prairies.		Whooping cranes are omnivorous.  They feed in shallow water or mudflats eating crabs, shrimp, clams, and snails, as well as amphibians, reptiles, and plant parts.			Adult whooping cranes are white, with black wing tips and markings on their forehead and cheeks.  The young crane is similar, but the head and neck are brown and they lack the adult facial markings.  The crane is very tall, long-necked, and long-legged.  The voice of the whooping crane is a trumpet-like call that can be heard for several miles.	Cranes are birds of the superlatives.  To understand why, just look at the whooping crane, a bird to inspire awe in the eye and heart of any beholder.	The whooping crane is the tallest and heaviest of North America's wading birds, and it also has one of the world's strongest windpipes-- a five-foot-long tube that produces its distinctive call that can be heard for several miles.  The whooping crane is very rare and endangered in the U.S. and Canada.  Only about 200 birds are alive.  To help increase the population, whooping cranes eggs are placed in a sandhill cranes nest and these parents raise the whooping crane young.								The whooping crane can fly so low that its wingtips brush the grasses and aquatic plants as it passes over.  Yet it can fly too high to be seen from the ground.		The whooping cranes nest is a mound of wetland plants and grasses that is found in shallow water or on dry ground.  1 - 3 eggs can be layed by the crane.  They are a creamy buff color with dark marks.  Both male and female participate in the incubation period that lasts 33 - 35 days.	Bird	thwhoopingcrane.jpg	Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Stokes, D., & Stokes, L. (1996).  Stokes field guide to birds.  Canda: Little, Brown and Company.;  Photograph:  Phil Zwank.	314	Whooping cranes are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	whoopingcrane.jpg			Length:  45 - 56 in. (114 - 142 cm).  Wingspan:  90 in. (228 cm).	
Snow Goose		Ganso blanco		Anatidae	Chen caerulescens	Snow geese inhabit riparian areas and croplands.  They spend their summers on tundra, and winters on agricultural fields and wetlands.		Snow geese are herbivorous.  They dig up the roots and tubers of aquatic plants.  They also feed on grasses and grains.			The Snow Goose is white, with black wing tips.  The bill and feet are pinkish in color.  The voice of the snow goose is loud and nasal sounding.  It is a double-noted "houck-houck," in chorus.  In the west and along the Gulf Coast, snow geese are darker in color and are said to be the blue phase.  These geese are a dark gray color, with a white head and neck.		In the winter, snow geese migrate in large flocks that can number in the tens of thousands.  Until recently the two color phases of snow geese were considered seperate species, but it is now known that they interbreed where their ranges overlap.								Flocks of snow geese often fly in a U formation, not the familiar wedge of the Canadian geese.		Snow geese make their nests near the water.  The nests are usually lined with grass, stems, and down.  3 - 8 eggs, whitish in color, are layed and incubated for 22 - 25 days by the female only.	Bird	thsnowgoose.jpg	Knopf, A. A. (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Stokes, D., & Stokes, L.  (1996).  Stokes field guide to birds.  Canada: Little, Brown and Company.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	315	Snow geese are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	snowgoose.jpg			Length:  22 - 39 in. (56 - 76 cm).	
Southern and Red Imported Fire Ant				Formicidae (Ants)	Solenopsis xyloni and Solenopsis invicta	Southern and Red Imported Fire Ants can be found in lawns, agricultural fields, sandy grassy areas, in dead wood and in houses.	Other ants.	Southern and Red Imported Fire Ants are frugivorous and insectivorous.  They eat seeds, honeydew, various stored foods and other insects.		Queen fire ants may live several years. Workers are short-lived, perhaps living for only a few weeks or months. Metamorphosis complete ÷ egg, larval stages, pupa, adult.	Southern and Red Imported Fire Ants are small, dark yellowish-red ants, which readily sting and bite.  The waist has two knots. The two species are better distinguished by specialists. The Red Imported Fire Ant is more agressive and usually produces raised pustules when it stings. Premating queens and males have wings, and the workers are always wingless. Mouthparts chewing.  		Fire ants may be dangerous to people sensitive to venoms.   The Red Imported Fire Ant (Solenopsis invicta) came from South America and now seems to have become established in parts of the Chihuahuan Desert region.  This ant poses more economic threat than the Southern Fire Ant. Colonies can contain multiple queens.										Young queens and males emerge from colonies to mate after summer rains. Males usually die after mating; the queen goes on to start a colony.	Insect	thfireant.jpg	Venomous animals of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: David B. Richman (Red Imported Fire Ant). 	316	Southern and Red Imported Fire Ants are both nocturnal and diurnal.  They are most active during the day but may be active at night during summer.	fireant.jpg			Length:  workers are 1.5 - 6 mm; queens 6 - 7 mm.	
Paper Wasp	Umbrella Wasp.			Vespidae (Vespid Wasps)	Polistes sp.	Widespread.   Builds nests in trees, bushes, under roofs, in sheds, under overhangs.	Few.	Adults eat nectar.   Larvae are fed caterpillars of moths and butterflies.		Most live one year, including larval stages.   Only fertilized queens overwinter. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages, pupa, adult.	Medium sized yellow and brown wasp with dark wings. Mouthparts chewing. 		These are good biological control agents for caterpillars that eat garden plants.   Unfortunately they have a potent sting.   People stung several times may become sensitized to the venom.   Such people can develop anaphylactic shock with only one additional sting.  Nests should be destroyed if they are in areas frequented by people or pets.   <a href="/ddl3/images/insect/paperwasp2.jpg">Paper wasps on a nest</a>.										Females mate with males from other nests in the fall.   Males then die with the onset of winter.   Fertilized queens (called foundresses) overwinter and start new colonies in the spring.   Often they are joined by other fertilized queens that have for some reason not been able to found their own colony.   Usually only the foundress produces eggs.	Insect	thpolistes1.jpg	 Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals
 of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona,
 Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service.; Photograph:  David B. Richman. 	317	Diurnal. 	polistes1.jpg			Length:  most about 20 mm (4/5 inch).	
Two-Tailed Swallowtail				Papilionidae (Swallowtail Butterflies)	Papilio multicaudatus	Desert mountain canyons, sometimes down into valley and city gardens.	Mantids, large robberflies,large spiders, birds.	Adults feed on nectar.   Larva feed on a number of different plants , including Prunus (Cherry), Ptelea (Hoptree), and Fraxinus (Ash).		One year. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	The largest of North American Butterflies, this relative of the Tiger Swallowtail is bright yellow above, with narrow black tiger stripes and dark margins on the wings.  Two tails are distinctly visible in undamaged individuals. There is a red marking on the posterior inside hindwing margin and several blue crecent marks above this marking. Mouthparts sucking.  The larvae are green with eyespots on the thorax.  If disturbed they will extend forked orange scent glands (osmeteria)from behind their eyes.		These butterflies often visit thistles (Cirsium) and will sometimes be so involved that they can be approached readily.  										Mating takes place in the summer.   Yellow-green eggs are laid singly on the host plan.  	Insect	thtwo-tail.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.
 P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;
 Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New
 York: Knopf.;  Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.
 Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred
 common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University,
 Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.  	318	Diurnal.	two-tail.jpg			Wingspan:  up to 13 cm (over 5 in.).	
Bordered Patch Butterfly				Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)	Chlosyne lacinia	Fields, roadsides, mountains, desert hills, canyons, agricultural fields, pinyon pine and oak woodland, gardens.	Mantids, robber flies, spiders, birds.	Adults feed on nectar. Larvae feed on various members of the family Asteraceae, including Helianthus (Sunflower), Tithonia (Mexican Sunflower), Ambrosia (ragweed), and others.		Less than one year.  Usually several broods a year. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	The Bordered Patch has been called our most variable butterfly.  It is usually dark colored, marked with orange and white above and mostly white below.  Mouthparts sucking. The larvae are spiny and can be easily noticed as they skeletonize sunflower leaves.		This is one of the most abundant butterflies in the desert, grassland and low mountain Southwest.  										Several broods a year.   Females lay eggs on food plants.   Many eggs may be laid at a time and the ravenous caterpillars rapidly skeletonize the leaves.	Insect	thpatch2.jpg	Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;  Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.;  Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	319	Diurnal.  Found during much of the year, except the coldest months of winter.	patch2.jpg			Wingspan: about 45 mm (1 4/5 in.).	
Variegated Fritillary	Claudia			Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)	Euptoieta claudia	Desert and desert grassland.	Mantids, robber flies, spiders, birds. 	Adults feed on nectar.  Larvae probably feed on a variety of food plants, including wild flax, violet, purslane, plantain, and passion vine.		Several broods a year.  Adults probably usually live less than a year, although they can overwinter. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	The adult butterfly is mostly tawny, with dark spots.  There are no silver spots on the under wings (as are found in the Gulf Fritillary, which is also usually bright orange above.)Mouthparts sucking.  Larva with six rows of spines. 		This is one of the most abundant of the brush-footed butterflies in grassland and along bajadas in desert grassland. This butterfly has among the broadest host ranges known.										Mating during spring and summer.  Eggs are laid singly on host plant.   There may be several broods in a year.	Insect	thvariegated.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.
 P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;
 Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New
 York: Knopf.;  Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.
 Boston: Houghton Mifflin.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred
 common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University,
 Cooperative Extension Service.; Photograph:  David B. Richman.	320	Diurnal.	variegated.jpg			Wing span: up to nearly 60 mm ( 2.25 in.).	
Western Pigmy Blue				Lycaenidae (Gossamer-Winged Butterflies)	Brephidium exilis	Disturbed places, washes, alkali flats, railroad tracks and vacant lots.	Mantids, robber flies, spiders, birds.	Adults eat nectar.   Larvae feed on pickleweed, saltbush, pigweed, and Russian thistle. 		Several broods a year.   Probably most adults live less than a year. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	Our tiniest butterfly.  Orange or chockolate-brown above, with ultramarine blue toward the body and a white fringe along the wing edges.  Hindwing margin on underside with tiny iridescent blue-green centered black spots. Mouthparts sucking.  Larvae also tiny and pale green to cream, with yellow stripes and tiny brown bumps.		This is the smallest butterfly in North America and one of the smallest butterflies in the world.										Spring to fall.  Several broods.	Insect	thpigmy2.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.
 P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;
 Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New
 York: Knopf.;  Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.
 Boston: Houghton Mifflin; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A.,
 & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM:
 New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman. 	321	Diurnal.	pigmy2.jpg			Wingspan: 10-19 mm ( 3/8 - 3/4 in.).	
Desert Cottontail	Cottontail	Liebre de rabo blanco del desierto		Leporidae	Sylvilagus audubonii	The desert cottontail can live in desert grasslands, shrublands, and especially in areas where there is creosote bush.  It usually makes its home where there is some cover.  It will also take shelter in a burrow, but not one that it makes itself.	The desert cottontail has many predators.  In fact, it is said that every carnivore of at least half the size of the cottontail, as well as snakes, and large predatory birds (eagles, owls, etc) will choose the cottontail as a food source.	The cottontail is primarily herbivorous, eating grasses, mesquite, and cactus twigs, as well as woody plants, flowers, and many types of vegetables.		Average life span is 12 - 15 months.	The desert cottontail is a buff brown color on its upper parts and white below, with its nape being a rust color.  It has moderately long ears and long hind feet.  On its bottom it has a short, fluffy, "cottonball" tail, which is where it gets its name.	The desert cottontail can be both a pet and a pest to humans.  Many people raise cottontails as pets to keep in their backyard or to breed and get lots of rabbits.  People also raise them or hunt them for their tasty, white meat.  They can be a real pest to people who have vegetable or flower gardens, as the cottontail will quickly find this a delicious source of food.  However, they damage and destroy the gardens, as well as young trees and shrubs. As far as hunting goes for the desert cottontail, most states have a protected legal hunting season.  	This particular species of cottontail is the most common species. Desert cottontails molt (or lose their hair) twice a year, but still remain the same color when the new hair comes back. One rabbit will live its whole life in an area of ten acres or less, unless the food source becomes a problem.  Desert cottontails are really fast runners, running up to 15 mph!  This, along with a special "zig-zag" motion they do while running, helps keep them away from predators. They will do this back and forth running until they come to a burrow or bush to hide in.  Unlike other types of cottontails, desert cottontails seldom rest in shallow depressions, but will climb a sloping tree or bush to rest.    	From 1 - 3 lbs.  (0.45 - 1.36 kg).									The desert cottontail will have at least 2 litters of about 1 - 6 babies every year. After a gestation period of 26 - 27 days, the babies are born blind, hairless, and helpless.  They are born in a fur-lined nest, which is actually a shallow depression in the ground.  They leave this nest in 2 - 3 weeks.  	Mammal	thdesertcottontail.jpg	Davis, W.B. & Schmidly, D.J. (1994). The mammals of Texas. Austin: Texas Parks and Wildlife Press.;  Hygnstrom, S.E., Timm, R.M., & Larson, G.E. (1994). Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Washington, DC: United States Department of Agriculture.; MacMahon, J.A.(1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1982). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Whitaker, J.O. Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.  	322	Generally nocturnal, being most active at dusk and throughout the night, but sometimes are active in the day, if its not too hot.	desertcottontail.jpg			Length: 13.5 - 16.5 in.  (35 - 42 cm).	
Desert Shrew	Gray shrew	Arpia Desierto 		Soricidae	Notiosorex crawfordi	The desert shrew  lives in  desert regions, especially those with sagebrush and prickly pear cactus.  It is sometimes found in an old woodrat's nest or living under thick growths of cactus and other plants.	Owls are the desert shrews worst enemy.	Insectivorous.  The desert shrew enjoys eating insects and worms.		Most live less than one year, but they have been known to live up to two years.	Desert shrews are real similar to mice in looks and size except that they have a long, slender, pointy nose. Their body color is grayish brown on the top with pale gray color below.  The fur can lay forward or backward!  The tail is long with the same coloring as the body.  Ears are more noticeable than other types of shrews. Additionally, they have a continuous row of very sharp, orange colored teeth with only three unicuspid teeth (other shrews have five), little tiny eyes, and five clawed toes on both forefeet and hindfeet (mice have only 4 toes on their forefeet).	Not much is known about the desert shrew as they are very hard to find and watch!	The desert shrew is a very hard animal for scientists to find and watch because it is a very secretive animal.  What scientists do know is that it is the smallest natural mammal alive!  It is a very nervous animal and has such a high metabolism that it must eat constantly.  If it goes for more than half a day without eating, it could starve to death!  The desert shrew can exist solely on the water obtained from its food, for example, the soft, inner parts of large insects.  In its search for food its behavior can become so violent that it will attack and sometimes kill small rodents several times bigger than itself!  	About 0.2 oz. (4.5 g).									Not much is known about the breeding habits of the desert shrew, except that it breeds throughout the warmer months and has litters of about 3 - 5 babies.	Mammal	thdesertshrew.jpg	Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszyn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications.; Olin, G. (1982). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Whitaker, J.O. Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	324	This mammal is active both day and night, rarely stopping to sleep or breed.  It spends all its time searching for food and eating it!	desertshrew.jpg			Length:  less than 4 in.  (10 cm).  Tail:  1 in.  (2.5 cm).	
American Beaver	Beaver	Americano castor		Castoridae	Castor canadenis	The American beaver lives in riparian areas, prefering permanent rivers and streams, marshes, lakes and ponds.  It  lives in burrows dug in the banks of rivers or in a hollow at the top of a self-made dam or lodge.  	The worst predator the beaver has is the otter, but the gray wolf, coyote, red fox, and bobcat also prey on this animal.	The American beaver is herbivorous, and enjoys eating the bark on bushes and trees, especially aspen, birch, willows, and cottonwood trees.		20 years	The American beaver is a large, bulky aquatic rodent with a big, flat tail shaped like a ping pong paddle!  The dark brown fur is fine and soft.  It has a small rounded head with tiny ears.  Its hindfeet are large and black with 5 webbed toes.  It has large, dark orange front teeth called incisors.  A thick layer of fat under the skin provides insulation from cold water.	The beaver's fine, soft fur is highly prized and used commercially. In the early 19th century, beavers were trapped to use their fur for robes, coat trim, and top hats called "beavers".  Trapping was not regulated back then and many areas lost the beaver population.  A program was started by the Department of Game and Fish between 1947 - 1958 that restocked the beaver into riparian areas.  The main reason for this was to let the beaver help regulate water flow by building dams.	The American beaver is most famous for building dams and lodges.  The dams are made of sticks, reeds, and branches, caulked with mud. The beaver will also maintain the dam, and is alerted to a break in the dam by the sound of running water. The dome like lodges are built in the water and are 6 feet high by 40 feet wide! It has one or more underwater entrances and the beaver lives in a hollow near the top.  The beaver lives in these lodges in family groups and marks its family territory by creating large mounds of mud and sticks.  It then deposits scent from scent glands to mark its home territory.  When there is danger brewing, the beaver will slap its wide tail in the water warning the others.  Beavers are great swimmers, with their whole body submerged except their little head.  They can swim up to 6 mph and can stay underwater without a breath for 15 minutes!  Beavers comb its fur with its hindfoot and water proofs it with the oil from a scent gland. 	From 44 - 60 lbs. (20 - 27 kg).  Up to 86 lbs. (39 kg).								If its tracks have not been wiped away by the tail that drags, you might see a print of 3 or 4 of its 5 toes that spread out about 3 inches.  Its webbed hindfeet leave a fan-shaped track sometimes more than 5 inches wide.  The webbing is noticeable in sof	The American beaver is believed to have one mate for life.  They breed sometime in January and February and then in about 4 months, 1 - 8 "kits" will be born.  They are all furry and weigh about 1 lb.  Believe it or not, the kits will swim in about thirty minutes after they are born!  The young stay with the parents for about two years.	Mammal	thbeaver.jpg	Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszyn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications.; Findley, J.S., Harris, A.H., Wilson, D.E., & Jones, C. (1975). Mammals of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.; Whitaker, J.O.Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: With permission from the USDA Wildlife Services.  	325	The American beaver is mostly nocturnal, working through the night building dams and lodges, and searching for yummy trees to eat and use for construction.  When it finds a suitable tree, it gnaws around it, biting off the bark until the tree falls over.  It then trims off all the branches and carries them off to the site where it is building a dam!  The beaver will then eat some and store the rest for future use.	beaver.jpg			Length: 3 - 4 ft.  (91 - 122 cm).  Tail: 11.5 - 17.5 in. (29 - 44 cm).	beaverbn.jpg
Rock Squirrel		ardilla roca		Sciuridae	Spermophilus variegatus	The rock squirrel, as you might guess, lives in rocky areas such as cliffs, canyon walls, slopes, rock piles, and hills along highways.  This can be down in the desert or up in mountain forests.  They dig holes and live in dens deep into the rocks. 	Rock squirrels are hunted by many animals including the golden eagle, bobcats, ringtails, common gray foxes, ferrets, and rattlesnakes.	This squirrel in omnivorous enjoying a wide variety of plant and animal food sources.  Some examples are the fruit of juniper or mesquite trees, acorns, nuts, currants, all kinds of seeds from mesquite and agave, to various cacti.  It also likes to eat bird eggs and even carrion.			The rock squirrel has the special distinction of being the largest ground squirrel of its species.  Its body color is mottled on top with a grayish brown in front and a brownish black in back.  The underneath is whitish-pinkish in color.  It has a long, bushy tail that is brown and tan with white tips.  It communicates with a high pitched whistle.  If alarmed, it will whistle a loud, short call followed by a lower-pitched trill.	Can be damaging to crops and fruit trees.  It is a great climber and will scurry up to get at the fruit, especially apricots and peaches.  If you are camping and you start missing food, it might be the rock squirrel getting into your goodies.  They are not too shy to see what's around to eat. 	The rock squirrel is colonial, and one main male will be in charge of a den.  This male will let the female and young move around freely but will not allow other male squirrels near them.  It can climb trees and bushes almost as well as tree squirrels.  It is bushy in the winter and it will molt every spring. 	About 21 - 28 oz.  (about 1 kg).									The rock squirrel has about two litters a year with 3 - 9 young. The first litter is born from April to June, and the second in August or September.  The newborn is very tiny, weighing about 1/4 of an ounce!  It will nurse from its mother for around two months, but will start searching for food three days after its born!	Mammal	throcksquirrel.jpg	Olin, G. (1982). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Whitaker, J.O.Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: Debbie Franzoy.	326	The rock squirrel is considered diurnal, being most active in the early morning and late afternoon.  In real hot weather it will become dormant.  If this squirrel lives in cold country, it will hibernate during the coldest times, but in the southern parts it is always active.  The day is spent gathering food to eat right away, or to store for future use.	rocksquirrel.jpg			Length: 17 - 21 in.  (43 - 53 cm). Tail: 6.5 - 9.5 in.   (17 - 24 cm).	
Feral Horse	Assateague Pony, Mustang, 	Caballo Feral		Equidae	Equus caballus	The feral horse lives in a variety of places from desert grasslands to mountain forests.		The feral horse is herbivorous, feeding on grasses, saltbrush, rabbit bush, sagebrush, and greasewood.  It finds water from pools and tanks that haven't dried up.			There is nothing mysterious about the look of the feral horse as it looks just like what you think a horse should look like!  However, there is a difference in its hoofs.  This wild horse is related to the "odd toed hoofed mammals" group and has an uneven number of toes on each foot.  Its feet are a semicircle with uncloven (split) hooves.  It can come in many colors and as a formal description is a very large animal with a long snout, mane of hair, and long tail.  The male is called a stallion, the female is called a mare, and a young horse is called a foul. It also has strong communication skills such as: snorts to warn of danger, neighs for distress, nickers for communication and courting, squeals for mating, and screams for use in aggressive situations.  	The last native wild horses to this desert became extinct about 10,000 years ago, though their fossil remains are often found.  The feral horse has been introduced to many parts of the West to keep the species alive.  These wild horses are occasionally captured and auctioned off to the public for adoption.	The feral horse lives in either territorial groups consisting of males and females, or in a harem which consists of one or two males and five or six females.  These groups usually stay together and the males will defend its group from other males.  They also groom each other which is used as a social event.	Male: 795 - 860 lbs. (360 - 390 kg).  Female:  595 - 750 lbs.   (270 - 340 kg).								Semicircle, uncloven hoof print.	The feral horse reproduces about every other year from late spring to early autumn.  After a long pregnancy, about 11 months, one new foul is born, fully haired and with its eyes open.  It is a healthy eater, nursing milk from four to seven times an hour!  Nursing decreases as time goes on and will quit when a new foul is born.  	Mammal	thferalhorse.jpg	Findley, J.S., Harris, A.H., Wilson, D.E., & Jones, C. (1975). Mammals of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.; Whitaker, J.O.Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: Dan Brooks, New Mexico Game and Fish, and Doug Burkett.	327	The feral horse is basically diurnal, spending most of the day grazing for food.  It rests for just a little while and then grazes about half the night.	feralhorses.jpg			Height:  About 5 ft. (152 cm).  	
White-throated Woodrat	Pack rat, Trade rat			Muridae	Neotoma albiqula	The white-throated woodrat can be found almost anywhere from desert to mountain forests in New Mexico, Arizona, and Northern Mexico.   Look for them near prickly pear cactus, pinon and juniper trees and old dead trees.  May also be found in human dwelling	The white-throated woodrat has lots of predators.  Some of those include foxes, coyotes, bobcats, gopher and rattlesnakes, and during May and June, a blood-sucking kissing bug called a "walpai tiger" can be bad news for the woodrat.	This woodrat is herbivorous, enjoying a wide variety of grasses and shrubs, bark from small branches, mesquite beans, and prickly pear cactus, where it gets most of its water supply.			The white-throated woodrat is brownish gray on top with white or grayish on the underneath and tail.  It gets its name from the patch of pure white hairs located on its throat.  It has little white feet and big, dark brown eyes.  Its ears are large and hairless.  It has long, silky whiskers.  It can communicate with others by drumming its hindfeet.  	The white-throated woodrat actually has two nicknames given to them because of certain behaviors that have been observed about these rats.  They are often called "pack rats" because of the way they make their "home" nest.  This home, at first glance, looks like a pile of trash, but if you look real close you will see all kinds of interesting things inside.  The nest is carefully made with thick walls, woven of shredded bark or grass and lined with soft fibers.  In it you will see a number of things, for example; bottle caps, cowchips, paper clips, old newspaper, "little people", broken pencils, just about any kind of trash.  However, you might also find coins, and shiny jewelry too!  This is where the other nickname, "trade rat", comes from.  They love shiny things and have been observed finding a shiny object, taking it away, and putting a piece of twig, or other unshiny object in its place.  They trade for the shiny object!  If you find a pack rats nest near your home, you may find that pretty earing you lost a long time ago!	The white-throated woodrat is actually a very clean and organized little creature when it comes to its home. Its nest is a very important place and only one adult rat lives there.  Several rats may build their nests near each other, but they don't share homes.  It is a very good climber of spiny cactus type plants and will prefer to build its nest under a prickly pear or cholla cactus.  This serves as protection against most predators, except maybe snakes.  If there is no suitable vegetation around to live under, then it will make its nest in human habitats or rocky crevices, making an underground room.	Very light.  From 4 - 11 grams which is less than an ounce.								The hindfoot print is only 3/4 inches long with five toes, while the forefoot print is only 1/2 inch long with 4 toes.	Breeding occurs from January through September.  Two to three litters a year will produce from two to four young per litter.  There is a 38 day gestation period.	Mammal	thwhitethroatedwoodrat.jpg	Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszyn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications.; Davis, W.B. & Schmidly, D.J. (1994). The mammals of Texas. Austin: Texas Parks and Wildlife Press.;  Findley, J.S., Harris, A.H., Wilson, D.E., & Jones, C. (1975). Mammals of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Whitaker, J.O.Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photographs: Roger W. Barbour, ©The Smithsonian Institution.	328	This nocturnal rat is active all year long, foraging and keeping their home strong and tidy.	whitethroatedwoodrat.jpg			Length: 11 - 16 in.  (28 - 41 cm)   Tail: 3 - 7 in.    (8 - 18 cm).	
Cactus Mouse		raton cacto		Muridae	Peromyscus eremicus	Deserts, especially in rocky areas with cactus and yucca plants.  Makes nest in burrows within clumps of cactus, among the rocks, and in abandoned burrows of other small mammals.	The cactus mouse has many predators, from tiny shrews, to owls, to bears.	Herbivorous.  Its main source of food and water come from the seeds of desert annuals.  It also enjoys fruit and flowers of shrubs such as mesquite and hackberry, some green vegetation and occasionally insects. 			The cactus mouse is a very small mouse with its upper parts grayish buff in color and white below.  It has a long, lightly haired tail and large, nearly hairless ears.  It has white feet with naked soles on the hindfeet. The eyes appear black and it has long, silky whiskers.  It communicates by making tooth-chattering sounds, squeals, and single chits when it is in a fighting moods, is injured or is defending its nest.	Can be a pest and a problem in old barns sheds, and houses where they might make their nests.	This particular species of mouse favors the hot temperatures of the desert as it needs less water than other mice.  It hoards food in its nest for future use and makes its nest in clumps of cactus.  On really hot days or when food is in short supply, the cactus mouse becomes completely torpid.	Very light - only 5/8 - 1 3/8 oz. (up to 1 kg).									The cactus mouse will breed throughout the year and will have 3 - 4 litters each year.  Each litter produces about 1 - 4 young after 21 days gestation, and can be born anytime of the year.  The mother only has four milk glands (other mice species have six), so only four babies can be fed at a time.  	Mammal		 Davis, W.B. & Schmidly, D.J. (1994). The mammals of Texas. Austin: Texas Parks and Wildlife Press.; Findley, J.S., Harris, A.H., Wilson, D.E., & Jones, C. (1975). Mammals of New Mexico. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwestern deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Whitaker, J.O. Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mamnmals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph:  .	329	The cactus mouse is nocturnal and seldom seen unless its nest has been disturbed.  It will, however, be out and about year round, foraging and gathering seeds to store for future use.				Length: 6 - 9 in. (15 - 23 cm). Tail: 3 - 5 in. (8 - 13 cm).	
American Bison	Buffalo	Bisonte		Bovidae	Bison bison	Primarily lives in plains, prairies, river valleys, and open woodlands.  In New Mexico, the bison also live in open desert.		The American bison is herbivorous. It grazes on many types of grasses. It also eats berries, lichens, and horsetails.		25 years.	The American bison is the largest land animal in North America. It is dark brown and has a very shaggy mane and beard. Its tail is long, with a bushy tip. It has a big hump on its shoulders. The male American bison is larger than the female.  Both the male and female have short, black horns with pointed tips. The young bison is reddish-brown for about two or three months after birth. Then their color changes to that of adults.	Native Americans used bison as a source of food, clothing, and shelter. They used the sinew (tendons that hold muscles together) for thread and rope. Hooves were used in glues, and bones were fashioned into tools. The droppings provided fuel. Because of uncontrolled hunting, the bison population dramatically declined. Today, herds are maintained through efforts of the Department of Game and Fish and some private land owners. Bison are also bred in parks and zoos.	American bison live in herds of four to twenty individuals. Bulls stay with bulls and cows stay with their calves and other cows. During mating season, however, herds combine and number in the several thousands. Bison can run as fast as 32 mph. Bison like to wallow: This means laying down and rolling around in the mud or dirt.  This is done in a depression made by the animal. Bulls urinate on the dirt, making mud.  Then they roll around in it to cover themselves from insects. Later, bison may again wallow in a dried depression to help relieve itching and to rid insects (dust-bathing).	Male: 991 - 2,000 lbs. (450 - 900 kg).  Female: 793 - 1013 lbs.  (360 - 460 kg).								Large hoof tracks that look as a cloven heart. Similar to those of a deer, but larger.	Varies, but usually occurs from June to September. A cow can bear a calf after 9 or 9 1/2 months. Cows are in heat for only 24 hours. Bison can bear calves throughout life.	Mammal	thamericanbison.jpg	Burt, W.H. & Grossenheider, R.P. (1964). Field guide to mammals. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.; Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszyn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Treasure Chest Publications.; North American Wildlife. (1982). Pleasantville, New York: Reader's Digest.; Whitaker, J.O. Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.	330	Bison are diurnal, but are most active in the early morning and late afternoon.  Bison also roam at night. It rests in the heat of the day.	americanbison.jpg			Male:  Height: 6 ft. (183 cm). Length: 10 - 12 ft., 6 in.  (305 - 381 cm).  Tail: 17 - 19 in.  (43 - 48 cm).  Female:   Height: 5 ft.   (152 cm). Length: 7 -  8 ft.  (213 - 244 cm).  Tail: 12 - 18 in. (30 - 45 cm).	bisonbn.jpg
Sleepy Orange	Sleepy Sulfur, Nicippe Sulfur.			Pieridae (Sulfur Butterflies)	Eurema nicippe	Sleepy oranges can be found in low elevations along washes, bajadas, desert scrub, gardens and vacent lots.	Mantids, robber flies, spiders, birds.	Adult sleepy oranges are nectivorous.  They feed on nectar.  The larvae feed on wild senna and occasionally clover.		Aldults probably live normally less than a year.	Sleepy oranges are bright orange butterflies with heavy black borders to the wings and small dark streaks on the forewings. Mouthparts sucking. The larvae have short hairs and are green with black-bordered yellow stripes.		Sleepy oranges are probably one of the most abundant butterflies in the desert and desert foothills.										Sleepy oranges breed from spring through summer.	Insect	thsleepysulfur2.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.
 P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;
 Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New
 York: Knopf.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service; Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.
 Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:David B. Richman. 	331	Sleepy oranges are diurnal.  They are most active during the day from spring through fall.	sleepysulfur2.jpg			Wingspan: 30 - 50 mm (1 1/2 - 1 7/8 in.).	
Orange Sulfur	Alfalfa Butterfly			Pieridae (Sulfur Butterflies)	Colias eutytheme	Low lands, especially alfalfa fields.	Mantids, robberflies, spiders, birds.	Adult feeds on nectar.   Larva feeds on alfalfa and clover.		Probably less than a year. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult. 	Bright orange-yellow or occasionally white butterfly with dark margins on wings (in female the margins are spotted.)  There is a dark, rounded spot on the forewing and males especially have a darker orange spot on the hindwing. Mouthparts sucking. Larvae are green with a side stripe enclosing a red line.		One of the few butterflies that ever reaches pest status.   Larvae (and adults) can be very abundant in alfalfa fields, occasionally causing significant defoliation of alfalfa plants.										Probably throughout year if the weather is warm enough.	Insect	thorangesulfur2.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J.
 P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;
 Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New
 York: Knopf.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service; Tilden, J. W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies.
 Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	332	Diurnal.	orangesulfur2.jpg			Wingspan: 35 - 56 mm  (1 3/8 - 2 1/4 in.).	
Western Hooknose Snake	Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake			Colubridae	Gyalopion canum	Found in open woodlands, as well as desert grassland and shrubland.  These snakes are fond of the creosole bush, mesquite, and juniper-grassland, or pinyon-juniper associations.		Insectivorous, they enjoy eating spiders, centipedes, and scorpions.			Western hooknosed snakes get their name from their upturned and pointed snouts.  The hooknose is gray or brown colored with three or more irregular brownish-yellow crossbands on the body and tail.  The body is cylindrical and its scales are smooth.		When a hooknose feels threatened or touched, its body rotates wildly and makes popping noises by turning outward and retracting the lining of its cloaca (the chamber where the digestive, urinary, and reproductive systems empty).										Female lays a clutch of 1 - 3 eggs in June - July.	Reptile	thwhooknose.jpg	Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996).  Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM:  University Of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guide.  New York:  Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder. 	333	Nocturnal.  They are most active at night and evenings after a light rain fall, usually from April to September.	whooknose.jpg			Length:  7 - 14 in. (17 - 36 cm).	
Tree Lizard				Iguanidae	Urosaurus ornatus	Climbers who spend most of their time in trees and on rocks, found in mountain forests, and open woodlands.  They appear to be especially attracted to river courses.		Insectivorous, eat insects and spiders.			Tree lizards have a fold across the throat and a band of small scales that separate two bands of much larger scales down the middle of the back.  The scale between the eyes is divided.  The actual lizard is brown to gray, with dark crossbands and blotches.  The male has bright blue or blue-green belly patches and blue to yellow-orange throat patches.  The female has a whitish, orange, or yellow throat patch, and no belly patches.		These neatly patterned lizards are masters of camouflage and are able to blend in with a variety of backgrounds.										Female tree lizards lay multiple clutches of 1 - 13 eggs from April - September.  The hatchlings appear in July - late October, according to range.	Reptile	thtreelizard.jpg	MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	334	Diurnal.  Most often encountered in the morning or late afternoon in pairs or groups.	treelizard.jpg			Length:  Up to 5.4 in. (13.7 cm).	
Rio Grande Leopard Frog				Ranidae	Rana berlandieri	Rio grande leopard frogs can be found in grasslands, woodlands, and riparian areas.  They enjoy streams, rivers, springs, and pools along arroyos.  Waters can be permanent or temporary.		Rio grande leopard frogs are thought to probably be isectivorous; feeding on a variety of insects and invertebates.			Rio grande leopard frogs are a pale green color, with large dark spots that have a weakly developed light edging.  A light line may be present sometimes on the upper lip.		The genus Rana, is the sole representative of the family in New Mexico, and includes more than two thirds of the 650-odd species credited to the family.  At least six species of this diverse genus occur in New Mexico.										Seasonal rains stimulate breeding during any time of the year for this frog.  Egg masses are attached to submerged vegetation.	Reptile	thriograndfrog.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians and reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	336	Rio grande leopard frogs are primarily nocturnal.  They seek shelter under rocks and in thick streamside vegetation during the day, and becomes most active at night.	riograndfrog.jpg			Length:  2.25 - 4.5 in. (5.6 - 11.2 cm).	
Great Plains Toad				Bufonidae	Bufo cognatus	Great plain toads inhabit prairies or deserts.  They are primarily a grassland species, but frequently visits the creosote bush desert, mesquite woodlands, and sagebrush plains in the west.		Insectivorous, they eat insects and other arthropods.			The body of this toad is short and broad, and the skin of the upper parts is covered with small warts.  The back is brown or olive-gray with numerous white-bordered black spots.	These toads are seen as very helpful because they play a significant role in controlling insect population.	When in danger, great plain toads inflate their bodies, close their eyes, and lower their head to the ground, assuming a characteristic defensive attitude.  The voice of this toad is a harsh explosive clatter, that lasts 5-50 or more seconds long.  When these toads gather together in large numbers, their sound is almost deafening when heard at close range.										Great plain toads breed in permanent water, when available, or in temporary pools formed by heavy rain fall.  Egg strings are attached to debris on bottoms of pools.	Reptile	thgreatplains.jpg	Capula, M. (1989).  Simon & Schuster's guide to reptiles and amphibians of the world.  New York: Simon & Schuster.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards,turtles, frogs, toads and salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone Press.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	337	Primarily nocturnal, great plains toads spend the day inside burrows dug in the ground and only emerge at night or in rainy weather.  They are most active at night when they are mainly looking for food.	greatplains.jpg			Length:  2 - 4.5 in. (5 - 11 cm).	
Elk	"Wapiti"	Ante		Cercidae	Cervus elaphus	Open woodlands to mountain forests with riparian areas.  In the winter,  the elk will go down to the desert grasslands where it is warmer and food more abundant.	An elk doesn't have many enemies, probably because of its large size and quick speed.  However, the mountain lion will occasionally give an elk a hard time.  When an elk is still a calf, the black bear and coyote can be a problem.	Herbivorous and mainly a grazer.  Elk enjoy a variety of grasses, and fresh, new growth on bushes and trees.  			An elk is a very large animal that looks like a deer, only much bigger!  It has a thick neck and slender legs.  Its body is brown or tan on top, with the underneath being much darker.  It has a patch on its rump that is a creamy or yellowish-brown color.  The tail is the same color.  The male elk, called a buck or bull, has dark hair on the throat and very large antlers with many tines.  The antlers are shed every year and then grow back, even bigger than the year before!  When they grow back, they have a soft "velvet" on them which is shed during the mating season.  The female elk, called a cow, is smaller and has no antlers.  The very young elk is called a calf, and is spotted until about three months old.  Elk communicate with each other in different ways for different reasons.  General communication is done by squealing, snorts, and grunts.  Bulls will challenge other bulls by "bugling", which is a whistle sound that gets real loud and high pitched and then ends with a series of grunts. 	There is a lot of history and culture associated with the elk.  The elk is a highly desired big game animal, with its tasty, fat-free meat and "trophy" antlers.  In the past they were hunted for their two upper teeth which were used for "watch fob" charms.  At that time, hunting was unregulated.   For all of these reasons, the elk of today are protected and can only be hunted at certain times of the year.  Elk do a lot of damage to trees and crops, which is a problem in places where civilization has moved in.  For this reason, zoning laws have been established to help keep people and elk separated, to some extent.  Elk are also called "wapiti", which is a Shawnee Indian name meaning "white or pale deer", because of its light colored rump.	Elk live in herds with several bulls who have charge of groups of females called "harems".  Some herds can have up to 400 individuals and some harems may have up to sixty cows to one bull elk.  Bulls can run up to 35 mph and both the bull and cow are strong swimmers.  Elk are very territorial and will mark the trees in their area to warn other elk to keep out!  They mark the trees by stripping off the bark or chewing on the tree.  Bulls will also use the trees to rub the "velvet" off of its antlers. 	Male: 600 - 1089 lbs. (272 - 494 kg).  Female: 450 - 650 lbs. (204 - 295 kg). 								The elk's feet are shaped like cloven hearts that are similar to a cow but much larger and rounder.  When it walks the tracks of the feet may be 5 feet wide!	Elk have an interesting "ritual" to begin their breeding season which occurs from late August through November.  In autumn, a bull will call out a loud sound described as a "bugle" to announce that the "rut", or mating season, has begun.  Then he will roll in mud and stagnant water, then urinate on vegetation, which he then catches up in his antlers and tosses over his back.  Bulls will fight each other during this time, sometimes to the death, to take possession of a harem of cows. Finally, the bulls and cows get together, and nine months later, the cow will leave the herd to give birth to one calf that weighs anywhere from 25 - 40 lbs. After about one week, the cow will return with her calf to the herd.  The calf drinks only milk for the first month of its life.  Then it begins to graze vegetation, but will continue to nurse milk for up to nine months. 	Mammal	thelk.jpg	Cockrum, E.L. & Petryszyn, Y. (1992). Mammals of the Southwestern United States & Northwestern Mexico. Tucson: Chest Publications.;   Davis, W.B. & Schmidly, D.J. (1994). The mammals of Texas. Austin:Texas Parks and Wildlife Press.; North American Wildlife. (1982). Pleasantville, NY: Reader's Digest.;  Whitaker, J.O. Jr. (1996). National Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York:Knopf.;  Photograph: Roger W. Barbour, ©The Smithsonian Institution.	338	Elk are primarily nocturnal, but are especially active during the early dawn and late dusk.  Bulls and cows will forage together in winter and then separate when the birth of the young start.  Then the cows and calves will forage together while the bulls form separate herds.	elk.jpg			Length:  Head and body:  7.5 - 9.5 ft.  (228.6 - 289.7 cm).   Height at shoulders:  4 - 5 ft.  (121.9 - 152 cm).  Tail: 4 - 8 in.  (10.2 - 20 cm).	
Yellow-headed Blackbird				Icteridae	Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus	Yellow-headed blackbirds inhabit riparian areas such as fresh water marshes.		Yellow-headed blackbirds are insectivorous and herbivorous.  Not only do these birds enjoy eating insects, but they also snack on small snails, seeds, and grain.			The yellow-headed blackbird is a very pretty bird.  The male is all black with a bright yellow head and breast.  When it flies, you can see a white patch on each wing.  The female is smaller, and more brown in color with a dirty yellow color on her chest, throat, and face.  She does not have white patches on her wings. Their call is a "krruck" from deep in the throat.  Their song is a loud, nasal "oka-wee-wee" sound.	Most critics of this bird agree that as a vocalist, the yellow-headed blackbird is unmusical.  When this bird opens its mouth it lets out one of nastiest sounds ever heard from a bird's mouth.	Water provides safety for this bird, but since riparian areas may be limited in the desert, there is often crowding of nests, sometimes up to 25 nests in a 15 square foot area!  Predators are often scared away because they will be mobbed by large numbers of this blackbird.										Yellow-headed blackbirds make a nest woven around several strong stalks in a basket-fashion.  Three to five whitish, brown-speckled eggs are layed in these nests that are in colonies in tall marsh vegetation over water.  Incubation is done by the female, and lasts about 13 days.	Bird		Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.;  Udvardy, M.D.F. (1988). The Audobon Society field guide to North American birds. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  .	339	Tellow-headed blackbirds are diurnal.  Males will spend most of their days flying around in "display" flight, showing off their skills and pretty colors.  Some quarrel with neighbors over "home" boundries!				Length: 8 - 11 in. (20 - 28 cm).	
Corn	Maize	Ma’z	Maize	Poaceae  (Grass family)	Zea mays	A common crop grown worldwide.			Each kernel on a cob of corn is a seed.		Corn grows on tall stalks with long leaf axils. Green leaves. Tassels, male flowers atop the plant, pollinate the ears, which are female flowers. Each ear is covered with husks and silk. Cultivated corn grows in four classes: Sweet corn, popcorn, dent or field corn, and flint or Indian corn. Sweet corn is the type commonly harvested in the summer. Livestock eat dent. Indian corn is the ornamental corn. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/cornfield.jpg">Field of corn</a>	Corn was one of the first crops grown in Mexico thousands of years ago. Native Americans used ashes in a pot of water and corn to ease removal of husks.	Native to the New World, probably originating in Central America. Christopher Columbus took corn back to Europe.		There are two types of inflorescences on corn plants.  Male flowers (tassels) develop at the top of the plant stalk.  Tassels release pollen to fertilize the female inflorescences, called ears.	<a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/cornear.jpg">Cob</a>	All Zones.		Corn can grow in soil and water conditions in which other crops cannot. However, it does need plenty of water.	Corn may be prone to zinc deficiencies.  Several diseases and pests, including rusts, leaf blights, and wilts.  Corn earworm, corn borers, and corn rootworm are common insect pests.				Plant	thcorn.jpeg	Clark, D. (1981). Sunset new Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing Co.; Halpin, A. (1982). The organic gardener's complete guide to vegetables and fruit. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Swiader, J., Ware, G., & McCollum, J. (1992). Producing vegetable crops. Danville, IL.: Interstate Publishers.; Photograph: G. Morris Southward.	340		corn.jpeg	Corn is adaptable to many soil and climatic conditions.  Growth is best with temperatures around 75 degrees F.  Seeds may be planted 1-2 in. deep, depending on the soil texture.  Corn must be arranged in the garden to encourage pollination.		Height: 6 - 8 ft.  (182 - 243 cm).	
Squash or Pumpkin		Calabacita or Calabaza 		Curcurbitaceae  (Gourd family)	Cucurbita spp.	Common in both home and market gardens throughout the world.			Found inside the squash or pumpkin.  Pumpkin seeds are roasted and eaten as a snack.		Squash comes in summer and winter varieties.  Summer squash are harvested in an immature stage, when the skin is soft such as yellow squash and zucchini.  They have soft, spongy stems.  Winter squashes have hard stems and skins and grow to maturity. Acorn, butternut and pumpkin are examples of winter squash.  Squashes grow on either broad bushes or on long, trailing vines.  Squash fruit vary greatly in size and color.	Pumpkin and squash have many culinary uses.  Both are commonly canned.  Their blossoms are sometimes served as an ingredient in salads and other dishes.  Squash and pumpkin are also used for ornamental purposes.
In some cultures, the hard shells of some winter squash have been used for containers.
One of the <a href="http://one-web.org/oneida/food-index.html">Three Sisters</a>, beans along with squash and corn, were called "diohe'ko" by the Iroquois which means "these which sustain us."  Pumpkins were planted with corn which provided shade.	Native to the New World, these crops were commonly grown throughout North and South America long before Columbus' arrival.		Separate male and female flowers grow in the leaf axils.  Flowers  have large bright yellow or white petals.	Large fleshy or woody- skinned fruits vary considerably in size, shape, and color.   <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/squash.jpg">See squashes</a>	All Zones.		High	Common insect pests include cucumber beetles, vine borers, and squash bugs.  Some diseases, such as leaf blights, wilts, and rots can cause problems as well.				Plant	thsquash.jpg	Halpin, A.  (1982).   The organic gardener's complete guide to vegetables and fruit.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Hogan, E. (Ed.). (1988).  Sunset Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing.; Swiader, J., Ware, G., & McCollum, J. (1992).  Producing vegetable crops.  Danville, IL.: Interstate Publishers.;  Photograph:  G. Morris Southward.	341		squash.jpeg	Bush- type summer squash should be planted 2 - 4 ft apart, while vine- types should be planted 5 - 8 ft apart or allowed to grow on a trellis or in a cage.  Both types grow best in full sun.  Good pollination by insects or wind is critical for good fruit 		Pumpkins:  each plant needs 10 - 20 ft. (304 - 609 cm) of garden space.  Squash:  each plant needs 8 - 12 ft. (243 - 365 cm) of space.	
Potato	Irish Potato, White Potato	La Papa or Patata		Solanaceae  (Nightshade family)	Solanum tuberosum	A plant cultivated worldwide.			Small, flat, and oval-shaped.  New plants are not usually grown from seed.  Instead, the potato tubers are cut into sections and planted.  New plants grow from the "eyes," or buds on the cut sections.		Potatoes are the part of the plant that grows underground (tuber).  The above-ground part of the plant is bushy, with dark green leaves similar to leaves of the tomato plant.  Potatoes are perennials but generally grown as annuals.  One square yard of space can produce as much as 20 pounds of potatoes.  Potatoes are high in protein, vitamins C and B complex and minerals.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/pototoes.jpg">See potatoes</a>	Potatoes may be baked, steamed, boiled or fried.  Many potatoes are made into chips. Others are frozen, canned or dehydrated.  Potatoes are a worldwide food source.  They also are used for livestock feed and as ingredients in pastes and dyes.	Potatoes are native to the areas now known as Peru and Bolivia.  Early Spanish explorers took the crop to Europe.		Groups of pale blue flowers, about 1 in. across bloom at the top of the plant.	Round, yellow or greenish berries, each containing up to 300 seeds. This fruit is rare.	All Zones.		High	The Colorado potato beetle, fungal, bacterial and viral diseases may affect plant growth and tuber production.		  		Plant		Halpin, A.  (1982).   The organic gardener's complete guide to vegetables and fruit.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.; Hogan, E. (Ed.). (1988).  Sunset Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing.;  Swiader, J., Ware, G., & McCollum, J. (1992).  Producing vegetable crops.  Danville, IL. : Interstate Publishers.	342			Grows best in sandy, well-drained soil in full sun.  New plants are started by planting cut sections of tubers with buds.		Height:  3.5 ft. (106 cm).	
Chile	Pepper, Big Jim, Jalape–os, Sandias	Pimiento		Solanaceae  (Nightshade family)	Capsicum annuum	Chiles are a common crop to many parts of the world. They are particularly common in the southwestern United States, northern Mexico, and in other arid to semi-arid regions.				Small, round, pale seeds grow inside chile pods.	Chile is a well-known member of the pepper family. Elongated green chile pods grow from bushy plants with dark green foliage. Fully ripened chile is red. Capsicum annuum is the most cultivated species of the many varieties. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/chileplant.jpg">See plant</a>	Capsaicin, the ingredient in chile responsible for its heat or pungency, has many uses.  Capsaicin can be applied to electrical cables to discourage rodent chewing, used in mace and fed to flamingos to keep feathers pink.  Capsaicin also is used as a pain reliever, digestive aid, and as a cold remedy. Chile is very nutritious, high in vitamins A and C.	Native to the tropical rain forests of Central and South America, Columbus took chiles back to Spain. Over hundreds of years, chile has adapted to the arid climate of the Southwest and New Mexico, which leads the world in chile production. These days, chile is used as a spice, as an ornamental, as food, as a medicin and as an industry. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/chilefield.jpg">See field</a>		White to pale, yellow flowers bloom in the leaf axils of the plant.	Fruits vary greatly with the type of chile grown. Fruits may be large and blocky, to long and pointed.  Colors include red, yellow, green and purple.   <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/chili.jpeg">See fruit</a>	Zones 6,7,8,9,10	Though mainly used for cooking, some plants may be used as informal hedges, or grown in pots as ornamentals.	High	Aphids, cucumber beetles, and leaf miners, as well as various fungal and bacterial diseases can be problems in chile plant growth.				Plant	thchileplant.jpg	Hogan, E. (Ed.). (1988). Sunset Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Sunset Publishing.; New Mexico Magazine: Special Issue ÷ Chile! Santa Fe: New Mexico Magazine (Feb/Mar 1996).; Swiader, J., Ware, G., & McCollum, J. (1992). Producing vegetable crops. Danville, IL: Interstate Publishers.; Photograph: G. Morris Southward.	343		chileplant.jpg	Plants should be grown in the summer under full sun.  Watering should be infrequent, but thorough. Plants grow well in a wide range of soil types.		Height:  Plant: 1.5 - 2 ft. (30 - 61 cm).  Pods:  6 - 7 in. (15 - 18 cm).	
Black Vulture	Buzzards			Cathartidae	Coragyps atratus	Black vultures range from Desert Grasslands to Urban areas, soaring high up in the sky.   You might spot one perched in a dead tree or on a post on the side of the road.	Because vultures fly so high in the sky, there are no other animals that can catch and eat them. 	Black vultures are detrivorous.  They soar through the air until they discover carrion on the ground. They swoop down and eat the carcass, sometimes sharing with other vultures. Some people think their feeding habits are disgusting, but eating carrion plays an important role in keeping the ground clean. 			The Black vulture is a big black bird with a stubby, square tail. It has white patches under its spread wings, and long white legs. If you look up and see a big black - feathered bird with a small naked head flying in great big circles, you may have spotted a Black vulture.	Did you know that some vultures trust people? In some towns and villages of Mexico the vultures have a job. They walk around in the markets and harbors cleaning the streets by eating leftovers and garbage! 	Black vultures fly at lower altitudes than all other vultures. Some people accidentally call vultures "buzzards", but this term is incorrect.								Black vultures fly alone, or with a few others. Their flight patterns start with lots of quick wing movement, so when they stop flapping they soar through the sky in great big circles.		Black vultures lay 1 - 3 eggs that are spotted, or blotched. Vultures do not make nests from scratch. They hide the eggs in a hollow log or cave or on the ground so no predators can find them. 	Bird		Peterson, Roger Toby (1961). A Field Guide to Western Birds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Udvardy, Miklos D. F. (1977). The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Photograph:  .	344	Black vultures are diurnal scavengers.  They are most active during the day, while searching for food.				Length: 23 - 27 in. (58 - 69 cm).  Wingspan:   54 - 60 in. (137 - 152 cm).  Black vultures are usually smaller than other vultures.	
Kissing Bug	Conenose Bug, Coneheaded Bug, Walapai Tiger			Reduviidae (Assassin Bugs)	Triatoma spp.	Animal nests, houses, animal sheds, rabbit hutches.	Birds.	Blood, commonly of wood rats, but also of other mammals, including humans.			A medium-large dark assassin bug with red and black bars on the margins of the abdomen which are visible on each side of the wings.  Mouthparts sucking.		Chaga's disease is commonly transmitted by the South American relatives of our southwestern kissing bugs.   The causitive agent, the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, has been isolated from southwestern Triatoma and several human cases of the disease are known from Texas.											Insect	thkissingbug.jpg	Venomous animals
 of Arizona. (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona,
 Cooperative Extension Service.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the Southwest.
 Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman.	345	Nocturnal.	kissingbug.jpg			Length:  25 mm. 	
Gulf Fritillary				Heliconiidae or Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)- depending on authority.   Recent books place it in the Nymphalidae.	Agraulis vanillae	Parks, gardens, fencerows, roadsides.	Mantids, Birds.	Adults feed on nectar.   Larvae feed only on passion vine (Passiflora spp.) and are thus found around gardens where this subtropical and tropical plant is grown.		One year. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larva (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	Adult has bright orange elongate wings with silver spots on the undersides.  Larvae spiny, gray with orange stripes.		This family (or subfamily according to some lepidopterists) is abundant in the tropics and includes many brilliantly colored species.										Spring-Summer.	Insect	thgulffrit.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J. P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;  Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service; Tilden, J.W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	346	Diurnal.	gulffrit.jpg			Wingspan: 50 - 75 mm ( 2 - 3 in.).	
European Skullcap	Scullcap, Blue Pimpernel, Helmet Flower, Hoodwort, Mad-dog Weed			Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Scutellaria galericulata	Skullcap grows in permanent aquatic and riparian environments such as in moist woods and swamps.			Seeds are inside a little calyx that looks like a green bonnet.		Skullcap is named after the shape of its flowers. The leaves of this perennial are smooth and narrow; the flowers are shaped like a helmet with the visor up. Some say the leaves look like a lance, the long weapon knights used in battle. Skullcap is a member of the mint family.	Native Americans used skullcap to relieve pain. It is still used today for nervousness.	The species name, "galericulata," means "helmet-like". The nickname, Mad Dog, came about because skullcap was used as a treatment for rabies.		Skullcap's pretty, half-inch long flowers hang off the stem. The flowers usually are blue. Sometimes they can be pink or white. They bloom at the same time spotted sandpipers hatch from their eggs.									Plant		Chevallier, A. (1996). The encylopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Publishing Inc.; Craighead, J., Craighead, F., Davis, R. (1963). A field guide to Rocky Mountain wildflowers. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.; Hoffman, D. (1990). The new holistic herbal. Great Britain: Element Books.	348			Grow from seed in autumn, or by root division in spring.		Height: up to 3 ft. (91 cm).	
Unicorn Root	False Unicorn, Fairywand, Blazing Star, Devil's-bit			Liliaceae  (Lily family)	Chamaelirium luteum	Moist woods, meadows, thickets.					The unicorn root is a summer-flowering perennial, with egg-shaped to spoon-shaped leaves that grow at ground level at the base of a very short stem..  	Unicorn root was chewed by Native American women so they would have a healthy pregnancy.	Ancient Medicine Men used unicorn root as a pain reliever. This perennial is for use by qualified practitioners only.  Excess amounts of this herb will cause vomiting. 		Tiny white or greenish, star-shaped flowers that yellow with age.  Male and female flowers occur on different plants.									Plant		Bown, D.  (1995).  The Herb Society of America: Encyclopedia of herbs & their uses.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.; Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc.;  Photograph:  .	349			Seeds are sown in autumn, or by division in spring.  This herb thrives best in moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil in partial shade.		Height: 12 - 36 in. (30 - 90 cm), spread: 6 - 15 in. (15 - 38 cm).	
Western Pennyroyal	Mustang Mint			Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Monardella lanceolata	Mountain forests.					The Western pennyroyal has pretty, purple branching stems on long skinny stalks. Each branch has a small, bright, round head of flowers on the end of it. It has a strong, pleasant smell.	Western pennyroyal is in the mint family. Its minty leaves can be used to make a tea for coughs. American Indians use pennyroyal to lessen the pain of menstrual cramps.	Because of pennyroyal's strong smell, people have soaked dog collars in it as an insect repellant.		Small, bright, pink flowers crowded together in a round head 1 inch across. The outer ring of flowers blooms first.									Plant		Armstrong, M. (1915). A field book of Western wildflowers. New York, NY: C.P. Putnam's Sons.;  Hoffman, D. (1990). The new holistic herbal. Brittain: Element Books.;  Photograph:  .	350					Height: 6 in. to 2 ft. (15 - 61 cm).	
Western Hognose Snake	"Puff Adder" or "Blow Snake"			Colubridae	Heterodon nasicus	Found burrowing around in dry open woodlands, desert grassland, shrubland, and croplands.		Carnivorous,  these snakes smell out their food.  They love to find buried toads, lizards, snakes, and reptile eggs.  They also enjoy small rodents.			The Western hognose is a chunkily-built snake.  It has a sharply upturned and pointed snout, large head with big eyes and a wide neck.  Its scales are keeled.  This snake has a tan brown or yellowish-gray back with many large dark spots, and 2 - 3 rows of spots on either flank.  The underside is designed with large, black blotches.	Hognosed snakes are often mistaken for rattlesnakes, because of their stout features and defensive habits.	Western hognosed snakes get their nicknames "puff adder" or "blow snake" from the way they act when disturbed.  They spread thier necks, inflate their bodies, hiss, and strike.  If this fails, the hognose in known to "play dead."										Mating for the hognose begins around March, and goes to May.  Most females lay eggs every other year.  When she does lay eggs, there are 4 - 23 elongated, thin-shelled eggs, that are laid in loamy or sandy soil in early June to late August.  Eggs take 7 - 9 weeks to hatch.	Reptile	thwhognosesnake.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles & amphibians.  New York: Alfred A Knopf.;  Capula, M. (1989).  Simon & Schuster's guide to reptiles and amphibians of the world.  New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	351	Western hognosed snakes are primarily diurnal.  They are most active during the morning and late afternoon hours.  They are known to burrow into loose soil to get away from hot or cold conditions.	whognosesnake.jpg			Length:  16 - 36 in. (41 - 91 cm).	
Side-blotched Lizard				Iguanidae	Uta stansburiana	Live on a wide variety of dry, desert terrains where plants are sparse.  Dry terrains include sand, rock, and hardpan or loam.		Insectivorous, they eat insects, scorpions, spiders, mites, tics, and snowbugs.			This small lizard has a large bluish-black spot on each side of its chest, and behind the front legs.  The scales on its back are small, smooth, and lack spines.  The color of the back is gray to black, or yellowish to dark brown with or without speckles, stripes, and blotches.  In some populations, the males are speckled with pale blue.		Side-blotched lizards are one of the most abundant lizards in the arid and semiarid regions of the West.  Populations of the Side-blotched lizard that live in Northern parts of the range become inactive in the winter, while the ones that live in the Southern areas are active throughout the year.										Depending on locality, females may lay 1-7 clutches of 1-8 eggs in a given season.  The female can actually store eggs for up to 3 months before she lays them, so that at least 2 fertile clutches can result from each mating.	Reptile	thsideblotchlizard.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles & amphibians.  New York: Alfred A Knopf.;  Capula, M. (1989).  Simon & Schuster's guide to reptiles and amphibians of the world.  New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	352	Strictly diurnal and ground-dwelling, they are active on any warm day throughout the year.	sideblotchlizard.jpg			Length:  4 - 6 3/8 in. (10 - 16 cm).	
Spiny Softshell				Trionychidae	Apalone spinifera	Spiny softshells inhabit riparian areas.  They enjoy lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and marshes.  They are particularly fond of rivers and ponds with low, sandy banks.		Spiny softshells are carnivorous.  They are fond of earthworms, snails, crayfish, fish, frogs, tadpoles, and sometimes dabble in aquatic plants.		The spiny softshell's captive longevity exceeds 25 years.	Spiny softshells have a pancake-like shell that lacks horny scutes.  The carapace is olive to tan in color with black-bordered "eye spots" or dark blotches and dark line around the shells rim.  There are 2 dark-bordered light stripes on each side of the head.  The limbs are flattened and the toes are joined by broad webs.		Spiny softshells are difficult to approach, because they move fast on land and in water.  When this turtle is disturbed, it will dive into the water and quickly disappear. They do not hesitate to bite in self defense.										Softshell females, lay 4 - 32 eggs on the banks of ponds and rivers from May to August.  These eggs are usually exposed to full sunlight, and they hatch at the end of summer or in early autumn.	Reptile	thspinysoftshell.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles & amphibians.  New York: Alfred A Knopf.;  Capula, M. (1989).  Simon & Schuster's guide to reptiles and amphibians of the world.  New York, New York: Simon & Schuster.;  Collins, J.T.  (1990).  Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles.  Herpetological Circular No. 19, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth (1994).  Snakes, lizards, frogs, toads, & salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, NM: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	353	Spiny softshells are diurnal and nocturnal.  During the day, softshells are lazy.  They like to lay around on the banks or floating logs to sunbathe; during the night they hunt for food.	spinysoftshell.jpg			Length:  Males, 5 - 9.25 in. (12.7 - 23.5 cm); females, 6.5 - 18 in. (16.5 - 45.7 cm).	
Ring-necked Pheasant				Phasianidae	Phasianus colchicus	Ring-necked pheasants inhabit farmlands, pastures, marshes, and brushy areas.	Man.	Ring-necked pheasants are herbivorous.  They are fond of any kind of waste grain such as wheat, oats, corn, and barley.  They also enjoy eating seeds, nuts, berries, and insects.			Ring-necked pheasants are larger than chickens, with long pointed tails.  The males have vibrant colors, from their deep red face, green head, and white neck ring to the iridescent greenish-blue and purple feathers that cover the rest of the body.  Unlike the males, the females are dull brown color and have shorter tails.  The males have a loud voice that sounds like "kork-kork", while the females make sounds like "queep, queep, queep" that they use as an alarm call.	Ring-necked pheasants are America's leading game bird.  Many people enjoy hunting for this bird.	Ring-necked pheasants are not a native bird, but in fact a Chinese import who arrived in this country in the 1800's.  Benjamin Franklin's son-in-law, Richard Bache, was the first person to try to establish pheasants in America, at his New Jersey plantation, but his experiment failed.  In 1881 Judge O.N. Denny, The U.S. consul general in Shanghai, China, sent 30 birds to Oregon's Williamette Valley, where they successfully flourished.  Since then, the species has been reintroduced many times in several parts of the continent, and has flourished in the farm areas of southern Canada and across the northern United States.										Female ring-necked pheasants build nests on the ground, in a grass-lined scrape.  6 - 15, buff or olive-brown colored eggs are laid.  The female incubates the eggs from 23 - 25 days.  The male usually does very little when it comes to nesting time.	Bird	thringneckedpheasant.jpg	Bull, J., & Farrand, J. Jr.  (1986).  The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Birds.  New York: Knopf.; Harrison, K., & Harrison, G.  (1986).  The gallery of birds.  In A.E. Mace Ed.), The birds around us.  San Francisco, CA: Ortho.; Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Photograph:  Dan Brooks.	356	Ring-necked pheasants are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	ringneckedpheasant.jpg			Length:  30 - 36 in. (76 - 41 cm).	
Oryx	Gemsbok			Bovidae	Oryx gazella	Oryx are native to dry regions in southwestern Africa.  Those that have been introduced to New Mexico seem to prefer a shrubby habitat, with creosote, mesquite, and grass.		Herbivorous, feeding mainly on scattered grasses and occasionally digging up juicy roots and bulbs for their moisture.			The <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/mammal/oryx1.jpg">oryx</a> is mostly gray or tan on top and white beneath, with black markings on the head, sides, legs, and back.  The face is black and white.  Both male and female have ringed, rapier-like horns, and those of the female are longer, shooting up to four feet.	A species from Africa that was introduced to the wilderness area near the San Andres Mountains in Southern New Mexico.  They endanger plant life at White Sands National Monument.  Special licenses can be obtained throughout the year to hunt for oryx in New Mexico.	Oryx were transplanted to White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico from 1969 to 1973.  New Mexico's herd is the only free-ranging herd outside of Africa.	May weigh more than 400 lbs (181 kg).									May give birth all year round.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/mammal/orxy2mom.jpg">Female with calf</a>	Mammal	thoryx.jpg	New Mexico Game & Fish,  (1992).  Wildlife notes: Oryx.  New Mexico Game & Fish.;  Page, J.(1995). The Smithsonian guides to natural America: The Southwest: New Mexico and Arizona.  Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Books,  New York:  Random House.; Zeleny, R.O. "et al."  (1990).  The World book encyclopedia (vols. 1-22).  Chicago: World Book.;  Photograph: 1)  Dan Brooks, New Mexico Game & Fish.  2) Doug Burkett.	357		oryx.jpg			Height: 4 ft (1.2 m) at the shoulders.	
Green Toad				Bufonidae	Bufo debilis	Green toads occupy a variety of habitats, from desert grasslands and shrubland to valleys and foothills that are treeless or with scattered shrubs and trees and grass around temporary pools.		Green toads are insectivorous.  They hunt for a variety of arthropods such as spiders and crustaceans, ants, beetles, and moths.			The Green toad gets its name from its beautiful bright-green color on its upper parts.  This toad also has many small warts and black spots.  The throat of the male is darker in color.  The vocal sac on this toad is round, and produces a wheezy buzz sound that lasts about 2-10 seconds, every 5 seconds.		When green toads feel threatened, they will flatten themselves against the ground.										Green toads breed from March to September, but only when there has been good rainfall, enough to fill temporary pools.  If these toads feel that conditions are not to their liking, they may skip a breeding season.  Egg strings are usually attached to vegetation.	Reptile	thgreentoad.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York:  Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, T. C.  (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S.  (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico:  Sunstone Press.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	358	Green toads are burrowing, nocturnal amphibians, and only show themselves for brief periods during and after rain.	greentoad.jpg			Length:  1.25 - 2 1/8 in. (3.2 - 5.4 cm).	
New Mexico Spadefoot				Pelobatidae	Spea multiplicata	New Mexico spadefoots can be found in valleys, arid shrublands, grasslands, sagebrush flats, river valleys and agricultural lands.  		Insectivorous, feeding primarily on termites and beetles but  also eats spiders and ants and occasionally centipedes and scorpions.			The New Mexico spadefoot is a stout-bodied toad that has a wedge-shaped spade on each hind foot.  This toad is a dusky-olive to brown or gray color, with light irregular stripes and random darker blotches.  Its skin is somewhat smooth with some small tubercles that are red or orange tipped.  In some species the belly is white.  When you hear this toad it sounds like someone snoring, or like a cat purring.		New Mexico spadefoots produce a strange substance that smells like peanuts.  If you handle this toad the peanutty substance can inflame your skin or cause hay-fever symptoms like runny nose and watery eyes.										Depending on the rainfall, spadefoots breed in the winter and spring (January - August) in quiet streams and temporary pools.  Eggs are attached to vegetation, and hatching occurs within 2 days; transformation in 4 - 6 weeks.	Reptile	thnmspadefoot.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles & amphibians.  New York:  Alfred A. Knopf.;  Collins, J.T.  (1990).  Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles.  Herpetological Circular No. 19, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H.  (1996).  Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico:  University of New Mexico.;  Stebbins, R. C.  (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	359	Spadefoots are nocturnal.  They favor soil that is great for burrowing in the daytime, for it provides them with a microhabitat with moderate temperatures and humidity.  	nmspadefoot.jpg			Length:  1.5 - 2.5 in. (3.8 - 6.4 cm).	
New Mexico Whiptail	New Mexican Whiptail			Teiidae	Cnemidophorus neomexicanus	New Mexican whiptails inhabit a variety of areas.  They can be found in desert grassland and shrublands, such as yuccas, creosote bushes, mesquite, saltbush, and desert tea.  They also enjoy areas where periodic flooding occurs, like sandy arroyos, washes, and playas.	Leopard lizards	New Mexican whiptails are insectivorous.  Their meals consist of ants, spiders, grubs, and other invertebrates.			New Mexican whiptails are slender lizards that have 7 light stripes on their sides, that are seperated by slightly spotted dark bands.  There is a light zigzag stipe that goes down the middle of the back, and forks out on the head.  The throats of these lizards are pale blue or blue-green.  The tail is gray at the base, and gray-green toward the tip: bright blue in the young.		New Mexican whiptails are an all-female species.  This species originated by hybridization between the Western whiptail and the little striped whiptail, and now reproduces from unfertilized eggs.										New Mexican whiptails do not mate, but are able to lay up to 2 clutches of 1 - 4 eggs from June - July.  The eggs are smooth, leathery-shelled, and are creamy white in color.  These eggs are about twice as long as they are wide.  Incubation takes 40 - 60 days.	Reptile	thnewmexicowhiptail.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York:  Alfred A. Knopf.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H.  (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico:  University of New Mexico.;  Stebbins, R. C.  (1985).  A field guide to Wester Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S.  (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico:  Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	360	New Mexican whiptails are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	newmexicowhiptail.jpg			Length:  12 in. (30.5 cm).	
Slider	The Slider is nicknamed the "dime store" turtle.			Emydidae	Trachemys scripta	Sliders are habitants of permanent aquatic enviornments.  They prefer sluggish rivers, shallow streams, swamps, ponds, and lakes with soft bottoms and dense vegetation.		Sliders are omnivorous, as well as insectivorous.  They love to eat aquatic plants, crayfish, snails, tadpoles, fish, and insects.			The upper part of the sliders shell is oval, weakly keeled, and olive to brown in color.  There is a neat pattern on its shell that ranges from yellow bars and stripes to networks of lines and eyelike spots.  The underside of the shell is yellow and is plain or complicated in patterns.  With age, the pattern and head blotch may become masked by black pigment (shade, tint, or color), that would make identifying the slider quite difficult.	Sliders get their nickname the "dime store" turtle from the fact that people often purchase these turtles to have as household pets.	Sliders are fond of basking, and can be found doing so singly or stacked one upon another on a favorite log or other objects in the water.										Mating for sliders goes from March - June.  1 - 3 clutches of 2 - 25 eggs are layed, and the hatchlings emerge in 2 - 2 1/2 months, but often overwinter in the nest.	Reptile		Collins, J.T.  (1990).  Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles.  Herpetological Circular No. 19, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.;  MacMahon, J. A.  (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C.  (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  .	361	Sliders are diurnal.  They are most active during the daylight hours.				Length:  3.5 - 14.5 in. (9 - 36 cm).	
Western Blind Snake				Leptotyphlopidae	Leptotyphlops humilis	Western blind snakes inhabit desert grasslands, scrub, canyons, and rocky foothills that have moist sandy or gravely soils.		Western blind snakes are insectivorous.  Their diet consists of ants, spiders, and termites.			This reptile is a fairly small snake that has a blunt head and tail.  The color of this snake varies from purplish, brown, or pink on its top side, to cream, pink, purplish, or light gray on its underside.  The tail on this snake is short, and it has a sharp spine at the tip.  The eyes have a single scale between them.	Western blind snakes are said to be harmless to humans.	Western blind snakes are able to produce a clear fluid that is used to coat themselves as a defense against an attack of angry ants.										Western blind snakes mate in the spring.  A clutch of 2-6 slender eggs are layed in July - August.  The female is responsible for egss, and may even share nests with other snakes.	Reptile	thwblindsnake.jpg	MacMahon, J. A.  (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C.  (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S.  (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads & salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	362	Western blind snakes are nocturnal.  They are most active on warm evenings around sunset.  They also like to come out during or following summer thunderstorms.	wblindsnake.jpg			Length:  Up to 16 in. (41 cm).	
Western Tanager				Thraupidae	Piranga ludoviciana	Western tanagers are found in the open areas of conifers and mixed mountain forests.		In the spring and early summer these tanagers are insectivorous. The rest of the year they eat small fruits and berries, or are herbivourous.			Western tanagers are very colorful and beautiful little birds, with short, thick beaks. The males have very bright red heads, bright yellow bodies, and yellow and white stripes on their wings called 'wing bars'. The females have a greenish - yellow color on the upper part of their bodie, and yellow on the bottom. They are not as colorful as the males, but do have the same stiped wing bars.		The western tanager is the only tanager with wing bars. The song of the Western Tanager is very strong, and you can hear it from far away. It sounds like a flute, but is deep and dry. You might hear a song like "pit - a - tic" or "pit - r - ick". 								Western tanagers migrate from north to south.		Western tanagers build frail, shallow, bowl - shaped nests out of bark and weeds in the forked branches of conifers and oak trees. The female lays 3 - 5 blue/green speckled eggs.	Bird	thwesterntananger.jpg	Peterson, Roger Tory (1961). A field guide to Western birds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Udvardy, Miklos D.F. (1977). The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	363	Western tanagers are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	westerntananger.jpg			Length: 6 - 7.5 in. (15 - 19 cm).	
Inca Dove				Columbidae	Scardafella inca	Inca doves are commonly seen in towns, gardens, chicken coops, and fields.   You can also find these doves in croplands and urban areas.		Inca doves are herbivourous and insectivourous.  They enjoy eating seeds, grain, small fruits and insects.			The Inca Dove is very small and pale compared to other doves and pigeons. If you get close to one you will see it has a rusty, reddish - brown color hidden beneath the pale feathers on top. This dove has a plump body and small head, scaly - looking wings, and flies very quickly.	Some people think the "coo - hoo" song the Inca dove is singing really means "no hope". 	The Inca dove's song can be high or low - pitched notes. They may sound like "coo - hoo", "coo - co - hoo" and "hink - a - doo".  These birds are too small to be considered game, they show little fear of man; the inca dove is so tame it nests in city parks and suburban gardens.								The Inca Dove is a very fast - flying bird.   Because it is so small, this may be its only defense against predators.		From far away it is very hard to tell the male and female apart. Inca doves make a tight nest out of twigs and roots that looks like a saucer, or shallow bowl. They nest in bushes and small trees, and lay two round, white eggs.  Incubation is done by both the female and the male, and lasts for 14 days.	Bird	thincadove.jpg	Peterson, Roger Toby (1961). A field guide to Western birds. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Udvardy, Miklos D.F. (1977). The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Photograph:  G. Morris Southward. 	364	Inca doves are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	incadove.jpg			Length: 7.5 - 8 in. (19 - 20 cm).	
Tree Tobacco	San Juan Tree, Mustard Tree	Buena Moza, Gigante		Solanaceae  (Nightshade family)	Nicotiana glauca	Desert shrublands, wastelands and roadsides.  Also found along ephemeral stream beds and ditches, and near croplands.			Found in seed capsule.		Tree tobacco is an evergreen shrub or small tree that comes in all different sizes. A perennial that is grown as an annual, it has skinny, swaying branches with very big leaves. The blue-green leaves are leathery and smooth, but can feel sticky or hairy. It has a very strong smell although it is often cultivated for the pleasant smelling flowers.  The delicate, yellow flowers grow in clusters at the end of branches and are cylindrical with flared openings. 	Native Americans dried and smoked the leaves during their ceremonies.	The genus name of this tobacco is named in honor of Nicot. Nicot was the author of the first French dictionary. He sent some of these tobacco plants to Catherine de 'Medici in Portugal in the 1500's.		Attractive, tubular shaped, green to yellow flowers grow at the end of branches (panicles).  About 1.5 in. long (3.81 cm).  Bloom all summer. 	Two-celled capsule that holds seeds.	Zone: 7, 8, 9, 10.	Ornamental, attractive to hummingbirds.	Normal.	Poisonous to cattle, sheep, horses and humans.				Plant		Armstrong, M. (1915). A field book of Western wildflowers. New York,NY: C.P. Putnam's Sons.;  Benson, L. & Darrow, R.  (1954).  The trees and shrubs of the Southwestern deserts.  Tucson, AZ:  University of Arizona Press and The University of New Mexico Press.;  Everitt, J. & Drawe, D.  (1993).  Trees, shrubs & cacti of South Texas.  Lubbock, TX:  Texas Tech University Press.;  Sunset Magazine Editors.  (1988).  Sunset Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing Company.;  Photograph:  . 	367			Plant in full sun or part shade.		Height: 6 - 21 ft. (182 - 640 cm).	
Western Wallflower	Douglas's Wallflower, Coast Wallflower, Treacle-mustard, Prairie-rocket	Alheli		Brassicaceae  (Mustard family)	Erysimum capitatum	This wallflower grows on hillsides in mountain forests.			The Western Wallflower has four oval shaped pods with one row of flat seeds inside each pod.	Each plant usually lives for 2 - 3 years.	The Western Wallflower has a rough, strong, purple stem and narrow leaves. They grow very close together in a group, or cluster, of bright orange and lemon colored flowers. Each sweet smelling cluster is about 3 inches across. The wallflower covers dry hillsides with beautiful color.	A long time ago in Scotland a girl named Elizabeth dropped a wallflower from her castle window as a signal to the man she wanted to marry. Her father, the Earl of March, would not let her marry. Elizabeth slipped and fell trying to escape. The wallflower became a symbol of bad luck after she died.	The wallflower clings to old rock walls in Europe. The species name, capitatum, means "headlike". The wallflower is in the mustard family, just like the mustard you spread on you sandwich!		The bright yellow, orange or brown flowers are nearly one inch across. 		Zones: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10.	Use in borders where long-flowering plants are desired.	The Western Wallflower can survive in the desert with very little water.					Plant	thwwallflower.jpg	Armstrong, M. (1915). A field book of Western wildflowers. New York, NY: C.P. Putnam's Sons.; Art, H.  (1990).  The wildflower gardener's guide.  Pownal, VT: Storey Communications, Inc.;  Craighead, J., Craighead, F., Davis, R.. (1963). A field guide to Rocky Mountain wildflowers. Boston,MA: Houghton Mifflin.; Photograph:   Justin Van Zee.	368		wwallflower.jpg	Propagate from seed in soil that drains well.		Height: 1 - 2 ft. (30 - 61 cm). 	
Prickly Poppy	Thistle Poppy, Blessed Thistle	Cardo santo, Chicalote 	Mindri	Papaveraceae  (Poppy family)	Argemone spp.	Grows along roadsides and railroad tracks, chaparral and foothill woodlands, and meadows at 1,500 to 5,000 ft. (450 - 1,500 m) elevations.			Tiny seeds come out of holes at the top of the seed pod when they mature.		The thorny stems and serrated leaf edges give a weedy appearance.  The leaves are gray-green and clasping. Species have lacy, fern-like leaves.  The blooms are very beautiful.  The sap is toxic to humans and animals, and repels insects. 	Native Americans have used poppies throughout history. This poppy has a bitter, yellow juice used in treating eye problems. The genus (argema) is the Greek term for cataract.  It is dangerous to consume prickly poppy juice but at the same time, it can be beneficial to skin. 	Some say when only one large flower blooms in the middle with little, prickly buds all around, it appears as a fairy princess guarded by warriors. The flat, white flower with a yellow middle looks like a fried egg.		Big, white, showy flowers with six crinkled petals, are 2 - 5 in. (5 - 13 cm) across with golden centers and spiny sepals.  Bloom from March to June.	Elongated and thorny ribbed capsules.	Zone:  4, 5, 6, 7, 8.	It may appear to be a weed, but is grown for its big, showy flowers.	Drought-tolerant.					Plant	thpricklepoppy.jpg	Armstrong, M. (1915). A field book of Western wildflowers. New York: C.P. Putnam's Sons.;  Art, H. W.  (1990).  The wildflower gardener's guide.  Pownal, VT: Storey Communications Inc.;  Hoffman, D. (1990). The new holistic herbal. Brittain: Element Books.;  Rose, F. L. & Strandtmann, R. W.  (1986).  Wildflowers of the Llano Estacado.  Dallas: Taylor Publishing Company.; Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants.  Austin, TX: Texas Monthy Press.;  Photograph: Justin Van Zee.	369		pricklepoppy.jpg	Easily grows from seed and can be grown as an annual or perennial as it self-seeds.  Likes full-sun, sandy to gravelly soils and isolation.		Height: 1 - 3 ft. (30 - 90 cm).	
Bean		Frijoles		Fabaceae  (Pea, or Legume family)	Phaseolus vulgaris				Seeds vary in color, size, and shape. Some beans, such as the kidney bean, are curved.  Pinto beans are usually much smaller and slightly speckled.		Beans grow as either self-supporting bushes or climbing vines.  Bean plants form clusters of pods which house the beans.  Sometimes, we eat the whole pod such as green beans, string beans, snap beans and wax beans.  Other times, the beans are harvested from the pods.  Kidney, pinto and lima beans are examples of this.  Beans are high in vitamins A and B, but their true value is their high protein content. They have high mineral content, such as in calcium, phosphorus and iron.	One of the <a href="http://one-web.org/oneida/food-index.html">Three Sisters</a>, beans along with squash and corn, were called "diohe'ko" by the Iroquois, which means "these which sustain us."  The Iroquois had a Green Bean Ceremony, a seasonal festival.  Native to Central South America, early American colonists learned about beans from the Native Americans who taught them how to grow beans, squash and corn together.	Worldwide there are over 500 varieties of beans in the legume family, but not all belong to the same genus.  Phaseolus is the most important genus, since it produces the varieties people consume.		Racemes may grow at the end of the main stem, as with the bush type, or in the axils of the leaves, as with the runner type.  Each raceme may be made up of as many as 12 individual flowers.	Pods are usually 3 - 8 inches long (8 - 20 cm) and vary in color depending on the type of bean grown.	All zones		High	The Mexican bean beetle can be a serious pest.  Diseases such as anthracnose, bacterial blight and rust can also cause problems.				Plant	thbean.jpeg	Halpin, A.  (1982).  The organic gardener's complete guide to vegetables and fruits. Emmaus, PA.: Rodale Press.;  Hogan, E. (Ed.). (1988).  Sunset Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing.;  Nabhan, G. (1989).  Enduring seeds. San Francisco, CA: North Point Press.;  Swiader, J., Ware, G., & McCollum, J. (1992). Producing vegetable crops. Danville, IL:  Interstate Publishers.;  Photograph:  .	370		bean.jpeg	Beans grow well under warm conditions with plenty of water, well-drained, sandy soil.  Beans grow best in soil that is slightly acidic.		Height: 1 - 2 ft. (2.5 - 5 cm) for bush type and 10 ft. (25 cm) or more for runner beans.	
Rabbitbrush	Rubber Rabbitbrush, False Goldenrod, Goldenbush, Gray Rabbitbrush	Chamiso		Asteraceae  (Composite, or Sunflower family)	Chrysothamnus nauseosus	Desert grasslands and shrublands.					Rabbitbrush is a short, green bush with yellow flowers. It is not very tall but is very spread out. The branches are woody and covered by groups of white, woolly hair. Sometimes it grows in bad soil or sand dunes where no other plants can grow. They also may be seen growing alongside roads.	Scientists use rabbitbrush to assess the land. Erosion, poor soil or wastelands are important problems, and rabbitbrush will be the only plant that can grow there. This makes rabbitbrush an indicator. Scientists have tried to find ways to get the rubber out of it, but there isn't enough inside to make it worthwhile.	The species name nauseosus means "heavy-scented." Rabbitbush got its name because it is food for rabbits. Some other desert animals that eat this woody plant are antelope, mountain sheep, elk, and mule deer. It is especially important in winter when animals can't find anything else to eat.		Spiked, bright, yellow flowers grow all over this bush between September and October.			A good contrast plant.  Needs pruning to encourage lush growth.	Rabbitbrush needs very little water.					Plant		Crumpler, H.  (1994).  On the trail of the desert wildflower.  New York:  Harper Collins Publisher Inc.;  MacMahon, J. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred K. Knopf.;  Phillips, J.  (1995).  Plants for natural gardens.  Santa Fe:  Museum of  New Mexico Press.;  Photograph:	375			Once established, it becomes very prolific. Rabbitbrush must first be grown outdoors in sowing flats.  Needs full sun or partial shade and a well-draining soil.		Height: 2 - 5 ft. (61 - 152 cm).	
Arrow Weed				Asteraceae  (Composite, or Sunflower family)	Pluchea sericea	Riparian areas such as rivers, stream banks and ditches.					Arrow weed is a tall shrub with long, straight branches. Each branch has a cluster or bunch of colorful, disc-shaped flowers at the end. Its many long, narrow leaves are covered with little white hairs that make this shrub look silvery.	Arrow weed branches are so long and straight that Native Americans used them to make the long shaft for their arrows and as material for baskets.	When arrow weed is green and alive it smells very good, but when it dies and dries up, the odor is terrible!		Clusters of small, colorful flowers grow at the end of branches.  The disc-shaped flowers range from reddish purple to lavender.				Arrow weed gets all the water it needs because it grows along river banks and ditches.					Plant		Benson, L. & Darrow, R.  (1954).  The trees and shrubs of the Southwestern deserts.  Tucson, AZ:  University of Arizona Press and The University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. (1985). Deserts. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf.;   Photograph:  .	377					Height: 40 in. (100 cm) to 10 ft. (300 cm).	
Indian Ricegrass				Poaceae - Grass family	Oryzopsis hymenoides	Desert sands, dunes and grasslands.			The seed is dark-brown and round and hard. The lacy seed head is at the end of each divided, wavy branch.		Indian ricegrass is a "bunchgrass" with many elegant, upright, blade in varying colors. The colors are in accordance with seasons. Wavy branches spread out between the grass and have little seed heads on the end.  The plant is a pale, sage-green in early spring. It becomes straw-colored late summer. The old seedheads stay on the plant most of the year, or until they are broken off by snow or wind.	Native Americans used the seeds for food. The plant is also used in dried flower arrangements as filler.	Sometimes you will find Indian ricegrass covering sand dunes. Many animals such as cattle eat the grass. The seeds are the perfect size to fit in the mandibles of seed-harvesting ants.  Very frequently you can see Indian ricegrass growing on edges of big ant mounds, the result of seeds left behind by ants.		Summer.	The seed heads are the fruit of this grass.	Zones:  all zones	Used as a filler and backdrop for more colorful garden flowers.  Provides texture in borders.	This grass needs very little water and can survive in hot desert sand.	It may take two or more years to become established and survives about 3 to 6 years.				Plant	thindianricegrass.jpg	MacMahon, J. (1985) Deserts. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Phillips, J.  (1995).  Plants for natural gardens.  Santa Fe:  Museum of  New Mexico Press.;  Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants.  Austin, TX: Texas Monthy Press.;  Photograph:  Justin Van Zee.	380		indianricegrass.jpg	Grows best in poor, dry soils.  Sow seed anytime; one pound covers 1,000 square feet.  Clumps may be divided after plants establish themselves.		Height: 7 - 18 in. (17.5 - 45 cm).	
Claret-Cup Hedgehog Cactus	Red-Flowered Hedgehog Cactus	Pitaya		Cactaceae  (Cactus family)	Echinocereus coccineus	Mountain areas of the Southwest near deserts.  Likes rocky areas such as slopes and canyons.  Certain varieties found on desert floor near mountains. For example, the Tularosa Basin.					Of the hedgehog species, claret cup is the most widespread and includes several varieties.  Bright-red flowers distinguish these hedgehogs from other species. "Claret" refers to both the shape and color of the flowers.  Hedgehogs grow in clusters of two to ten stems with 10 to 12 ribs each.  Seven to nine whitish-gray spines grow from each areole. The cactus produces an edible fruit.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/fendlers.jpg">Fendler's Hedgehog</a>		Up to 500 stems can form <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/claretcup2.jpg">clusters</a>. Flowers emerge from the cactus rib above the areole, whereas most cactus species bloom from the areole.		Width: 1.5 - 2 in (3.1 - 5 cm).  Blooms between May and July.  The waxy flowers, with rounded petals, are open day and night for several days.  Normally scarlet, red or orange in color, hybridization with other species has resulted in pink to white, and y	Length: 0.5 - 1 in (1.3 - 2.5 cm).  The red, juicy fruit produced is edible.	Zone 5	Accent plant attractive to hummingbirds.	Very little required.	While seeds easily germinate, it takes years before the cactus is ready to flower. Cactus borers are natural enemies of hedgehogs. The larvae feed on the cactus flesh from the inside.				Plant	thclaretblossom.jpg	Fischer, P. (1989). Common cacti of the Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Hodoba, T. (1995). Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden. Santa Fe: Red Crane Books.; MacMahon, J. (1985). Deserts. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.; Photograph: 1) Justin Van Zee. 2) G. Morris Southward.	384		claretcup.jpg	Cuttings easily grow and will flower sooner than planting from seed. Requires full sun to partial shade.		Stems: grow to 2 - 12 in. (5 - 30 cm) tall and 3 - 4 in (7.5 - 10 cm) wide.  Spines:  a little over an inch long (3 cm).   	
Gila Trout				Salmonidae	Oncorhynchus gilae	Permanent aquatic, fresh water environments.  They are most common in the mountainous headwaters of the Gila River drainage in Southwestern New Mexico and Southeastern Arizona.  This fish is presently limited to several small streams in the Gila and Aldo 	Non-native trouts, mainly brown and rainbow trout. The brown trout (native to Europe) strongly competes for food and space, and prey on the Gila trout.  Rainbow trout (native to Pacific coast drainages) hybridize with Gila trout, causing important genetic material to be lost.  They also compete for food and space. 	Insectivorous.  Gila trout primarily feed on aquatic insects, particularly on caddisflies, mayflies, chironomids, and beetles.  This fish also has piscivorous tendencies.  They prey on their own young and on other fish species.		Most Gila trout live 5 - 6 years, but some may live more than 10 years.	Gila trout are very colorful fish.  The head is yellow with black spots.  Beneath the jaws there are yellow "cut-throat" slashes.  The cheeks are reddish copper.  The back and sides above the lateral line are colored with golden iridescence, sometimes washed with metallic blue, and scattered with many dark spots.  The lower sides on this fish are a deep yellow color, and the abdomen is grayish white to pinkish orange. 	Due to natural catastrophes (floods, droughts, and wildfires), and human activities (stocking of non-native trouts, uncontrolled fishing, unregulated land uses, and man-made fires), the Gila trout have been listed by New Mexico as endangered in 1974 under the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1974.											Spawning occurs in May and June, when water temperatures reach 8 degrees C or greater.  Females do not spawn until their third or fourth year, while males may spawn at two years.  Like other trout, Gila trout need pea-sized gravel in which to build their nests.  Fertilized eggs need a constant flow of well-oxygenated water, free of fine sediments, to develop and hatch.  The average number of eggs laid are about 150.	Fish	thgilatrout.jpg	Koster, W.J.  (1957).  Guide to the fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.; New Mexico Game & Fish (1993).  Wildlife notes: Gila trout. New Mexico Game & Fish.; Propst, D.  (1994). The status of Gila trout. New Mexico Wildlife, 22-28.;Sublette, J.E., Hatch, M.D., & Sublette, M.  (1990).  The Fishes of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.; Photograph:  John Rinne.	385	Diurnal.  Gila trout prefer feeding from early morning to late afternoon.	gilatrout.jpg			Length: 6 - 8 in. (15 - 20 cm)  Max: 10 or 11 in. (25 - 28 cm).	
Texas Blind Snake				Leptotyghlopidae	Leptotyphlops dulcis	Texas blind snakes inhabit prairies, canyon bottoms, and rocky or sandy deserts.  They also range into the juniper - live oak plant community.  These snakes are fond of crevices around the roots of trees and shrubs, and under stones and other objects.		Texas blind snakes are insectivorous.  They really enjoys eating ants, termites, and spiders.			Texas blind snakes are a smooth, shiny cylindrical snakes that are reddish - brown, pink, or silvery tan in color, with a blunt head and tail.  There is a small spine on the tip of the tail.  There are 14 rows of scales around the body.  The eyes on these snakes are just small black dots that are beneath the ocular scales.		Texas blind snakes are capable of producing a clear viscous fluid that they coat themselves with, as a defense mechanism against the attack of angry ants.										Female blind snakes lay a clutch of 2 - 7 elongate, thin - shelled eggs in late June - July.  The Females take care of the eggs, and may even share underground nesting sites.	Reptile	thtxblind.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads & salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	388	Texas blind snakes are nocturnal.  They are burrowing snakes that are seldom seen on the surface, except in the evening following heavy rains.	txblind.jpg			Length: 5 - 10.75 inches (13 - 27 cm).	
Rock Rattlesnake				Viperidae	Crotalus lepidus	Rock rattlesnakes are habitants of dessert grasslands through brushland to the lower edges of ponderosa pine forests.  They are often found in the area of permanent or intermittent streams.		Rock rattlesnakes are carnivorous.  They feed on lizards, small snakes, and small newborn rodents.		23 years.	These rattlers are very slender, and have small heads.  They are greenish-gray, bluish-gray, or pinkish-tan in color, and have widely spaced, irregularly bordered, slim black or brown crossbands.  Some dusky spotting occurs between these bands that may be sparse, or so thick that they seem to form secondary crossbands or make a speckled look.  The scales are keeled, in 23 rows.		Rock rattlesnake are quite poisonous.  They are sometimes vulnerable to over collecting.  In New Mexico, this snake is listed as endangered by the New Mexico Department of Game & Fish.										Rock rattlesnakes have 2 - 8 live births around June to August. 	Reptile	throckrattlesnake.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, lizards, turtles, frogs, toads & salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	389	Rock rattlesnakes are diurnal, and nocturnal.  They are most active during the morning hours and just before the sun sets.  They may become nocturnal during warmer months.	rockrattlesnake.jpg			Length: 16 - 32 5/8 in. (40.6 - 82.9 cm).	
Night Snake				Colubridae	Hysiglena torquata	Night snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, from grassland, chaparral, sagebrush flats, desserts, and woodlands, to moist mountain meadows, thornscrub, and thornforest.  Occurs in both rock and sandy areas.		Night snakes are carnivorous.  They love to snack on lizards, small snakes, frogs, and salamanders.			The Night Snake is a pale gray or beige colored snake with darker colored blotches on its back and sides.  There is a dark band that runs form its eyes backward and downward.  Most often there is a dark patch on the neck behind the head, and it has a thin middle line that extends forward.  The scales on this snake are smooth.		Night snakes have enlarged grooved teeth that are near the back of the upper jaw.  They use these teeth to hold their prey while their mildly, toxic saliva incapacitates the victim.  These snakes are relatively harmless.										Night snakes lay clutches of 4 - 6 eggs around late April to early July.  Incubation takes 7 - 8 weeks.	Reptile	thnightsnake.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	390	Night snakes are nocturnal.  During the day they hide under rocks or plant litter, and become most active at night.	nightsnake.jpg			Length: 26 in. (65 cm ).	
Coach Whip				Colubridae	Masticophis flagellum	Coach whips  visits a variety of habitats, from desert to juniper grasslands and open woodlands.		Coach whips are carnivorous  and insectivorous.  These snakes enjoy grasshoppers, lizards, snakes, small mammals, birds, frogs, young turtles, and insects.		16 years 7 months	The coach whip is a slender snake with a narrow head and large eyes.  It is tan, gray or pink in color with or without darker, irregular crossbands.  The stomach on this snake is a pale color with no designs.  Some populations are more vibrantly patterned.	Contrary to popular belief, the coach whip does not chase down an opponent and whip him to death.	This fast - moving snake is the most frequently seen snake in the Southwest.  It is one of the fastest snakes and has been timed going 3.6 miles per hour.  When this snake is caught, it usually attempts to bite; large coach whips are capable of lacerating the skin.										Coach whips mate in the spring.  Clutches of 4 - 16 granular - shaped eggs are deposited from June to July, and take 6 - 11 weeks to hatch.	Reptile	thcoachwhip.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	392	Coach whips are diurnal.  They are most active during the day when they are out prowling about in search of food.	coachwhip.jpg			Length: 36 - 102 in. (91.4 - 259 cm).	
Gopher Snake	Bullsnake			Colubridae	Pituophis catenifer	Basically a grassland species, but they are also found in pine - oak woodlands and pine flatwoods, open brushland, rocky deserts, cultivated fields, farms and ranches.		Gopher snakes are carnivorous.  These snakes usually kill their prey by means of constriction.  They love to eat rodents, rabbits, birds and their eggs, and on occasions they may eat lizards and insects.		Up to 22 years in captivity.	Considered the longest and most wide spread snake in the state of New Mexico, gophers are synonymous with bullsnakes.  Characterized by small heads and large, powerful builds, these snakes are light-colored, with black, brown, or reddish-brown blotches on their back and sides.  The nose is somewhat pointed, and there is an enlarged scale that extends upward between the nostrils.  The scales on gopher and bull snakes are keeled.	It is commonly believed that gopher snakes eat or drive away rattlesnakes, when in fact they do not.  However, both of these snakes are important for rodent control, and in turn are also important in controlling plague and hantavirus, a disease that can be given to humans by rodents and their fleas. 	When gopher snakes feel threatened they hiss loudly and sometimes flatten their head and vibrate their tails.  This action, along with its markings, cause these snakes to be mistaken for rattlesnakes and killed.  Bullsnakes use their thick muscles to squeeze their prey to death. They have been seen constricting 3 rodents at once, each in a separate loop of its body! Bullsnakes happen to be one of the largest North American snakes with the largest reported over 8 feet long. 	 2 kg.									Mate in the spring.  Clutches of 3 - 24 creamy-whitish eggs are laid in burrows in sandy soil or under large rocks or logs, in June - August.  It takes 64 - 79 days for the eggs to hatch.	Reptile	thbullsnake.jpg	Collins, J.T.  (1990).  Standard common and current scientific names for North American amphibians and reptiles.  Herpetological Circular No. 19, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	393	Gopher snakes are mainly diurnal, but may become active at night during warm weather.  During the winter, they often hibernate in cracks in rocks, or in underground burrows, sometimes even in groups with other kinds of snakes. 	bullsnake2.jpg			Length: 48 - 110 in. (122 - 254 cm).	
Glossy Snake	"Faded Snake"			Colubridae	Arizona elegans	Glossy snakes enjoy a variety of habitats, from desert grasslands and shrublands to open woodlands.  Tlhey are particulary fond of open sandy areas, creosote - mesquite desert, and sagebrush flats.		Glossy snakes are carnivorous.  These snakes mainly feed on lizards, but sometimes prey on small mammals as well.  These snakes kill their prey by way of constriction.			Glossy snake kind of resemble gopher snakes, but have smooth glossy scales instead of keeled scales.  The nose on glossy snakes are a bit pointed, and the lower jaw is inset.  There are a number of black - edged tan, brown, or gray blotches that are marked with cream, pinkish, or light brown on the upper surface.  A dark line runs from the angle of the jaw to the eye.  The stomach is not marked.		Glossy snakes very seldom attempt to bite, but will often vibrate their tails and trash vigorously when first picked up.  Thess are basically harmless snakes.										Glossy snakes mate in the spring, and a clutch of 3 - 23 eggs are laid during the summer.  It takes 10 - 12 weeks for these eggs to hatch.	Reptile	thglossysnake.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	394	Glossy snakes are nocturnal.  They are mostly active at night, except in the eastern part of their range, where they are often diurnal.	glossysnake.jpg			Length: 70 in. (178 cm).	
Longnose Snake				Colubridae	Rhinocheilus lecontei	The longnose snake is primarily a desert grassland and shrubland species.  It prefers loose gravel or sandy soils.		Longnose snakes are carnivorous.  These snakes enjoy eating lizards and their eggs, small snakes, rodents, young birds, and insects on occasion.  Larger prey is killed by constriction.			The longnose is a tri-colored snake with black saddles that are seperated by a reddish color on a creamish background, and flecked with dark spots on its sides.  The stomach is a creamyish white color that can be speckled or plain.  The nose on this snake is pointed, and sticks out beyond its lower jaw.  Most scales that are under the tail lie in a single row.  The scales on this snake are smooth.		Longnose snakes exhibit strange defense reactions when they are captured.  They try to hide their heads, coil their bodies, vibrate their tails, and discharge a bloody fluid, as well as other gland secretions.										Longnose snakes mate in the spring.  The females lay 4 - 9 eggs in underground nests from June - August.  Hatching takes 2 - 3 months.	Reptile	thtexaslongnosedsnake.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: Nation Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone Press.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	395	Longnose snakes are nocturnal.  They are most acive at night.  During the day, these snakes hide around rocks or in underground burrows.	texaslongnosedsnake.jpg			Length: 41 in. (104 cm).	
Lyre Snake				Colubridae	Trimorphodon biscutatus	Lyre snakes can be found in desert grasslands, creosote - bushes, desert scrub, chaparral, and pinon - juniper and oak woodlands.		Lyre snakes are carnivorous.  They love to eat lizards, birds, and small mammals including bats.			The lyre snake gets its name from a lyre - shaped head marking it has.  This snake is light brown to gray in color, and has darker brown or gray saddle shaped blotches with light colored centers on its back.  The side and stomach scales have smaller dark blotches.  The scales on the lyre snake are smooth.		Lyre snakes have enlarged teeth towards the back of their jaw, where they are able to release venom that is used to inject and immobilize their prey.  It is not known whether this venom is harmful to humans or not.										Little is known about the reproduction of this snake.  There is a reporting of a California female that laid 12 eggs in September, which took 79 days to hatch.	Reptile	thlyresnake.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. AQ. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	396	Lyre snakes are nocturnal.  These shy and secretive snakes are most active at nightfall.	lyresnake.jpg			Length: 48 in. (121 cm).	
Massasauga	"Swamp Rattler"			Viperidae	Sistrurus Catenatus	In the East, massasaugas can be found in riparian areas, dry plains grassland, and dry woodlands.  In the West, they enjoy desert grasslands, rocky hillsides, and sagebrush prairies.		Massasaugas are carnivorous.  The diet for these snakes consist of lizards, small rodents, frogs, and sometimes other snakes.			Massasaugas are not like other rattlers.  They have 9 enlarged scales on the top of their heads, and their tails are stocky with a moderately developed rattle.  There are rounded, dark blotches on their back and sides, with narrow interspaces.  There is also a light - bordered, dark bar that extends from their eyes to the rear of their jaw.  On the top of this snakes head, there are dark bars ( sometimes lyre - shaped ) that extend onto the neck.  The scales on the massasauga are keeled.		Massasauga means "great river mouth" in the Chippewa language.  This snake is quite poisonous, but is not very aggressive, and normally bites only when it is bothered.										Massasaugas mate from April - May.  From July to early September, females have live births of 2 - 19 young.	Reptile	thmassasauga.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Capula, M. (1989).  Simon & Schuster's guide to Reptiles and Amphibians of the World.  New York: Simon & Schuster's.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	397	Massasaugas are nocturnal.  They are most active at night.	massasauga.jpg			Length: 18 - 39.5 in. ( 46 - 100 cm ).	
Striped Whipsnake				Colubridae	Masticophis taeniatus	Striped whipsnakes inhabit grassland and brushy flatlands.  They may also be found in harsh mountainous terrain that is governed by pinon-juniper and open pine-oak woodlands.		Striped whipsnakes are carnivorous.  They enjoy eating lizards, snakes, small rodents, birds, frogs, and insects.			Striped whipsnakes are long, slender, and fast-moving reptiles.  If you see one of these snakes you will notice that their coloring is gray, bluish-greenish-gray, olive, reddish-brown or black.  Usually, there are 2 or more continuous or broken light lengthwise stripes on each side.  These snakes have large head scales that are edged in white.		Striped whipsnakes are excellent climbers.  When these snakes are surprised, they will quickly vanish before your very eyes, and seek shelter in mammal burrows or in the brush.										Whipsnakes mate in early spring, and may nest in abandoned rodent burrows.  3 - 12 eggs are layed from June to July, and hatch in August.	Reptile	thstripedwhipsnak.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.,  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H.  (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico., Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	398	Striped whipsnakes are diurnal.  They are most active in the morning and late afternoon.	stripedwhipsnak.jpg			Length:  40 - 72 in. (101.6 - 182.9 cm).	
Mexican Garter Snake				Colubridae	Thamnophis eques	Mexican garter snakes can be found in or near water in mountain pine-oak forest, mewquite grassland, and deserts.		Mexican garter snakes are carnivorous.  They enjoy eating frogs, tadpoles, and fish.			Mexican garter snakes have stout bodies that are brown or greenish-brown in color, with a yellow-white back stripe.  There is also another stripe down the 3rd and 4th scale rows on each side of the forward part of the body, with alternating dark spots on the sides.  The belly on these snakes is green, gray, or blue, with dark spots.  The scales are keeled.		When a mexican garter snake is threatened, it will flatten its head and body and strike repeatedly.  When handeled roughly, these snakes attempt to bite and smear a horrible smelling musk from glands that are located at the base of the tail.										Mexican garter snakes supposedly mate in spring in the northern part of the range.  Up to 25 young are born in June, and perhaps even into August, and still later in southern areas.  Newborn are 9.5 inches (24 cm ) long.	Reptile		Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W. & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibiand & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico., Knopf, A. A.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.    Photograph:  .	399	Mexican garter snakes are diurnal.  They are most active during the day while foraging along streams, irrigation ditches, and lakes for food.				Length:  18 - 40 in. (45.7 - 101.6 cm).	
Yarrow's Spiny Lizard				Iguanidae	Sceloporus jarrovi	Yarrow's spiny lizards can be found among rocky outcrops in woodlands.		Yarrow's spiny lizards are insectivorous.  Grasshoppers, caterpillars, and beetles happen to be a few of their favorite things to eat.		Individual lizards may live to be eight years old.	Yarrow's spiny lizards are really neat to look at.  They have black-edged light-blue or pinkish scales on their backs, and a black collar with white rear edges.  The males have blue throats and blue sides along the stomach.  The females are more subdued in pattern and color, and may lack the black collar.		Yarrow's spiny lizard was named for Henry C. Yarrow, who following the Civil War served as honorary curator of amphibians and reptiles at the National Museum of Natural History.										Yarrow's spiny lizards have 3 - 13 young that are born alive during the summer, usually in June.	Reptile	thyarrowspringlizard.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American reptiles & amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.; Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.; Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	400	Yarrow's spiny lizards are diurnal.  They are most active during the day, sunning themselves and looking for food.	yarrowspringlizard.jpg			Length:  5 - 8.75 in. (12.7 - 22.2 cm).	
Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail				Teiidae	Cnemidophorus exsanguis	Chihuahuan spotted whiptails  inhabit  the desert, desert grasslands, and mountain woodlands, especially pine-oak.		Chihuahuan spotted whiptails are insectivorous.  They enjoy eating insects, spiders, grasshoppers, beetles, and scorpions.			The Chihuahuan spotted whiptail has 6 light stripes that are seperated by dark brown bands; there are light spots in both the stripes and bands.  Down the middle of the whiptails back, there are 5-8 granular scales that lay between light colored stripes.  The stomach is light gray to white with 8 lengthwise rows of large smooth rectangular belly scales.  The tail on this lizard is blue-gray to green in color.  When you are looking for young whiptails, you will notice that they have an orange tail, and light spots set in dark bands.		The Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail is and all-female species.  This Whiptail is somewhat of a curious amphibian that may come within arms reach if you are patient.										Chihuahuan spotted whiptails are unisexual, and there is no matting.  Clutches of 1 - 6 eggs are laid from June - August, and hatch about a month and a half latter.	Reptile	thchihuahuanspottedwhiptail.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W.  (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York:  Alfred A. Knopf; Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H.  (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997).  Deserts: National Audubon Society Nature Guides.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.; Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone Press.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	401	Chihuahuan spotted whiptails are diurnal.  They are most active during the morning hours, and can be found digging around the edges of shrubs and vegetative litter for insects.	chihuahuanspottedwhiptail.jpg			Length: 12.5 in. (31.6 cm).	
Crevice Spiny Lizard				Iguanidae	Sceloporus poinsetti	Crevice spiny lizards love rocky habitats that are wooded or otherwise, from mesquite grasslands and desert shrublands through oak - pinon - juniper habitats.  They also enjoy limestone and other exposed rocky outcrops in arid and semiarid areas.		Crevice spiny lizards are both insectivorous and herbivorous.  These lizards really like to eat insects, spiders, buds, blossons, and leaves.			The crevice spiny lizard is a large, rough scaled lizard with an outstanding white - edged black collar, and clearly marked dark crossbands on its tail.  The colors this lizard shows off are kind of a dull olive to red, with blue patches on the sides of the throat and stomach (absent in the females).		Crevice spiny lizards are very cautious, and will retreat in a crevice or under a boulder when approached.  When they do this, it is impossible to remove them without causing injury to yourself.  You are better off using a mirror or flashlight to see these creatures in their retreats.										Crevice spiny Lizards have live births of 7 - 16 young from June to July.	Reptile	thcrevicespiny.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995). National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996).  Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico Press.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	402	Crevice spiny lizards are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	crevicespiny.jpg			Length: 11.5 in. (29 cm).	
Little Striped Whiptail				Teiidae	Cnemidophorus inornatus	Little striped whiptails enjoy desert grassland and shrubland.  You can find these whiptails in pinon juniper and open pine forests.		Little striped whiptails are insectivorous.  Their diet mainly consists of beetles, grasshoppers, and spiders.			Little striped whiptails are really neat lizards, that have great colors.  They have 6 - 8 light stripes that are seperated by dark reddish - brown to black bands with spots, and small granular scales on their backs.  The throat and stomach on the males are an intense blue, and on the females a light blue.  There are 8 lengthwise rows of large, smooth, rectangular stomach scales.  The tail is brownish at the base, with the remainder being a bright blue.		These lizards have a unique foraging technique.  They pause at intervals and place their ear to the ground to listen, and then furiously dig for grub or other morsels.  When this lizard becomes scared it tends to seek cover under shrubs, and if this does not work it will leave the shrub in favor of burrows.										Little striped whiptails mate in the spring, and sometime around May - July, a clutch of 2 - 4 eggs are laid.	Reptile	thlittlestripedwhiptail.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & Reptiles of New Mexico.  Albuquerque, New Mexico: University of New Mexico.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985). A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Williamson, M. A., Hyder, P. W., & Applegarth, J. S. (1994).  Snakes, Lizards, Turtles, Frogs, Toads & Salamanders of New Mexico.  Santa Fe, New Mexico: Sunstone Press.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	403	Little striped whiptails are diurnal.  They are most active during the morning hours.	littlestripedwhiptail.jpg			Length: 12 in. (30.5 cm).	
Chipmunk					Eutamias dorsalis	Normally thought of as a cliff dwellers.  These chipmunks are very suited to open woodlands.  They are the only chipmunk that are native to the Southwestern desert.	Bobcats, hawks, foxes, and coyotes.  The marten is possibly their worst enemy, but they are very rare where the chipmunks live.	Juniper berries, acorns, and pine nuts.  During the summer months herbage, fungi, small tubers, and some insects are preferred.			A large chipmunk with faint stripes, white ears, and a gray neck and back.  In the winter, the heavy gray winter coat of the chipmunk makes the black stripe down the middle of its back very prominent.  The chipmunk's tail is very broad, bushy, and is also gray.  The sides of the chipmunk's legs are yellowish brown.		The chipmunk has become accustomed to the dry climate of the deserts and has learned to build its nest in deep cliff crevices using dried grass stems and soft material.  They also make chambers to hold their food.  In bad weather, the chipmunk will stay in its nest and eat the food it has stored for itself.  The cliff chipmunk is extremely agile; however, it does not like to attempt daring jumps from tree to tree.  If it happens to fall, its bushy tail will start a whirling motion which will slow the speed at which the chipmunk falls.  										The number of young averages from four to six.  The species that live at low elevation sometimes have two litters each year, while those living at higher elevations are limited to one.	Mammal	thchipmunk.jpg		405		chipmunk.jpg		New Mexico and the eastern half of Arizona.  Throughout most of Utah and extending into Nevada.	9.5 in (23.75 cm)	
Turkey Vulture				Cathartidae	Cathartes aura	Turkey vultures inhabit the open country, farmlands, and forests.		Turkey vultures are carnivorous.  Their choice of food is almost always carrion.			Turkey vultures are large sized birds that are nearly the size of an eagle.  From below, the wings are a blackish two-tone color.  The adult turkey vulture's head is small, bald, and red; the young have black heads.  Turkey vultures have long tails, and the males and females look alike.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/bird/turkeyvulturewingspan.jpg">See wingspan</a>	Turkey vultures are the most common buzzard throughout most of their ranges.	Turkey vultures are able to soar to heights of 200 feet or more and spend much of the day searching for carrion.  They are able to travel many miles without flapping their wings.  However, on the ground, these birds are quite clumsy as they hop about with their great wings folded against their slim bodies.										Turkey vultures usually have their nests well hidden on a cliff, on the ground, or in logs or stumps.  Two dull white eggs splotched with brown are incubated by both parents for 39 - 40 days.	Bird		Bull, J., & Farrand, J. Jr.  (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Harrison, K., & Harrison, G.  (1986).  The gallery of birds.  In A.E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us.  San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Photograph:  G. Morris Southward.	406	Turkey vultures are diurnal.  They start their mornings off by soaking up the warm morning sun, and spend the rest of the day soaring the skies for food.				Length: 26 - 32 in. (66 - 82 cm).	
House Finch				Fringillidae	Carpodacus mexicanus	In the West house finches can be found in brushy deserts, chaparral, old fields, and areas around abandoned buildings.  In the East these birds inhabit towns, gardens, and open woodlands.		House finches are frugivorous and herbivorous.  They enjoy eating seeds, fruits, and berries.  They will occasionally catch insects, but usually feed them to their young.			House finches are about the size of a sparrow.  The males are streaked brown with a bright red breast, forehead, eyebrows, and rump.  The females are also streaked brown, but they do not have the fabulous red coloring that the males have.  Both male and female sing a lively warbling song that they repeat several times.  Their call note is "kweet or pit". 	House finches, like all native North American species, are protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty, which forbids people from capturing and selling them.	In 1941 a man named Dr. Edward Fleisher of Brooklyn, New York, discovered a pet shop that was selling house finches under the name "Hollywood finches".  These birds were being shipped to several pet stores in New York from California.  House finches adapt quite nicely to civilized environments.										House finches may build nests on a branch of an evergreen, in tree cavities and bird houses, or on ledges of buildings.  In the West they tend to build their nests in a cactus or desert shrub.  4 - 5 pale bluish-green, black spotted eggs are laid.  The female incubates the eggs from 12 - 14 days.	Bird	thhousefinch.jpg	Bull, J., & Farrand, J. Jr.  (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.; Harrison, K., & Harrison, G.  (1986).  The gallery of birds.  In A. E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us.  San Francisco, CA: Ortho.; Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Photograph:  Patrick Holian.	407	House finches are diurnal.  They are most active during daylight hours.	housefinch.jpg			Length:  5 - 6 in. (13 - 15 cm).	
Spotted Sandpiper	The "teeter - tail".			Scolopacidae	Actitis macularia	Spotted sandpipers inhabit riparian areas such as ponds and streams, or any place with water close by.		Spotted sandpipers are insectivorous and piscivorous.  They enjoy insects, small fish, and crustaceans for their meals.			Spotted sandpipers are about the size of robins.  During breeding season the adult is gray-brown above, with white wing stripes, while the breast and stomach are white with black spots.  However, they seem to lack the spots in the fall and winter.  These birds also have short bills that are pink at the base.  The voice of a spotted sandpiper is a clear 'peet-weet" sound and also a soft trill.	Spotted sandpipers are one of the best known of American shorebirds.	The female spotted sandpipers are known to be very flirtatious birds.  During mating season they will ruffle their neck feathers and strut about among the males, and choose a mate.  After the female lays about four eggs, the male immediately takes over incubation while the female takes off and flirts with other available males, and repeats the same process.  She may do this 4 or 5 times before settling down to share in the nesting duties with her last mate (while all of her former mates are left to deal with their young on their own).										The nest of a spotted sandpiper is usually lined with grass or moss in a slight depression on the ground.  4 buff, brown-spotted eggs are laid by the female and incubated by the male for 20 - 24 days.	Bird		Bull, J., & Farrand, J. Jr.  (1986).  The Audubon Society field guide to North American birds.  New York: Knopf.;  Harrison, K., & Harrison, G.  (1986).  The gallery of birds.  In A.E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us.  San Francisco, CA: Ortho.; Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Photograph:	409	Spotted sandpipers are diurnal.  They are most active during the day, and easy to see thanks to the constant teetering of their tails and rumps.				Length: 7.5 in. (19 cm).	
Common Checkered Skipper				Hesperiidae (Skippers)	Pyrgus communis	Almost anywhere, from bajadas and desert to yards and gardens.	Mantids, crab spiders, ambush bugs, robber flies, birds.	Adults feed on nectar.   Larvae feed on members of the mallow family.		Multiple broods.  Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	Small day-flying 'butterfly" with clubbed and hooked antennae.  Wing checkered with gray and white.  Body thick, compared with wings.  Mouthparts sucking, with coiled tube. Caterpillar greenish-gray with white-knobbed hairs. 		Skippers are very common throughout the desert Southwest.   They are often the most abundant members of the order Lepidoptera.										Several times during the spring and summer.	Insect	thcheckeredsk.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J. P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.; Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service. Photograph:  David B. Richman.
   Tilden, J.W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: D. Richman. 	410	Diurnal.	checkeredsk.jpg			Wingspan:   25 - 30 mm ( 1 - 1.25 in.).	
Painted Lady				Nymphalidae (Brush-Footed Butterflies)	Vanessa cardui	Widespread, often seen in back yards or along dirt roads.	Mantids, robber flies, crab spiders, birds.	Adults feed on nectar.   Larvae feed on  a number of food plants, including members of the Borage and Composite families. 		Multiple broods.  Adults may be relatively long lived. Metamorphosis complete-egg, larval stages (caterpillar), pupa, adult.	Medium-sized butterfly with white and black markings on an orange background.  Hind wings with row of "eyespots," which are more eye-like on the underside. Caterpillar greenish with black, hairy head and yellow to black spine tuffs.												Usually spring to fall.	Insect	thpaintedlady.jpg	 Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J. P. (1991). Butterflies of
 Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;  Pyle, R. M. (1981). The
 Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.; Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of
 New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension
 Service; Tilden, J.
 W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies. Boston: Houghton
 Mifflin.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman.	412	Diurnal.	paintedlady.jpg			Wingspan: 50 - 60 mm ( 2 - 2.5 in.).	
Agave Borer	Agave Worm, Tequilla Worm.			Megathymidae (Giant Skippers, sometimes a subfamily of the Hesperiidae)	Agathymus spp.	Deserts and desert mountains.	Mantids, birds.	Adults are nectavorious feeding on the nectar of plants, while the larvae are herbivorious feeding on various species of agave.		The life span of the agave borer is about one year. The agave borer goes through complete metamorphosis- egg, larval stages, pupa, adult.	The agave borer is a large butterfly with clubbed and slightly hooked antennae. Their mouthparts are a coiled tube-like structure used for sucking.  The wings of the agave borer have yellow to orange patches. 	The larva of the agave worm is often placed in bottles of Tequilla.  These days the agave worm is replaced with a mealworm.	The agave borer is associated with the agaves used for the production of Tequilla. Unfortunately, the harvesting of some agaves may threaten the very localized populations of Agave Borers.										Probably in fall.  Has one brood per year.	Insect	thagaveborer.jpg	Bailowitz, R. A., & Brock, J. P. (1991). Butterflies of Southeastern Arizona. Tucson, AZ: Sonoran Arthropod Studies.;  Pyle, R. M. (1981). The Audubon Society field guide to North American butterflies. New York: Knopf.;  Tilden, J.W., & Smith, A. C. (1986). A field guide to Western butterflies. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.; Photograph: David B. Richman. 	413	Diurnal.	agaveborer.jpg			Wingspan: 50 - 60 mm.	
Apache Jumping Spider				Salticidae (a family of Spiders)	Phidippus apacheanus	Desert and desert grasslands.	Other spiders, small mammals, birds.	Other arthropods.		One brood per year. Metamorphosis simple- egg, immature stages, adult. 	Dorsal (upper) body bright orange ; underside and legs black, with a velvety appearance. Mouthparts chewing-sucking and bright metallic green in color.  Males with fringes on front legs.  General appearance and movements resembles those of a velvet ant.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/insect/apachejump.jpg">Female spider</a>		The spiders in the family Salticidae, including the Apache Jumping Spider, are among the most visual of invertebrates.   Their vision is very good and they notice movements, shapes and colors.   Their visual sense is more sensitive toward the ultraviolet than ours.  They are also able to process spatial information in such a way that they can locate prey after they have lost sight of it and can modify their behavior based on visual cues.  										Summer.	Insect	thapachejs.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., &
 Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New
 Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.; Photograph: David B. Richman.
 
	414	Diurnal.	apachejs.jpg			Length: 10 mm.	
Mosquito	Gnat	Mosquito		Culicidae	Culex, Culiseta, Aedes, and Psorophora.	Found almost everywhere.	Dragonflies, spiders, bats, birds. Larvae are fed on by fish and predatory aquatic insects.	Females suck blood, males feed on nectar.   Larvae (wigglers) feed on plankton (microscopic organisms) in puddles, ditches, ponds, lakes, rivers, and streams. 		Many generations per year, based on availability of standing water.   Complete metamorphosis- egg, larva, pupa, adult.   Pupae active.	Adults are small, slender, flies.   These are usually gray, brown or black and white in color. Mouthparts piercing-sucking.  The larvae, or wigglers, are usually brownish and hang on the underside of the surface film. When disturbed, they have a thrashing swimming movement that carries deeper and possibly to safety.  Pupae are comma-shaped and able to move, but also hang from the surface.	Very pestiferous, mosquitoes are recognized in all cultures.	Mosquito-bourne diseases have caused more deaths than practically any other cause.   Mosquitoes vector such dangerous diseases as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and filiariasis.  Mosquitoes are thus often mentioned in the tabloids as "the world's most dangerous insect."  Yellow fever destroyed Napoleon's army when the French tried to retake Haiti early in the 19th Century.										Almost any time there is standing water available.	Insect	thmosquito.jpg	 Richman, D. B., Sutherland,
 C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces,
 NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the
 Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	415	Adults mostly in evening and night or early morning.   Some species will bite during the day in the shade. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/insect/mosquitolarv1.jpg">Larvae</a> may be active at any time of day.	mosquito.jpg			Length:  5 - 10 mm.	
White-Lined Sphinx Moth				Sphingidae (Sphinx Moths)	Hyles lineata	Widespread.	Spiders, birds, bats, small mammals.	Adults sip nectar.   Larvae feed on foliage, stems, and flowers of evening primrose, portulaca, chickweed, buckwheat, and wild four o'clocks.  Rarely attack garden plants. Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages, pupa, adult.		One generation a year.   Complete metamorphosis:  egg, larva, pupa, adult.	Adults are white striped on gray-brown bodies and forewings, with pink and dark patterns on the hindwings. Mouthparts sucking. Larvae are variable in markings and color, ranging from yellow to black.   They have a long sharp horn on the posterior end and are thus often called hornworms.  Related hornworms attack some crops, including tomatoes.   Often common and seen crossing roads in fall.		Sphinx moths are able to maintain body heat above outside temperature and are thus "warm-blooded."  They are often mistaken for hummingbirds when they hover above flowers sometimes in broad daylight, but more often around dusk.  These may be important in the pollination of some night-blooming cacti and another sphinx moth, the rustic sphinx, pollinates the Organ Mountain primrose.										Mostly in summer.	Insect	thwhitelined.jpg	Milne, L. and M. (1980)  The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Insects and Spiders. Alfred A. Knopf, New York.;  Richman, D. B., Sutherland,
 C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces,
 NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Werner, F., & Olson, C. (1994). Insects of the
 Southwest. Tucson, AZ: Fisher Books.;  Photograph: David B. Richman. 	416	Nocturnal, but does fly during daytime, usually under clouds, and at dusk.	whitelined.jpg			Wingspan:  65 - 90 mm ( 2.5 - 3.5 in.).	
Colorado Checkered Whiptail	Checkered Whiptail			Teiidae	Cnemidophorus tesselatus	Colorado checkered whiptails are fond of desert grasslands and shrublands where creosole bushes are found.  They can also be found in open woodlands that support oak, pinon and juniper trees.		Colorado checkered whiptails are insectivorous.  These whiptails love scorpions as well as the usual insects and spiders.			The Colorado checkered whiptail is long and slender.  It has 6 faint, light stripes that are seperated by bold black checks, bars, or spots.  The back scales on this whiptail are small and granular.  The throat and stomach are white, with small scattered black spots that are quite noticeable on the chin and chest.  There are 8 lengthwise rows of large, smooth rectangular scales on its stomach.  The tail is yellow or brown with dark spots on the sides.		Colorado checkered whiptails are more agile rock climbers than other lizards.  These whiptails are an all-female species that reproduce without mating.										Colorado checkered whiptails do not mate, but are able to lay one (maybe 2) clutch(es) of 1 - 8 eggs in June - July, that hatch in August.	Reptile	thcheckeredwhiptail.jpg	Behler, J. L., & King, F. W. (1995).  National Audubon Society field guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians.  New York: Alfred A. Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985).  A field guide to Western Reptiles and Amphibians.  New York: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	417	Colorado checkered whiptails are diurnal.  They are most active during the day.	checkeredwhiptail.jpg			Length: 11 - 15.5 in. (27.9 - 39.4 cm).	
Whitethorn Acacia	Acacia, Mescat Acacia, Western Whitethorn	Largoncillo		Fabaceae (Legume, or Pea family)	Acacia constricta	Common in valleys, along riparian areas such as river and pond banks.  Desert grasslands, rocky hills, mesas and caliche soils.			Quater inch long seeds grow in seed pods.		The whitethorn acacia is a graceful spreading shrub with tiny leaves and white thorns. Known for its vivid colors, whitethorns blooms with bright yellow flowers shaped like balls in summer. The bark becomes purplish in winter and the seed pods turn bright red after flowering.  Capable of developing several trunks, whitethorns are also known for their sweet scent when blooming.	Papago Indians used the seeds in a starchy meal called pinole.  The flowers of whitethorns are big contributors to desert honey.	The whitethorn acacia is native to Western Texas, Southern New Mexico, Arizona, Southern California, and Mexico.  Livestock graze on the pods but are sometimes poisonous to them in late summer. There is a unique, natural variety called "paucispina" which is exactly like the normal acacia described here, except it has few or no spines.		Yellow, round, sweet-smelling  flowers (peduncles) bloom in May through July and after summer rains.	Reddish-brown, twisted, pod, 2 - 3 inches long.	Zones 7, 8, 9, 10.	Use this plant as a barrier. The spines will make people go around it.	Low. Needs 10 in. or less per year.	Be careful using this plant near walkways and patios because of its thorns.				Plant	thwhitethorn.jpg	Benson, L. & Darrow, R.  (1954).  The trees and shrubs of the Southwestern deserts.  Tucson, AZ:  University of Arizona Press and The University of New Mexico Press.;  Everitt, J. & Drawe, D.  (1993).  Trees, shrubs & cacti of South Texas.  Lubbock, TX:  Texas Tech University Press.;  Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe, NM:  Red Crane Books.; Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants.  Austin, TX: Texas Monthy Press.;  Photograph: Norm Lownds.	1		acacia1.jpg	This plant grows well in hot, dry,  locations. It likes full sun and a well-drained soil, and does well in shallow, alkaline, caliche soils. It is tough, needs almost no watering, and is easy to transplant from containers.		Height: up to 18 ft. (540 cm), but usually 3 to 10 ft. (1 - 3 m).	
Orchid Tree		Anacacho Bauhinia		Fabaceae  (Legume, or Pea family)	Bauhinia congesta	Mountain forests and along lakes, rivers and streams.					The orchid tree is a small tree. Its unusual leaves are in pairs and divided almost to the leaf base. The stem is a shiny brown-gray. The foliage is a soft-textured, medium green.  White flowers cover the orchid tree in spring. 		The orchid tree is native to central Texas and to some isolated areas in West Texas.		White flowers (racemes) cover the plant in March and April.	Brown pod, 2 to 3 in. long; splits open at maturity to spread seeds. 	Zones 8, 9, 10.	This plant is used for its showy flowers and interesting foliage.  	Medium.  Needs 21 to 25 in. per year.					Plant	orchidfruit.jpg	Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants: Landscaping region by region.  Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly Press.;  Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	3		orchidfull.jpg	The orchid tree needs protection from winter winds.  Plant in partial shade in well-drained, slightly alkaline soils.  No extra fertilizer is needed.  Regular watering is necessary.		Height: 15 ft. (487 cm).	
Honey Mesquite	Glandular Mesquite	Algaroba		Fabaceae  (Legume, or Pea family)  	Prosopis glandulosa	This shrub is usually found in shallow, rocky soils throughout the desert.  In deeper soils or near streams, it grows in a more tree-like form.					The leaves are very fine, green and bipinnately compound, providing soft shade. The bark is reddish-brown and the stems are covered with straight spines. The pods range from pale brown to red. Bees produce honey from the flowers of the honey mesquite tree. 	Many Native American tribes use the pods, which taste quite sweet, in making bread. Mesquite roots are used for barbecuing.  Paint can also be made from a shiny, black substance on the bark called pitch.	Honey mesquite is native to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona, Oklahoma and Mexico.  The pods provide food for desert wildlife such as deer and javelina as well as for livestock.		Yellowish-white flowers (spikelike racemes) resemble furry caterpillars. The flowers bloom in spring. 	The fruit is a 3- to 6-in. long edible, tan pod.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/mesquitebeans.jpg">See fruit</a>	Zones 7, 8, 9, 10	Provides light shade. Can also be used as windbreak or screen.	Low.  Needs 11 in. to 15 in. per year.	Thorns may snag clothing if the shrub is planted too close to walkways or patios.				Plant	thmesquitebeans.jpg	Clark, D. E., & Hogan, E.(Eds.). (1987). The Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing.;  Everitt, J. & Drawe, D.  (1993).  Trees, shrubs & cacti of South Texas.  Lubbock, TX:  Texas Tech University Press.;  Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe:  Red Crane Books.;  Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants: Landscaping region by region.  Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly Press.;  Photographs: 1)  Norm Lownds; 2)  G. Morris Southward.	4		honeymesquite.jpg	This plant grows easily. It needs almost no watering  and will grow in poor alkaline or rocky soils.		Height: 15 - 30 ft. (457 - 914 cm). Width: Up to 20 ft. (609 cm).	
Showy Senna	Dwarf Senna, Canyon Senna			Fabaceae  (Legume, or Pea family)	Cassia wislizenii	Mountain slopes. 			Grow inside pods.		Showy senna is a multi-stemmed, medium-sized shrub with bright-yellow, showy flowers. Its oval-shaped leaves are thick and dark-green.  Young stems are green and fuzzy; older stems are darker and shiny. It is a deciduous plant, meaning it drops its leaves during fall.		Showy senna is native to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Mexico. Dwarf senna is a misnomer; showy senna is the largest of the sennas.  They are often found in small canyons, hence the nickname, canyon senna. 		Bright, yellow clusters of flowers bloom in July, August and September.	Green pod, 3 - 4 in long, turns light brown.  Looks like a short pencil. Seeds are stacked like pancakes inside the pod.	Zones 7, 8, 9, 10.	Accent plant.	Medium.  Needs 16 - 20 in per year.					Plant	thshowy.jpg	Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants.  Austin, TX: Texas Monthy Press.;  Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	5		showy3.jpg	Showy senna likes full sun with partial shade. Needs almost no watering in well-drained soil.		Height: 4 - 10 ft. (10 - 304 cm).	
Soaptree Yucca	Yucca, Spanish Dagger, Amole	Palmilla		Agavaceae  (Agave family)	Yucca elata	Desert grasslands, plains and dry hills up to 6,000-foot elevation.			Flat, black seeds are stacked in columns within the fruit. Yucca moth larvae feed on the seeds when they hatch.		Starting out as a mound of grasslike, blue-green leaves, soaptree yucca eventually grows a stem, or trunk.  As the plant matures, its old, brown leaves wilt and cover the trunk.  The pointy leaves are very slender and fibrous.  Several heads of leaves can grow from one plant.  After several years of growth, the yucca reaches a stage where it grows a stalk. White, lilylike flowers bloom at the stalk's end. The stalk can grow up to seven feet tall.  Seed capsules form and are used in decorative crafts when they dry out.    	This yucca is New Mexico's state flower. Native Americans used the plant in medicinal preparations (such as laxatives and treating arthritis). The fibrous leaves were used as sewing needles and to make baskets. The roots' lather also was used to wash hair and skin.	The yucca plant and the yucca moth (Pronuba sp.) have a unique relationship. The plant is pollinated only by the yucca moth, while the moth's larvae feed on yucca seeds. The soaptree yucca is native to New Mexico, Texas, Arizona and Utah.  Soaptree yucca is the largest of the yucca species. 		Creamy white and bell-shaped, waxy flowers grow in candelabra shaped clusters.  Blooms from May to July.  Edible and rich in vitamin C.	Pale-brown fruit is actually a seed capsule. Length:  2 - 3 in. (5 - 8 cm).	Zones 7, 8, 9, 10.	Used as an accent plant in native landscaping.	Low.  Needs 8 - 15 in per year.	Once established, soaptree yuccas can't be transplanted because they have very long taproots.				Plant	thsoaptree.jpg	Crumpler, H.  (1994).  On the trail of the desert wildflower.  New York:  Harper Collins Publisher, Inc.; Hogan, E.L. (Ed.). (1988).  Sunset western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing.;  Phillips, J.  (1995).  Plants for natural gardens.  Santa Fe:  Museum of  New Mexico Press.; Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants.  Austin, TX: Texas Monthy Press.;  Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	6		soaptree2.jpg	Soaptree yucca prefers full sun and needs almost no watering.  It grows best in well-drained soils. 		Height: Trunk: 6 - 20 ft. (180 - 600 cm). Stalk: 3 - 7 ft. (91 - 124 cm.)  Leaves: 2 - 4 ft. (60 - 120 cm.) 	
Cherry Sage	Autumn Sage			Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Salvia greggii	This shrub is found in dry,  sunny areas throughout the Southwest and in California.					Cherry sage is a compact shrub with small, fragrant leaves and red to purplish flowers that bloom all over the plant. It is usually green all year unless it freezes. Freezing may cause leaves to fall off or the shrub to die. But it grows anew next spring.	The leaves and flowers of this plant may be used to flavor soups and salads.	Cherry Sage is native to the desert Southwest, naturally growing in parts of southern New Mexico, central and western Texas and Mexico.		There are many flowers in colorful red or pink racemes all around the plant from  April to October.	Nutlets.	Zones 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.	This is a nice plant for colorful borders, hedges, ground cover, or for mass plantings.	Low. In native habitats, this plant receives 8 - 15 in. of annual precipitation.  Moderate supplemental watering is necessary, although it can survive periods of drought.					Plant	thcherrysage1.jpg	Phillips, J. (1995). Plants for natural gardens. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press.; Water, D. (1996) Xeriscape plant guide. Golden, CA: Fulcrum Publishing.; Photograph: Norm Lownds.	7		cherrysage3.jpg	Cherry sage will grow in full sun, but it looks best in partial shade. It is adaptable to a wide range of soils, and needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather.		Height:  2 - 5 ft. (60 - 152 cm).   Width: 1 - 3 ft. (30 - 91 cm).	
Creosote Bush	Greasewood	Gobernadora, Hediondilla		Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop family)	Larrea  tridentata	All over the desert.			Each of the five "wedges" of the hairy fruit contain one small, brown seed.		Creosote bush is a medium to large, native evergreen shrub with many flexible branches that have black knots on the joints. The branches begin at the bottom and grow upward at an angle. Creosote bush has pointy, yellow-green leaves that are sticky and very smelly when moistened. Yellow flowers, scattered all over the bush, resemble blades of a fan. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/creosotebloom.jpg">  See blooms</a>.	The Spanish word, hediondilla, means "little stinker." The leaves are boiled for medicinal remedies. In Arizona, the Pima used lac (a waxy secretion) from insect larvae found on the plants as glue and for waterproofing baskets.	Creosote bush is the desert's most characteristic plant. There are some crickets and grasshoppers that only live in this shrub. Creosote is poisonous to livestock and can grow in conditions deadly to other desert plants. The smell of rain during summer likely is that of wet creosote.		The yellow flowers are 1 in. (2.5 cm) wide and have five petals. They bloom from February to October, and some bloom year-round.	White, fuzzy and round. They break into five parts shaped as orange slices.	Zones 7, 8, 9, 10.	Used in native landscapes.	Very low. Does not require irrigation when it starts growing.					Plant	thcreosotebush3.jpg	MacMahon, J. (1985). Deserts. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.; Stubbendieck, J., Hatch, S.L. & Butterfield, C.H. (1992). North American range plants, 4th ed. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln, Nebraska; Whitson, T., et. al (1996). Weeds of the West. Jackson, WY: Pioneer of Jackson Hole.; Photograph: Dr. Norm Lownds, New Mexico State University; Bloom photo: Justin Van Zee.	7		creosotebush1.jpg	Creosote bush may be planted in full sun in well-drained soil. It needs almost no watering.		Height: 4 - 12 ft. (120 - 365 cm).	
Bobcat	Lynx	Gato Montes o Lince		Felidae	Lynx rufus	Desert canyons, brushland, and croplands.  	The adult bobcat doesn't have too many predators, but foxes, owls, and adult male bobcats will prey on the young bobcat.  	Carnivorous. They eat all the time and especially enjoy rabbits, mice, squirrels, woodchucks, opossums, moles, shrews, racoons, pocupines, domestic cats, birds, and even skunks!  Will even go after larger mammals, like deer, or carrion, when food is scarce.			The bobcat is a medium-sized cat with a short tail, long whiskers, and tufted ears. It looks similar to a domestic tabby cat, only much larger. It is beige-tan in summer, beige-gray in winter, and has a few black spots and stripes. Its underside is light colored. The tail also has black stripes at its tip. The bobcat's voice is loud and piercing, especially at mating time. 	Bobcats are often trapped by farmers because they prey on livestock, especially chickens. Their fur is also used for clothing and accessories.  Bobcats are very shy of people, so if you see one crossing the road take a good look!	The bobcat is found only in North America.  It gets its name from its stubby, or "bobbed" tail.  It is a very good tree climber and will swim if it has to. It also has an awkward way of running that looks like it is wobbling because its back legs are  longer than its front legs.	From 14 - 29 lbs.   (6.4 - 13 kg).								Foreprints and hindprints are each about 2 inches long with four toes and no claw marks. 	Bobcats mate in the spring, and 2-3 cubs are born around the beginning of May. 	Mammal	mam1.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;   Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;   Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	12	Bobcats are primarily nocturnal but will occasionally search for their food during the day. They wait patiently behind rocks or in thickets and jump out when a meal is within reach.  They are solitary animals coming together only at mating season.    They will make a den, with a nest of leaves or other dry vegetation.  They prefer to make this in a rocky shelter, but will find other protected areas if they need to.	big_mam1.jpg			Length:  28 - 49 in.  (71 - 125 cm).  Tail:  4 - 7 in.  (10 - 17 cm).	
Black-tailed Jackrabbit				Leporidae	Lepus californicus	Desert and open woodlands.  Common throughout the Southwest in grasslands and bush.	Coyotes, bobcats, foxes, hawks, owls, and snakes.	Herbivorous. They eat plants, especially alfalfa, mesquite leaves, and prickly pears.			Black-tailed jackrabbits are sandy or gray on top and white, or light gray underneath. The short tail has a black stripe on top. They have very long ears, and very large back feet. 	In the late 1800's and 1900's, several of the natural predators of these rabbits were killed off.  Because they can give birth to many young each year,  jackrabbits began competing with other grazers for food. This helped cause the overgrazing of the desert grasslands. 	The jackrabbit is actually a hare, not a rabbit, since the young are born furry and with open eyes. These animals can run up to 40 mph and hop up to a distance of 25 feet!  When alarmed, they may freeze and move their big ears around, listening for danger. Sometimes they alert other blacktails by thumping the ground with their back feet. Blacktails drink very little water, depending on their food for most of their moisture.  If near a large body of water, they are good swimmers, using all four feet to "dog-paddle".	From  4 - 8 lbs.  (1.8 - 3.6 kg).									Breed year-round, usually having 1 - 4 litters annually. Each litter can have as many as 8 babies, which are born in a nest hollowed out of the foliage and lined with soft hair from the mother's chest.	Mammal	mam2.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: R.W. Barbour.  	13	Blacktails are diurnal. They rest during most of the day, becoming active in late afternoon. 	big_mam2.jpg			Length: 1.5 -  2 ft. (about 32 - 61 cm). Tail: 2 - 4.5 in.   (about  5 - 11 cm).  Ears: 3.5 - 5 in. (about 8 - 13 cm).	
Mountain Lion	Cougar, Puma, Catamount, Panther	Puma or Leon Americano		Felidae	Felis concolor	Open woodlands, deserts, and rugged mountain forests. Their numbers diminished for many years, and now they are plentiful in only a few states, primarily the Rocky Mountain states and the Southwest.	Humans have been the most common predator of the mountain lion, mainly because of livestock protection.	Carnivorous. They mostly eat deer but also eat coyotes, mice, rabbits and birds.			A mountain lion is a large cat that is yellow-tan above, and whitish on the underside. Its head is small for the size of its body, and its tail is long (20 - 36 inches) with a black tip. Young mountain lions have faint black spots. But these spots disappear by adulthood.  They make many sounds such as screams, hisses and growls.  It can also whistle when alarmed. Its mating call sounds like a woman's scream.	Despite a fierce reputation, mountain lions rarely attack humans, although they occasionally prey on livestock. They are solitary hunters who prefer undisturbed habitat; most live in rugged mountain areas. Their numbers have decreased in many areas of New Mexico. But with federal action, some areas have begun to see an increases population of the lions.	These cats are excellent jumpers, tree climbers and fast runners; they can outrun deer for short distances. Mountain lions hunt by widely ranging over their territory, sometimes traveling as far as 25 miles a night. They slowly sneak upon prey and pounce when close enough.	From 150 - 200 lbs.  (68 - 91kg).								Large, rounded and cat-like, with 4 toes and no claw marks. Tracks in a straight line, back foot possibly overlapping the front.	Mountain lions have no special breeding season, but 1 - 6 young are usually born in mid- to late-summer, every other year. The cubs are raised by their mother for 1 - 2  years before leaving to live on their own. 	Mammal	mam3.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  R.W. Barbour.  	14	Unlike most cats which are nocturnal, mountain lions may also be diurnal. Each lion lives alone, and has a set territory in which it hunts.  <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/mammal/mtlionsleep.jpg">Sleeping lion</a>	big_mam3.jpg			Length: 5 - 8 ft.  (152 - 244 cm).	
Coyote		Coyote	Coyotl (Nahuatl Indians from Mexico)	Canidae	Canis latrans	Desert, open woodlands, and brushland throughout most of the US.	Bears and mountain lions.	Omnivorous, although they prefer a diet heavy in meat. Favorite foods are jackrabbits, mice, squirrels, and other small mammals, birds, frogs, snakes, insects, fruit and plant material, and occasionally, a small deer. They will eat almost anything!!		The average is from 6 - 8 years, although some have been documented to live to 18 years!	Coyotes are gray to reddish-gray in color, with white fur underneath and a black-tipped bushy tail. They have long legs, that are often yellowish or rust colored, and the front legs have a vertical dark stripe. Coyotes communicate with each other using many different sounds including dog-like barks and yips, squeaks, growls, and howls.	Called "song dog" or "trickster" by Native American people, there are varied myths and legends about the coyote's role in human affairs. Many farmers and ranchers believe coyotes to be dangerous to livestock, and so hunt and trap them. Their pelts are also valuable. Unlike many other hunted predators, coyotes have been able to thrive in areas of human population, and have managed to multiply in numbers.	Part of the dog family, the coyote's scientific name means "barking dog". Coyotes are strong swimmers, and the best runners in the dog family.  They can run 25 - 30 mph, and sprint up to 40 mph.  They have been known to wander as far as 400 miles! Coyotes live in a group called a pack but do not have permanent homes.  Coyotes run with their tail sticking up, unlike the domestic dog or wolf who run with their tails down.	From 20 - 45 lbs.  (9.07 - 20.4 kg).								Similar to dog tracks but in a straighter line. Each paw-print is about 2 inches long, and 4 toed with claw marks.	Coyotes mate in early spring, with approximately 6 pups born in a burrow two months later. Pups often stay with the family for six months to a year. Coyotes breed for the first time between 1 and 2 years old, and keep the same mate for many years - sometimes for life.	Mammal	mam4.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr.(1986).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: R.W. Barbour.  	15	They are primarily nocturnal, although are sometimes be seen during the day in colder weather. Their hunting habits can vary from solitary hunting in areas of small prey, to pack hunting when bringing down larger animals.	big_mam4.jpg			Length:  3.5 - 4 ft. (about 106 - 122 cm).	
Gray  Wolf	Timber Wolf, Lobo	Lobo		Canidae	Canis lupus	Desert grasslands, open woodlands and mountain forests.  Now extinct in most of its former  territory. There is discussion about reintroducing the wolf into areas of the Chihuahuan Desert near White Sands National Monument.	Humans	Carnivorous. They eat deer, moose, mountain sheep, small mammals, birds, fish, and insects.		10 years in captivity.	Gray wolves resemble large, German shepherd dogs, but gray wolves have longer legs and are more graceful. They have a long, bushy tail with a black tip. Its coarse fur is especially thick around the neck. It has a broad head. Gray wolves come in many colors such as gray, brown and white (colder climates). When a wolf runs, its tail sticks straight backward. Gray wolves can make many voices, including dog-like barks and yips, squeaks, growls, and the famous night-time howling.	Wolves are thought to be the direct ancestors of domestic dogs, man's closest animal companions. Unfortunately, due to their undeserved bloodthirsty reputation (associated with the idea of werewolves), wolves were hunted to near extinction in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Some people report seeing wolves in mountains, but most scientists think they instead are coyotes or feral dogs. Throughout the world, legends have been built around wolves because of their intelligence and well-organized social structure. Many native Americans consider the wolf among the most important animal spirits. 	Almost all adult gray wolves live in well-organized packs of up to 15 members. The wolves mark their territories and defend them against non-member wolves. Occasionally there are single wolves who wander over a large area alone. This is the basis for the term "lone wolf"÷which is descriptive of a person who chooses to spend a lot of time alone.	From 60 - 100 lbs.  (27.22 - 45.36 kg).								Wolf tracks are similar to dog tracks, only larger (about 5 inches long). Their tracks have 4 toes with claw marks.	Gray wolves mate in early spring. Between 5 and 14 helpless young are born in late spring (May-June) in a burrow. Only the alpha (dominant male of a pack) male and female will breed. All members of the pack will help to feed and care for the young. Wolves stay with their parents for 1 - 3 years before going out on their own. Gray wolves mate for life.	Mammal	mam5.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Long, K. (1996).  Wolves: A wildlife handbook. Boulder, CO: Johnson Books.;   MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Paul, W. J., & Gipson, P. S. (1994). Wolves. in S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.). Prevention and control of wildlife damage.  Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. (1980). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour.  	16	Gray wolves are nocturnal during summer season, both diurnal and nocturnal during winter. They mostly hunt in the evening or at night and may travel for hours to bring down prey.  An adult gray wolf can eat 18 - 20 pounds of meat in a short time. If they kill a large animal, they may stay at the kill site for several days to finish it. Or they may drag back or bury part of the carcass if it is small enough to move.	big_mam5.jpg			Length: 5.5 ft.  (167.24 cm).	
Gray  Fox		Zorra		Canidae	Urocyon cinereoargenteus	Desert, open woodlands, and rocky areas.	Domestic and wild dogs, coyotes, bobcats, humans	Omnivorous. They eat rabbits, mice, birds, insects, plants such as corn, nuts, and fruits. They hunt by stalking in a catlike fashion, rather than running prey down like the larger canines.			The gray fox is a grayish-red canine with reddish underneath and a white throat. The ears are pointed, and the long, bushy tail has a black tip and a black stripe running down the top. If caught in the light at night, the eyes glow a bright yellowish-green. Foxes make many different kinds of sounds, including barks and yips that sound very much like a dog's.	Foxes are often trapped by humans to use the fur for clothing.  Foxes have a reputation for slyness and often show up in fairy tales and folk stories as very clever characters. 	Gray foxes are the only members of the dog family (Canidae) that can climb trees. They frequently  use trees as safe places in which to rest and eat. 	From 10 - 18 lbs.  (5 - 8 kg).								Look similar to a large domestic cat's except their claws may show.  When running, claw marks are pronounced.	Gray foxes mate in early spring, and 2 - 4 young are born from March to May. Male foxes help raise their young, but do not live with them in the den.	Mammal	mam6.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. (1980).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	17	Gray foxes are primarily nocturnal, although they sometimes hunt in thick brush during the day. They wander over a wide range, but like the coyote, may travel along the same paths every night. In summer, grey foxes will move to mountain slopes to try to stay cool; in winter, they will move to a lower altitude where it is warmer. 	big_mam6.jpg			Length: 3.5 ft.  (about 106 cm).	
Mule Deer	Black-tailed Deer or Crook's Mule Deer	Venado Burro or  Bura		Cervidae	Odocoileus hemionus	Desert grasslands and shrublands, open woodlands, riparian areas, and mountain forests. Mule deer live in almost all New Mexico habitats.	Mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, bobcats.	Herbivorous. They enjoy eating twigs and leaves of herbaceous plants, Douglas firs, cedars, yews and other trees.  They eat acorns and apples and can also eat cactus fruit, using their lips to strip the edible portion away from the spiny plant.			The mule deer is a heavy-bodied, medium sized deer with sturdy legs and very large ears. The fur is reddish or yellowish-brown above in summer, and grayish in winter. The undersides are lighter with white patches on the rump, in the ears, on the insides of the legs, and on the throat. The tail is white on top with a noticeable black tip.  The tail sticks straight out behind them when running. A male is a buck, a female is a doe, and the young are called fawns.  Bucks have wide antlers with few branches. The young are born spotted.  Males are larger than females.	Mule deer are often hunted for their antlers and their meat. Most of the deer's natural predators were greatly reduced or eliminated during the early 1900's. Today the deer population is often limited by food shortages.  Deer are protected by law and can only be hunted at certain times of the year.  Mule deer also cause damage to crops and timber.	The name mule deer comes from the animal's oversized ears. These ears can move independently of each other and move almost constantly, just like a mules!  This deer is a good swimmer and will migrate at different times of the year to find food and avoid bad weather.	Male:  110 - 475 lbs. (50-215 kg).   Female:  70 - 160 lbs.   (32 - 73 kg).								The foreprint and hindprint look like narrow split hearts with a pointed toe.	Mule deer mate in winter. 1 to 2 young are born from June - August. Fawns travel with their mothers for 1 - 2 years, and don't begin to breed until after their second summer.  A male who is mostly solitary, will breed with many does in the area, and a doe will breed with many different males.	Mammal	mam8.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1986). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	18	Mule deer are both diurnal and nocturnal. In the summer, they are active in the morning, evening, and on moonlit nights because these are the cooler parts of the day. In winter they may feed at mid-day also. However, during most of the year, mule deer will hide in the shade of large rocks and mesquites until late afternoon.  They will come out to find water, either in a natural source or in a cattle tank, before moving on to browse. Mule deer often migrate seasonally to follow the available food, going to higher elevations in the summer and lower elevations in the winter.	big_mam8.jpg			Length: 3.5  - 6.5 ft.  (107 - 198 cm).  Antlers spread:  4 ft.  (122 cm).	muledeerbn.jpg
White-tailed Deer	Whitetail  or Virginia Deer			Cervidae	Odocoileus virginianus	Mountain forests, canyons, open woodlands, and riparian areas. They sometimes wander down to the lowland desert from nearby mountains.	Mountain lions, wolves, coyotes, and bobcats.	Herbivorous. They eat plant material, especially woody twigs and leaves, herbs, nuts and even corn.		Up to 10 years in captivity	The white-tailed deer is a tan or reddish-brown, hoofed mammal with white fur on its belly, throat, and inside of the ears. Its short tail is brown on top and white underneath and on the sides. The bucks antlers are branched off one main beam that curves forward over its head.  The male is called a buck, the female is called a doe, and the spotted young are called fawns.	This is a popular big game animal.  However, in some parts of the United States, the white-tailed deer is very abundant, mainly because of hunting restrictions.  It carries ticks that have Lyme disease, which can be fatal to humans.  Hunting of both buck and doe have started to reduce the herds.	These deer are good swimmers and fast runners, able to run up to 35 miles per hour! When a white-tailed deer senses danger, it lifts its tail and wags it from side to side, flashing white fur as a warning to other deer about the danger.  When nervous, this deer will snort through its nose and stamp its hooves, sending a signal to others.	About 100 lbs.  (45.36 kg).								Hoofed prints with 2 toes, about 3 inches in length.	White-tailed deer mate in December or January, and 1-2 young are born in June or July.	Mammal	thwhtaildeer.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. (1980).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	19	White-tailed deer are diurnal.  They are very active in the morning, evening, and on moonlit nights because these are the cooler parts of the day. In winter they may feed at mid-day also. However, during most of the year, the deer will hide in the shade of trees during mid-day.  White-tailed deer often migrate seasonally to follow the available food and to stay in cooler temperatures, going to higher elevations in the summer and lower elevations in the winter.	whtaildeer.jpg			Length: 5 ft.  (152 cm).	
Mexican Free-tailed Bat	Brazilian Free-tailed Bat			Molossidae	Tadarida brasiliensis	Bats occupy the caves, canyons, cliff crevices, and rocky outcroppings of the desert, as well as mine tunnels, old buildings, and under railroad bridges.	Owls, hawks, bobcats, snakes, racoons, and housecats.  Bats also die by the ingestion of pesticides in their insect prey, which is stored in their fat and released when the fat is used.	Insectivorous. They eat moths, ants, beetles, leafhoppers, and other insects. Free-tailed bats can eat up to one-third their body weight each night!		Up to 18 years.	The most common bat in the Southwest, the Brazillian free-tailed bat is also the smallest free-tailed bat.  It is dark gray or brown, with long, slim wings and somewhat larger hind legs. A special bone structure allows the bats to shorten the front legs which helps form the outstretched wings.  When you look at the fur closely, you can see that the bottom part of each hair is white. The free-tailed bat gets its name from its long, thin, hairless tail that resembles a mouse's tail. Short, wide ears join over the nose to form a thin-skinned sonar receiver.	Brazilian free-tailed bats produce guano - bat droppings, which have been historically mined for fertilizer and other products. One of the most famous bat colonies is in Carlsbad Caverns National Monument in New Mexico.  Every evening they exit the cave in groups, from a few at a time to large, black "clouds"  of 5,000 to 10,000 bats per minute!!  It is quite a site to see!!  Bats are feared by many humans because they occasionally get rabies from a bat bite or rarely from the airborne virus.	Like most bats, free tails use echolocation to navigate, locate, and hunt insects. They produce high frequency sounds, usually above the range of human hearing, which bounce off of objects as if they were using sonar. They leave their caves in large flocks, and may fly as high as 9,000 feet for 50 miles.  Possessing the fastest hearbeat of any mammal: 700 beats a minute, bats can slow their heartrate to a barely perceptable pulse and drop their temperature when hibernating in cold weather.	Average .75 oz.  (20.6 g).								Bats do not commonly leave tracks since they fly to get from place to place. 	Brazilian free-tails mate in fall or early spring and the young are born in early summer.  The gestation period is 75 to 85 days.  Usually female bats have only one baby each year. The young are born blind and completely helpless, but are ready to forage for themselves within a few weeks.	Mammal	mam10.jpg	Brown, L. (1997). A guide to the mammals of the Southeastern United States.  Knoxville, TN: The University of Tennesee Press.;  Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;   Whitaker, J. O. (1980).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour.  	20	Bats are generally nocturnal, which is why their navigation system is so important. When sunset arrives, they begin to fly in circles in their cave, and after circling a couple of times, they leave the cave in a spiral pattern. At sunrise, after spending the night feeding on insects, the bats return home to roost. Mexican free-tailed bats that live in the Southwest migrate to Mexico, usually at the end of October, and return to their northern homes in March to mate.  If they don't live in the Southwest, they will hibernate.  The groups they live in are called colonies which number in the millions.	big_mam10.jpg			Length: 3.5 - 4.5 in.  (8.9 - 11 cm).   Wingspan: 10 in. (25 cm).	
Small-footed Myotis	Western Small-footed Myotis			Vespertilionidae	Myotis ciliolabrum	As many other species of bats, this bat is widespread throughout New Mexico, in mountain forests, and caves and canyon crevices in the desert. They may also hibernate in mineshafts.  		Insectivorous. They eat moths, wasps, mosquitoes, and other flying insects.			The small-footed myotis is a little yellowish-brown bat, with black ears, wings, and face.  The ears are big and look like mouse ears.  Underneath the color is buff to white, and the fur is very glossy.  Its tail is very short and it has a small flap, called a keel, that supports the edge of its tail membrane. 	Bats are very helpful to human beings because they kill large quantites of insects. However, they are feared by people because of their rat-like appearance and because they sometimes carry rabies. We have even used the bat as the model for one of our scariest horror creatures - the vampire!	As with all bats, small-footed myotis navigate by echolocation. They do this by producing high frequency sounds which bounce off of objects as if they were using sonar!  These sounds are so high pitched that the human ear cannot hear them!  One thing that a myotis has different than other bats is the type of teeth it has.  The myotis has two tiny teeth between the canine and larger cheek teeth, forming a large space.	Very light.  About 1/16 - .25 oz.  (2.8 - 7g).								Bats do not commonly leave tracks, since they  fly from place to place.	These bats mate in fall or early spring and have 1 baby in May or early June.  The young are born blind and completely helpless, but are ready to forage for themselves within a few weeks.	Mammal	mam11.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	21	Like most bats, the small-footed myotis is nocturnal. The bats feed themselves by flying back and forth in a clearing, and capturing bugs in their mouths or in their wing membranes. In winter, these bats hibernate in small groups in caves. 	big_mam11.jpg			Length: 3 - 3.5 in.  (7.6 - 9 cm).	
Ord's Kangaroo Rat		Rata Canguro		Heteromyidae	Dipodomys ordi	Desert grasslands and sandy areas.	Rattlesnakes, owls, badgers, bobcats, ringtails, weasels, skunks, foxes, and coyotes.	Herbivorous. They eat desert grass seeds, mesquite, tumbleweed, sunflowers, Russian thistle, and sandburs.		Up to 7 1/2 years	The Ord's kangaroo rat is buff color on top and white below. It has a long, white-striped tail, and white spots above its eyes and on the bottom of its ears. Its hind feet are long and has five toes. This little rodent has pouches in its cheeks for transporting food to its burrows.  To communicate with others it drums its feet or makes a soft chirping sound.		Kangaroo rats are closely related to pocket mice and ground squirrels. They get the "kangaroo" part of their name from the way they hop like kangaroos. In fact, this little rodent can hop up to 8 feet at a time!  Kangaroo rats like to take dust baths to keep their fur from getting too greasy, often using the same location many times.  	Very light, from 1.75 - 3.5 oz.  (50 - 96 g).								When walking, paw prints from the fore feet are small and round, while the hindfeet tracks are much larger, having five toes, and a shape like a triangle. The tail also leaves a  drag mark. 	Kangaroo rats usually breed in late spring, and give birth to 1 - 6 babies at a time, once or twice a year.  The females raise the young, who stay in their burrows until they are full grown (for about 2 months).	Mammal	mam12.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Howard, V. W., Jr. (1994). Kangaroo rats. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour.  	22	Ord's kangaroo rats are nocturnal. They spend the hottest part of the day in deep burrows, where the air remains cooler and more humid than on the surface. They also plug up the burrow entrances during the day to retain temperature and humidity. These burrows are built with several extra  entrances that the rats can use to escape from predators when necessary.	big_mam12.jpg			Length: 8 - 11 in.  (20 - 28 cm).	
Echinacea	Purple Coneflower, Black Sampson, Sampson Root			Asteraceae (Composite, or Sunflower, family)	Echinacea angustifolia, E. purpurea	Prairies, open woodlands, roadsides and fields from Southern Canada to Texas.					Echinacea flowers have distintive, cone-shaped centers. They resemble the flowers of a black-eyed Susan. Purple petals fan out or droop. This perennial has pale to dark-green foliage. Stems are long and fuzzy. Leaves are long and oval-shaped with coarse-toothed margins.
The name is from the Greek word for hedgehog because the flower center cones resemble hedgehog quills.	Native Americans have used the plant to treat snake and insect bites and burns. It is still regarded by many as an effective, wound-healing herb. If taken at the onset of a cold, the herb fights the bacteria that make one ill.	Native to North America, the black root of echinacea is harvested for medicinal purposes.  It is reported to stimulate the immune system to fight infections.		Blooms mid to late summer. <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/plant/echinaceabloom2.jpg">Flowers</a> are composite, solitary heads 3 - 4 in. (8 - 10 cm) across. The centers are purple with purple ray flowers.		Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.	An attractive garden plant with a slight fragrance and many blooms. A nice addition to native plant gardens that will attract butterflies.	Low but needs a weekly deep watering as it flowers.	Leaf spot or Japanese Beetles at times cause problems.				Plant	thechinaceabloom.jpg	Chevallier, A. (1996). The encylopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Publishing Inc.; Phillips, J. (1995). Plants for natural gardens. Santa Fe: Museum of New Mexico Press.; Water, D. (1996). Xeriscape plant guide. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.; Weiss, G. & Weiss, S. (1985). Growing & using the healing herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Photograph: David B. Richman.	23		echinaceaplant.jpg	This plant does best in fertile, well-drained soil. It is easy to grow from seed, and works well in full sun to light shade. Plants should be spaced about two feet apart. Spent flowers should be removed for continued blooming.		Height: 2 ft. (61 cm). Width: 20 in. (51 cm).  Leaves:  3 - 8 in. (8 - 20 cm).	
Catnip				Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Nepeta cataria	Along roadsides and in mountain forests. 			Tiny, smooth nutlets		Friend of felines and member of the mint family, catnip grows wild all over North America.  A gray-green perennial with a square stem, catnip grows in a mound shape. Leaves are coarse-toothed with heart-shaped bases and covered in white fuzz.	Native to Eurasia, early settlers brought catnip to America where it is now naturalized.  The tea has a calmative effect and was often used as a digestive aid. Today, it is most commonly used in toys for cats.	While calming and soothing to humans, cats are attracted to catnip in toys and in the garden.  Cats love to roll and play in this herb.  		Tubular clusters of white flowers with purple and pink spots and red anthers. Blooms from July to September.		Zones 3, 4.	Used as an aromatic herb in the garden.	Requires less water than other members of the mint family.	A cat proof fence may needed in the garden. 				Plant		Chevallier, A. (1996). The encylopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Publishing;  Kowalchik & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987). Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Water, D. (1996). Xeriscape plant guide. Golden, CO: Fulcrum Publishing.; Weiss, G. & Weiss, S. (1985). Growing & using the healing herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.	25			Catnip prefers full sun to part shade. It grows in sandy, well-drained soil with a pH of 6.6.		Height: 2 to 3 ft. (60-90 cm).	
Yarrow	Milfoil, Soldier's Woundwort			Asteraceae  (Composite, or Sunflower family)	Achillea  millefolium	Grows as a weed, especially along roads and in fields.  Grows wild in woodlands and meadows.					Plant of a thousand leaves, yarrow is a perennial with soft, fernlike, grey-green foliage growing on tall stems.  Clusters of small, white daisylike flowers top off the herb. The leaves are pinnately divided.	Historically, this herb has been used for everything from treating wounds to telling fortunes.  It is said to have been the favorite herb of Achilles, a Greek hero of the Iliad.	Yarrow is native to temperate regions in Europe, but is now common throughout North America.  The nickname soldier's woundwort came about from the use of the plant as an anesthetic.		Small, daisy-like heads bloom in flattened clusters at the ends of stems from June to September. Flowers come in many colors, including white, pink, and bright yellow.	Small, silver-colored, winged achenes.	Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10	This is a common bedding plant. It is very attractive as a perennial border or in rock gardens. Some believe it is a good companion plant to other herbs. It is also used to attract beneficial insects such as lady beetles and predatory wasps.	Medium, although established plants can endure drought.	Some occasional powdery mildew, rust, or stem rot.				Plant	thyarrow.jpg	Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc.; Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987).  Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Weiss, G. & Weiss, S.  (1985).  Growing & using the healing herbs.  Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.;  Photograph:   Justin Van Zee.	26		yarrow.jpg	Yarrow thrives in slightly acidic, well-drained soil.  It prefers full sun. Grows both from seed or divisions.		Height: up to 3 ft. (90 cm).	
Tiger Salamander		Tigre Salamandre		Ambysomidae	Ambystoma tigrinum	Tiger salamanders can be found in the desert or forest, near ephemeral ponds or permanent aquatic environments. They prefer deep, clear lakes or non-flowing water for breeding.	Snakes, otters, diving beetles, turtles, herons, alligators, coyotes, bobcats, gulls, raccoons, fish, leeches, tiger salamanders, crawfish, dragonfly larvae.	Tiger salamanders are carnivorous. Favorite foods are insects, worms, snails, fish, tadpoles, leeches, mice, and other salamander larvae.		Up to 25 years. 	As adults, these amphibians have yellow or tan tigerlike markings on an olive, black or brown body. Their legs are stout and they have large heads with small widely spaced eyes. The front feet have four fingers, back ones have five toes, with no claws on either. The yellowish-green larvae, which live under water, are called waterdogs. They have wide tail fins and each has a golden stripe down the length of its body.	The larvae of this salamander are called water dogs, and are commonly used by fisherman as bait. 	Tiger salamanders are the biggest land-dwelling salamanders in the world. When ponds become crowded with many larvae, some of the salamanders develop with large heads and mouths and become cannibals, eating their smaller brothers and sisters.   
										Tiger salamanders mate at about one year old in still water. The time of year may vary, depending on when the rains come.  Eggs stay near the bottom of the pond or pool, attached to debris. Females lay up to 5000 eggs!  She abandons the eggs once they are laid, and they hatch 2 - 5 weeks later. They become adults and move to land after some months in the water. 
 	Reptile	thtigersalamander.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Tyning, T. F. (1990). A guide to amphibians and reptiles. Boston, MA:  Little, Brown.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	27	Adults spend most of their time underground  near the water, in old rodent or crayfish burrows. This keeps them from drying out and becoming mummified.  They may be active above ground in wet weather, especially at night during heavy rains.	tigersalamander.jpg			Length: 9 - 13 in. (23 - 33 cm).	
Texas Horned Lizard	Horned Toad; Horny Toad	Lagarto Cornudo		Iguanidae	Phrynosoma cornutum	Texas horned lizards inhabit open desert and grasslands in sandy, gravely soil.	Snakes, harris hawks, roadrunners, grasshopper mice.	Texas horned lizards are insectivorous. Favorite foods are ants, beetles, caterpillars, sowbugs and spiders.  They can eat up to 100 ants per day.		At least 9 years	This reptile has a flat body covered with hornlike spines, and a tail that is twice as long as its head. It is black or brown with dark blotches, and often has a light line running down the middle of its back. It also has a dark brown stripe across the top of its head. 	The Texas horned lizard was named the state reptile of Texas in 1992. Many Native American tribes have important legends about the horned lizard's importance in healing, and have used its image in pottery, carvings, and other arts and crafts. The Zuni and Piman people look up to the horned toad as an ancient, powerful, and very respected creature. For example, the Zuni Indians have a tale of a hunter who was turned into a mouse by a jealous wizard. He was taken to the Great Horned- Lizard Medicine Band, a group of human sized horned lizards, who were powerful healers. Using their special knowledge and powers, they were able to restore him. The Papagos and Pimas of Arizona think of the horned lizard as a being to be especially respected because of its dangerous strengths. An offended horned lizard causes staying sickness, which can only be cured by ritual healing songs.	Texas horned lizards have many kinds of defenses. They can hide from predators through camouflage. They can also squirt blood out of their eyes directly at a predator to chase it away! And the lizard's horns can kill a snake who tries to eat it by getting stuck in the snake's neck. 										Texas horned lizards begin breeding at around the age of 2 in spring or early summer. The female lays 13 - 45 eggs into a nest she has dug.  The young will hatch in about 5 weeks, using a specialized "egg tooth" to break through the covering.	Reptile	thtexashornedlizard.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Sherbrooke, W. (1981). Horned lizards: Unique reptiles of Western North America. Globe, AZ:  Southwest Parks and Monument.;  Tyning, T. F. (1990). A Guide to amphibians and reptiles. Boston, MA:  Little, Brown.;  Photograph: 1. Doug Burkett  2. New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.	28	Texas horned lizards are diurnal. In the morning, they dig their heads out of their burrow and stay partially buried until their body temperature is warm enough for them to be able to move quickly in case of danger. This is necessary because a lizard is cold-blooded, and is sluggish in the colder weather. During mid summer, they spend the hottest part of the day in a burrow or in shady, cool places. The Texas horned lizard hibernates from late fall to early spring.	txlizard.jpg			Length: 2.25 - 4 in. (6 - 10 cm).	
Gila Monster		Monstro de Gila		Helodermatidae	Heloderma suspectum	Gila monsters inhabit desert scrub; less often in grasslands or woodlands in rocky regions and canyons.	Owl, kit fox, rattlesnake.	Gila monsters are carnivorous. They especially like bird's eggs, desert tortoise eggs, and young mammals.		Up to 20 years.	This lizard is a stocky reptile with brightly colored pink or orange scaly skin that is covered with black bands and black or brown blotches. It has a large thick head, and thick legs with curved claws. The tail is fat with black bands across it.	Despite its scary name and reputation, the gila monster is generally a gentle animal. It will hiss at an attacker before leaping at him. It releases a poison from its mouth which is deadly to small animals.	The gila monster is the largest lizard native to the US.  It is also the only poisonous one.  This animal is rarely found in the Chihuahuan Desert, but usually lives in the Mojave and the Sonoran deserts in Arizona and California. They often share their winter dens with several other gila monsters. Their tails are used to store fat for hibernating, and there is often enough fat to keep them alive for several years! 										Female gila monsters lay an average of 5 eggs in the summer which hatch approximately 8 months later.	Reptile	thgilamonster.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Tyning, T. F. (1990).  A guide to amphibians and reptiles. Boston, MA:  Little, Brown.;  Tweit, S. (1992). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK:  Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  Doug Burkett.	29	Gila monsters are cold-blooded, so they are primarily nocturnal in the summer. Otherwise they would overheat. They hibernate from December to March, although they may be active during warm spring or winter days.	gilamonster.jpg			Length: 18 - 24 in. (45.7 - 61.0 cm).	
Collared Peccary	Javelina; Musk Hog; Wild pig	Javelina		Dicotylidae	Tayassu tajacu	Desert and riparian areas. Goes no higher than 7000 feet.   Likes rocky canyons. They range from South Texas, to Southeast Arizona and parts of Southern New Mexico.	Occasionally coyotes may kill a lone peccary, but they are usually safe when traveling in herds.	Primarily herbivorous and frugivorous (fruit-eating). They eat the fruits and pads of prickly pear cactus, mesquite beans, lechugilla and other shrubs, nuts and berries. They occasionally eat small insects. Peccaries depend on cactus fruit for much of their water.		Up to 10 years	A peccary is a  pig-like animal with razor-sharp tusks and hoofed feet. It is gray or black with a mane of black hair on the back of its neck and shoulders. It also has a yellowish or whitish tinge on its cheeks and between its shoulder blades.  Like a pig, the peccary's tail is so short that it can hardly be seen from a distance. When alarmed, it makes a noise that sounds like a cross between a bark and a cough.	Peccaries have a bad reputation because of their sharp tusks and wild boar appearance. However, they would usually rather run away from danger than attack. Their tusks and unusual look makes them a prize to human hunters. The meat is also edible, although the scent gland must be cleaned out before preparing. Some ranchers like having peccaries on their property because they help keep the prickly pear cactus from growing out of control.	It has a gland on its back that gives off a strong musky odor used to communicate with other peccaries. Early explorers did not know what this gland was and thought that the javalina's navel was on its back! Peccaries live in bands of five to fifteen animals, which really helps when they meet up with predators.	From 50 - 55 lbs.   (about 23 - 25 kg).								It has four toes on its front feet and only three toes on its hind feet.	Peccaries may mate any time of year. Pregnancy lasts for 4 - 5 months. They have 1 - 4 babies per litter, each baby weighing about 1 pound. The young stay with their mother until they are about 2 to 3 months old.	Mammal	thcollaredpeccary.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. (1980).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: Dick Cole - New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service. 	30	Collared peccaries are diurnal. They are active mainly in the early morning and late afternoon.  When the midday heat arrives, they rest in caves, under foliage, or in holes rooted in the ground. The peccary originally moved to the Southwest from a humid climate with more foliage. Although they have adapted well to the desert, peccaries still prefer to live in areas where there are sheltering trees that protect them from winter cold and summer sun.	collaredpeccary.jpg			Length: 2.5 ft.  (about 62 cm).	collaredpeccbn.jpg
Trans Pecos Rat Snake				Colubridae	Bogrtophis subocularis	Trans pecos rat snakes inhabit desert terrain, often of limestone, lava, or granite,  with lots of cracks and hiding places into which these snakes can burrow. 		Trans pecos rat snakes are carnivorous. They love to eat mice, gophers, lizards, small birds, and bats. They kill their prey by looping coils around and squeezing the animal to death.		15 - 20 years in captivity.	This medium-sized reptile is a mustard-yellow or tan color, with H-shaped black markings on its back. No other snake in this part of the world has similar coloration and pattern. The 7 rows of scales on the center of its back are ridged, but the rest of the scales are smooth.	Since these snakes are not aggressive toward people, they are popular as pets.	This snake has an unusual relationship with the tick, aponomma elaphense. As many as 100 at a time may live on a ratsnake without harm to the snake. One of the reasons the ticks live on this particular snake is because of its habit of burrowing deep underground during the day, which protects the tick from excess heat.										Trans pecos rat snakes mate in June, and lay 3 - 8 eggs in July. The young hatch anywhere from 2 - 3.5 months later. Several hours before breeding, the male snake will chase and bite the female as part of the courtship.	Reptile	thtranspecos2.jpg	Collins, J.T.  (1990).  Standard common and current scientific names for North American 
amphibians and reptiles.  Herpetological Circular No. 19, Society for the Study of Amphibians 
and Reptiles.;  Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico Press.;   MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stoops, E. D., & Wright, A. (1992)  Snakes and reptiles of the Southwest. Phoenix, AZ:  Golden West.;  Tennant, A. (1984). The snakes of Texas. Austin, TX: Texas Monthly.;  Photograph:  Paul W. Hyder.	33	Ratsnakes are either diurnal or nocturnal, depending on the season. They are active during the day in winter and in early spring, and during the evening hours when the weather is warm. They avoid the heat of the desert sun by spending the hot days underground in the burrows of small mammals. Like many desert snakes, they go out at night to hunt. 	transpecos2.jpg			Length: 33 - 66 in. (86 - 167.6 cm).	
Mojave Rattlesnake				Viperidae	Crotalus scutulatus	Mojave rattlers inhabit desert scrubland and creosote flatlands.	Hawks, roadrunners, badgers, coyotes, and kingsnakes.	Mojave rattlers are carnivorous. These snakes mostly eat rodents such as squirrels, gophers, mice and kangaroo rats, but at times they also hunt lizards.			This reptile is the most venemous rattlesnake in the Southwestern deserts. The mojave rattler has a triangular shaped head, and is light gray or brown in color with about 24 dark diamond-shaped blotches down its back. Its tail has alternating wide white and narrow black bands. The rattle at the tip, for which all rattlesnakes are named, is actually a series of interlocking dry segments that move against each other when the snake shakes its tail. 	Although the mojave rattler is smaller than the Western diamondback rattlesnake, its venom is between 10 and 50 times more poisonous to humans. Less than 5% of all rattlesnake victims die after being bitten, but a person bitten by a mojave rattler has a very good chance of dying. In fact, the antivenin usually used to treat rattlesnake bites does not always work against the venom of Mojave rattlers. Sometimes these snakes are aggressive and make no attempt to escape, but instead will attack when disturbed. They are very dangerous! Still, all rattlers serve a useful purpose by eating rodents that cause human disease. Currently, rattlesnake roundups and other similar events kill many rattlesnakes every year, although not enough to endanger their numbers. Rattlesnake skin is popular for boots, belts, and other clothing accessories.	Mojave rattlers hunt primarily at night by using 2 other senses - their sense of smell which is located in their tongues, and the heat sensors that are on their heads. These heat sensors, which look like small hollows or pits, let the rattlers sense the body heat of their prey. Some rattlers can detect a change in temperature of as little as 1/10 of one degree! These pits are the reason that rattlesnakes are called pit vipers. Rattlers also use their tongues to "taste" the air for the smell of prey. That is why you may see a rattlesnake poking its tongue out of its mouth. When upset, a mojave rattler will slowly wave its tail back and forth before striking, instead of rapidly shaking its rattle like most other rattlers do. After catching their prey, these rattlers, like all snakes, unhinge their jaws and swallow their meal whole.										The female rattler gives live birth to 2 - 11 young, from July to August.	Reptile	thmojave.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University Of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Tennant, A. (1984). The snakes of Texas. Austin, TX: Texas Monthly.;  Photograph: Paul W. Hyder. 	34	Mojave rattlers are diurnal or nocturnal, depending on the season. They are most active during mid-summer nights. They hibernate singly or in pairs in old animal burrows during late fall, winter, and early spring, although they may come out during warm fall and spring days to bask in the sun. 	mojave.jpg			Length: 24 - 51 in. (61 - 129.5 cm).	
Blacktail Rattlesnake				Viperidae	Crotalus molossus	Blacktail rattlers are commonly found  in the lower rocky areas of deserts and open woodlands.   However, the can also be seen in shrub deserts, riparian areas, and in mountain forests.	Hawks, roadrunners, badgers, coyotes, and kingsnakes.	Blacktail rattlers are carnivorous. They enjoy eating small mammals, such as mice and rats, lizards, and small birds. Unlike most rattlers, these snakes have been seen in trees foraging for birds in their nests and basking in the sun.		up to 10 - 15 years in captivity	Many people think this reptile is the most beautiful <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/reptile/blacktailedrattle.jpg">rattlesnake.</a> Its body is olive green, gray, or greenish yellow with brown or black blotches, and its snout is black. Despite the blacktail rattlesnake's name, the tail may be either solid black or dark brown with a  beige rattle at the tip.  This rattle, for which all rattlesnakes are named, is actually a series of interlocking dry segments that move against each other when the snake shakes its tail. Like all rattlers, the blacktail has a triangle-shaped head with a venom that is poisonous to humans.	These snakes are not generally aggressive towards people, and will escape whenever possible. All rattlers serve a useful purpose by eating rodents that cause human disease. Currently, rattlesnake roundups and other similar events kill many rattlesnakes every year, although not enough to endanger their numbers. Rattlesnake skin is popular for boots, belts, and other clothing accessories.	These rattlesnakes primarily hunt at night by using 2 other senses - their sense of smell which is located in their tongues, and the heat sensors that are on their heads. These heat sensors, which look like small hollows or pits, let the rattlers sense the body heat of their prey. Some rattlers can detect a change in temperature of as little as 1/10 of one degree! These pits are the reason that rattlesnakes are called pit vipers. Rattlers also use their tongues to "taste" the air for the smell of prey. That is why you may see a rattlesnake poking its tongue out of its mouth. After catching their prey, these rattlers, like all snakes, unhinge their jaws and swallow their meal whole.										Blacktail rattlers give birth to live young (no eggs!) in July or August. About 3-16 baby snakes are born at a time, but little else is known about their breeding.	Reptile	thblacktailrattle.jpg	Degenhardt, W.G., Painter, C.W., & Price, A.H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University Of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Tennant, A. (1984). The snakes of Texas. Austin, TX: Texas Monthly.;  Photograph: 1)  Paul W. Hyder.  2)  Doug Burkett.   	35	Blacktail rattlers are either diurnal or nocturnal, depending upon the season. They are most active at night in the summer so they won't overheat. They may be seen during midday hours in cooler weather, basking in the sun on rocks to heat their body temperatures. Although they do not actually go into full winter hibernation, they remain very inactive throughout the colder months, staying in or close to their dens.	blacktailrattle.jpg			Length: 28 - 49.5 in. (71.1 - 125.7 cm).	
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake		Cascabel		Viperidae	Crotalus atrox	Diamondback rattlers inhabit desert shrublands and grasslands in dry  washes, on rocky outcrops, or in low altitude foothills. 	Hawks, roadrunners, badgers, coyotes, and kingsnakes.	Diamondback rattlers are carnivorous. Favorite foods are small mammals such as rats, mice, rabbits, and young jackrabbits.		Up to 25 years in captivity.	This reptile is the largest rattler in the Southwestern deserts. Like all rattlesnakes, the Western diamondback has a triangle-shaped head with a venom that is poisonous to humans. This greyish-brown snake gets its name from the 25-45 dark diamond-shaped patches that go down its back. It has a whitish underside, and has black and white stripes on its tail. The rattle on its tip, for which all rattlesnakes are named, is actually a series of interlocking dry segments that move against each other when the snake shakes its tail.	Western diamondbacks kill more human beings than any other rattler, partly because they are plentiful and so meet up with people more often. The venom is not as deadly as that of the Mojave Rattler and it is not quite as aggressive either, although it will attack if it cannot escape from danger. But because of its size, it may inject a large amount of venom when it bites, which makes it very dangerous. Despite their venom, all rattlers serve a useful purpose by eating rodents that cause human disease. Currently, rattlesnake roundups and other similar events kill many of these snakes every year, although not enough to endanger their numbers. Rattlesnake hide is popular for boots, belts, and other clothing accessories.	Western Diamondback Rattlesnames hunt primarily at night by using 2 other senses - their sense of smell which is located in their tongues, and the heat sensors that are on their heads. These heat sensors, which look like small hollows or pits, let the rattlers sense the body heat of their prey. Some rattlers can detect a change in temperature of as little as 1/10 of one degree! These pits are the reason that rattlesnakes are called pit vipers. Rattlers also use their tongues to "taste" the air for the smell of prey. That is why you may see a rattlesnake poking its tongue out of its mouth. After catching their prey, these rattlers, like all snakes, unhinge their jaws and swallow their meal whole.	1.5 - 2.5 kg (3 - 5 lbs.).									Mating usually takes place in the summer, with the young being born live (no eggs!) in July or August. About 8 - 15 are born at a time. Females may stay with the young for a few days before leaving them on their own. However, the snakes are not fully mature for about 3 years.	Reptile	thwdiamondrattle.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Tennant, A. (1984). The snakes of Texas. Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly.;  Photograph: Paul W. Hyder.	36	Western diamondback rattlesnakes are either diurnal or nocturnal, depending on the season. During the summer, these snakes are active only at night so they won't overheat. During spring and fall, they usually come out during early morning and late afternoon. And in winter, they usually stay in their dens, although they may come out to sunbathe on rocks in the middle of a sunny day.	wdiamondrattle.jpg			Length: 34 - 83 7/8 in. (86.4 - 213 cm).	
Checkered Garter Snake				Colubridae	Thamnophis marcianus	Checkered garter snakes inhabit riparian areas, near rivers, streams, and irrigation ditches in croplands, usually at lower elevations.	Skunks, armadillos, coyotes, and larger snakes such as king snakes, racers, and whip snakes.	Checkered garter snakes are carnivorous. They like small fish, frogs, toads, tadpoles, lizards, and small invertebrates.			The checkered garter snake is a large, pale brown or olive green reptile with a white belly and thin, whitish stripes down its sides and back. The snake gets its name from the checkerboard pattern of dark blotches that cover its top and sides. There are 21 rows of ridged scales on its upper body.	Unlike many other snakes, the checkered garter has benefited from the changes man has made in southwestern rural areas. These snakes thrive around water, and by building irrigation canals, man has provided these snakes a new habitat.	Checkered garter snakes are able to eat certain toads and frogs, such as Couch's spadefoot or the Colorado River toad, that secrete a toxic liquid usually harmful to other animals. They seem to be immune to the poison.										Mating time seems to vary, depending on where the snakes live. About 6-18 young snakes are born live between June and October. Unlike most snakes, the checkered garter may be able to have 2 clutches in a year.	Reptile	thcheckered.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985). A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: Paul W. Hyder. 	38	Checkered garter snakes are diurnal.  They are active at all times of day when near water, although in very hot temperatures they may become nocturnal. During colder temperatures (from around November to February) they stay in a den either alone or in small groups.	checkered.jpg			Length: 18 - 42.5 inches (45.7 - 108 cm).	
Yellow Mud Turtle				Kinosternidae	Kinosternon flavescens	Yellow mud turtles inhabit arid to semi-arid desert grasslands and open woodlands below 5000 feet, preferably near  riparian areas such as shallow, sandy  ponds, rivers, or streams. These turtles spend much of their time in underground burrows on land.	Fish, water snakes, other turtles, and wading birds such as herons.	Yellow mud turtles are omnivorous. They like insects, spiders, shrimp, worms, snails, small amphibians, and water plants, and will feed both while in the water and while on land.		At least 10 years in captivity	Yellow mud turtles are the smallest turtles in New Mexico.  These turtles have gray or grayish-green skin with yellow throats and jaws. The carapace is olive green and the plastron is yellow or brownish in color.  The shells are hinged both in front and back and can be completely closed for defense. The mud turtles's head is very flat on top. They have four webbed feet and a short tail, which can be drawn into the shell when disturbed.		Yellow mud turtles will have different kinds of babies, depending on the surrounding temperature. If the weather is cool, they will have almost all males; if the weather is warm, only females will be born. When these turtles are disturbed or handled, they release a smelly substance from musk glands on their sides. 										Turtles mature between 6 and 11 years old. Females dig into the soil in the spring and lay 3 - 10 eggs, although they may not nest at all if the weather is too cool or dry. Unlike other turtles which leave the nest right after laying eggs, some females may stay with the nest for many days. The turtles hatch in the fall, although the hatchlings spend their first winter underground and dig out the following spring.	Reptile	herp7a.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM:  University of New Mexico.;  Ernst, C. H., Barbour, R. W., & Lorich, J. E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour.	39	Yellow mud turtles are diurnal. Although yellow mud turtles eat, drink, and mate in the water, they actually spend more time on land. This is because they hibernate in the winter and dig underground during hot or very dry conditions. Mud turtles will wander away from the water until they find a good place to dig a burrow, but will always return to the same water hole once they come to the surface. Amazingly, turtles can stay underground for as long as 2 years when necessary, because they store so much fat in their bodies!	big_herp7a.jpg			Length: 3.5 - 6.5 in. (9 - 16.2 cm).	
Big Bend Slider	Big Bend Turtle			Emydidae	Trachemys gaigae	Big bend turtles inhabit riparian areas.   Within the Chihuahuan Desert, they live near the Southern Rio Grande in Western Texas, parts of New Mexico and Northern Mexico, and they get their name from a national park in Texas called Big Bend National Park. 	Fish, crows, otters, and raccoons all prey on adults, while frogs, snakes, other turtles and wading birds also prey on the young.	Big bend turtles are omnivorous. They will eat almost anything that is available, including algae, water plants, fish, shrimp, snails, and insects.			The Big bend turtle is a medium sized reptile with a large, black-bordered orange spot behind its eyes. Its skin is olive-green to brown, and the front legs have narrow yellow stripes on them. It has a short tail the same color as its body. The big bend turtle's shell is oval in shape, and olive green to brown in color. 		Big bend turtles don't often move far away from their watery homes. They are often seen basking in the sun on mud banks or on the surface of the water. 										Big bend turtles mate in the spring. They lay 6 - 15 eggs in May, in holes in the ground which the females dig. Their eggs hatch during the summer.	Reptile	herp8a.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  Ernst, C. H., Barbour, R. W, &  Lorich, J. E. (1994). Turtles of the United States and Canada. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph: R.W. Barbour. 	40	Big bend turtles are diurnal. They are usually active from March to October, and are often seen in the early morning and late afternoon. Little is known of their wintertime habits.	big_herp8a.jpg			Length: 5 - 8.5 in. (13 - 22 cm).	
Red-spotted Toad	Spotted Toad, Canyon Toad			Bufonidae	Bufo punctatus	Red-spotted toads inhabit dry, rocky areas of the desert often near pools or springs, or near cattle tanks. They may also be found in riparian areas or in croplands. The tadpoles can be found in permanent aquatic environments such as desert springs, streams, and pools.	As adults, they have few predators because of the toxin they secrete. Most toad deaths result from problems with the habitat or climate.	Red-spotted toads are insectivorous. They will try most bugs in their area, although they will spit out the ones that do not taste good to them.			This amphibian is a true toad, rather than a frog. It has a flattened head with large, widely spaced eyes, a flattened body, and a pointed snout. Its upper body is light gray to olive green, and it is whitish underneath. Males have a dark throat. The red-spotted toad gets its name from the reddish bumps that cover the skin on its back.	Many people believe that handling these toads causes warts, but this is just a myth. The bumps are not warts, but are really glands filled with poison. This substance is a good defense against predators, because many animals trying to eat the toads will get sick or die. 	Because red-spotted toads are true toads, they do not dry out as easily as frogs do when out of the water. Although they usually stay near water, they may sometimes be found in burrows as far as a mile away.										These toads can breed anytime from spring to late summer. Eggs are laid, one at a time, in pools. Tadpoles hatch out of the eggs 3 days later, and change into adult toads 40 - 60 days later. The mating call of the male red-spotted toad is a high musical trill .	Reptile	thredspotted.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985). A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: Paul W. Hyder.	41	Red-spotted toads are nocturnal. They are active at night, when they hunt for insects along edges of ponds and streams. Because of their flat shape, they can always find shelter from the midday heat under rocks.  	redspotted.jpg			Length: 1.5 - 3 in. (3.8 - 7.6 cm).	
Couch's Spadefoot	Southern Spadefoot, Rain Toad, Sonoran Spadefoot			Scaphiopodidae	Scaphiopus couchii	Creosote brush desert or dry grassland desert areas with sandy well drained soil. The tadpoles are found in irrigation ditches in croplands or in ephemeral ponds and puddles created by rains.	As adults, they have few predators because of the toxin they secrete. Checkered garter snakes can eat them, but most toad deaths result from problems with the habitat, climate, or being hit on the road. Spadefeet tadpoles are cannibals, with the larger ones eating the smaller ones.	Couch's spadefeet are insectivorous. One of their favorite foods is termites, because of their high energy content. 			This broad-bodied amphibian is actually a burrowing frog, rather than a true toad. It gets its name from the long, curved structure on each hind foot, called a spade, which is used for digging. The skin color of the Couch's spadefoot ranges from brownish-green to brownish-yellow, with a cream colored belly. It has many small bumps covering the skin, but the skin between the bumps is quite smooth and very porous. The eyes of a spadefoot toad are large with vertical pupils, similar to a cat's.	Toads normally know it is safe to dig out of their winter burrows when they feel the vibrations of thunder. This tells them the summer rains have arrived, which means there will be large puddles on the surface in which to lay their eggs, and enough water to keep them from dehydrating. But human activity sometimes confuses the toads. They may dig themselves out of their burrows when the vibrations of off-road vehicles or sonic booms disturb them, because these noises are similar to thunder. The toads may then come to the surface during hot, dry weather, dehydrate, and die. 	How can an amphibian, which needs water to survive, live in the desert? Spadefoot toads do so by hibernating for as many as 10 months of every year. In fact during droughts, some spadefeet have been known to lie dormant for as long as 3 years. They can stay below ground because they do not need to eat during that time. Spadefee can actually eat enough food in one meal to last them for an entire year! The reason the toads need to remain underground is because of their porous skin, which allows them to absorb water directly from the environment instead of needing to drink. So while in their burrows, the toads can take mositure directly from the soil. However, porous skin also means that when they are exposed to the air in an arid climate with insufficient moisture for their needs, they will quickly lose water through their pores, dehydrate, and die. 										After digging themselves out of their winter burrows, male toads call to the females by making a loud bleat like a sheep that can be heard for over a mile. Females lay eggs in temporary puddles, and they hatch into tadpoles within 1 day. Then tadpoles develop into toads within 2 weeks, hopefully before the puddles dry out!	Reptile	thcouchspadefoot.jpg	Degenhardt, W. G., Painter, C. W., & Price, A. H. (1996). Amphibians & reptiles of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.;  Stebbins, R. C. (1985). A field guide to Western reptiles and amphibians. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.;  Photograph: Paul W. Hyder.	42	Couch's spadefeet are nocturnal. These toads hibernate underground for most of their lives. They only come out during late spring or midsummer rains. Even then, they avoid the desert sun by staying in underground holes during the day, and feeding and mating only at night. 	couchspadefoot.jpg			Length: 2.25 - 3.5 in. (5.7 - 8.9 cm).	
Black-tailed Prairie Dog		Perro de las Paderas		Sciuridae	Cynomys ludovicianus	Desert grasslands, prairies and mesas.	Its main predators are foxes and badgers, but the coyote, eagle, hawk, bobcat, weasel, and black-footed ferret can also cause some trouble.  Occasionally snakes will go after it too.	Herbivorous. They enjoy a wide variety of grasses.  Did you know that 250 prairie dogs can eat as much grass and vegetation as one cow!		About 5 to 8 years.	The black-tailed prairie dog is a large, very short-legged rodent in the squirrel family. It has a short, black-tipped tail which is very unique among prairie dogs.  It has small, rounded ears, large black eyes, and long claws on its front feet, very useful for digging. Its body is tan on top and lighter on both the underside and around the eyes. 	Prairie dogs are considered nuisances by many people because of their "towns" that they dig which can cover 100 acres or more! Ranchers worry because they are competitors for food with domestic livestock. They also dig holes which may be dangerous for horses and cattle. They are often exterminated because of the damage that they cause. However, prairie dogs may clip some plants that are toxic to grazing mammals, which is one benefit of having them present. 	Prairie dogs love company and have the most elaborate social structure of any of the mammals. They build complex burrows with many rooms inside. Black-tailed prairie dogs live in "coteries" or family groups, and greet each other with a "kiss".  This is done by touching noses, then turning their heads sideways and touching teeth!  This is not a romantic thing, its like when grandma comes to visit.  They also groom each other, call to each other, and generally maintain close contact. There are always some prairie dogs stationed outside the burrows watching for predators. When they feel threatened, they will bark out a warning and the whole community will then retreat inside. Black-tailed prairie dogs make many kinds of vocalizations, including dog-like yaps from which they get their name. Other sounds are trills, whistles, and chattering that can be heard from a long distance.	From 32 - 48 oz.   (0.9 - 1.36 kg).								Hindprint has 5 toes and is about 1 1/4 inches long.  The foreprint is a little smaller and has only 4 toes.	Mating takes place around February and March. Pregnancy lasts 30 days, at which time the mother will give birth to 4 or 5 young.  The babies are born hairless and blind, so they spend the first 30 days underground in their burrows to be safe from predators. Once full grown, the males leave to establish their own territories, while the females stay in the birth neighborhood.	Mammal	thprariedog2.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Hygnstrom, S. E., & Virchow, D. R. (1994). Prairie dogs. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.	43	Black-tailed prairie dogs are diurnal, although in mid-summer they will remain in the burrow during the hottest, mid-day hours. In the fall, they add as much fat to their bodies as possible to get ready for winter.  Although they do not hibernate, they  become torpid, and spend many days underground. However, they will usually come out of their burrows for some period during every month of the year.	prariedog2.jpg			Length: 14 - 17 in.  (35.6 - 43 cm). Tail:  about 2.5 - 4.5 in. (6.3 - 11 cm).	
Black Bear		Oso Negro		Ursidae	Ursus americanus	Mountain forests and riparian areas.	The black bear doesn't have many enemies but is hunted for its fur and meat.                          	Omnivorous. They eat fruits, nuts, roots, plants, insects, and small mammals. They also will congregate around human garbage dumps when habituated to people.  Black bears are good "fisherman" and will often wade in streams or lakes, catching fish with its sharp claws.		Up to 25 years	The black bear is a large, powerful animal, although it is the smallest of the North American bears. Its name is misleading, because the black bear actually comes in many other colors, including reddish brown, tan, or even blond. It has a short tail, dense fur, small, round ears, and its eyes are set close together.  It has very poor vision but its sense of smell works great!  If you see a bear in New Mexico, it will most likely be a black bear.	The black bear is the state mammal of New Mexico and is a popular hunted animal.  The bear is hunted for its tasty meat and the skin is used for rugs.  Black bears do not often injure humans, but can become dangerous in several situations such as: if their cubs are with them, if they are startled, if they are approached while feeding, fishing, guarding food, hurt, hungry, or breeding.  Its best to never approach a bear in the wild! They occasionally kill livestock, and may also cause serious damage to fields, trees, and beehives.	Bears are "scratchers".  They will scratch themselves on trees, posts, rocks and with their claws. Although they seem to shuffle when they walk, black bears are able to run up to 35 miles per hour when necessary. They can also climb trees with agility and are good swimmers.	From 203 - 587 lbs.   (92 - 267 kg).								Each broad footprint has 5 non-retractable very long claws. The foreprints are 4 inches long and the hindprints are 7 - 9 inches long.	Bears mate during the summer, and give birth to twins or triplets every other year during the mother's winter hibernation in January or February. Cubs will weigh less than a pound at birth, and will stay with their mothers for about 18 months.	Mammal	thblackbear3.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Hygnstrom, S. E.(1994). Black bears. In S. E. Hygnstrom, R. M. Timm, & G. E. Larson (Eds.), Prevention and control of wildlife damage. Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension Division.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.; Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996). The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.; Photograph: G. Morris Southward.	44	This bear is typically nocturnal and rarely seen during the day. It hibernates in winter, but may wake up on mild days.  This bear is mainly solitary except during a brief mating season.	blackbear3.jpg			Length: 4 ft., 6 in.  -  6 ft.,  2 in.  (137 - 188 cm).  Height: 3 - 3.5 ft.  (90 - 105 cm). Tail: 3 - 7 in.  (7.7 - 17.7 cm).	
Chamomile	Golden Chamomile, Golden Marguerite, German and Roman Chamomile	Manzanilla		Asteraceae  (Composite, or Sunflower family)	Matricaria recutita				Very fine.		Chamomile has tiny, white, daisylike flowers, with golden centers growing atop tall, thin stems.  The fern-like leaves are light green with fuzzy, white undersides.  There are two varieties, German (an annual) and Roman (a perennial). They usually are cultivated for garden and medicinal uses. Some wild varieties, which have single flowers, emit a foul odor.	Chamomile was used as a home air freshener in medieval England. Tea made using the dried leaves is a common beverage. Chamomile also is used as a hair rinse. A cup of chamomile tea can sooth an upset stomach.	Chamomile is native to Europe, Asia, and Africa.		The tiny, daisylike flowers are 1 in. or less across (2.5 cm) and bloom in summer and fall.		Zone 4	A wonderful aromatic and attractive plant with delicate flowers and foliage. In Great Britain, it is commonly used in lawns.						Plant	thchamomile.jpg	Chevallier, A. (1996). The encylopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Publishing; Clark, D. (1981). Sunset new Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing Co.; Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987). Rodales's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Weiss, G. & Weiss, S. (1985). Growing & using the healing herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Photograph: G. Morris Southward.	45		chamomile2.jpg	Chamomile should be planted in full sun in well-drained soil.  Annual division is necessary to prevent center die-out.  Grows from seed, cuttings, or divisions.		Height: 2 - 2.5 ft. (61 - 71 cm).	
Rosemary		Romero		Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Rosmarinus officinalis						Rosemary is an herb that grows in aromatic, evergreen shrubs. The shrubs have light grayish-green needle-like leaves.  The bark is scaly. Pale-blue to white flowers grow alongside the leaves. There are upright and trailing varieties.	Rosemary's strong fragrance has been used for centuries as an air freshener to homes. In the Middle Ages, it was supposed to ward off evil spirits.  Sprigs twined in the hair were believed to improve memory.  In Greece, students burn rosemary while studying.	Rosemary is used medicinally to lift the spirits, improve circulation and to treat headaches. It is native to the Mediterranean.		Pale-blue to white flowers about 1/2 in. diameter grow in clusters along branches.	Small, round nutlets.	Zones  8, 9, 10.	Trailing varieties look nice in rock gardens or spilling over walls. Upright types are used as hedges.	Low					Plant	throsemary1.jpg	Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York: DK Publishing Inc.; Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987).  Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Weiss, G. & Weiss, S.  (1985).  Growing & using the healing herbs.  Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.; Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	46		rosemary3.jpg	Rosemary grows best in well-drained soil under full sun. Start new plants from cuttings or by layering.		Height: 2 to 7 ft. (6 - 213 cm).	
Cilantro	Coriander, Chinese Parsley			Apiaceae  (Parsley, or Carrot family)	Coriandrum sativum	Cultivated garden herb.			Small, round flavorful seeds called coriander grow inside biege seed coats.		Cilantro is an annual herb with flat, pinkish-white flower clusters that produce seeds. The bright-green fernlike foliage is delicate, with narrow, finely-divided upper leaves and more rounded lower leaves.	Cilantro is a seasoning commonly used in dishes in India, China, Mexico and Spain. Coriander seeds are used as a spice and have medicinal qualities as well.	Cilantro plant seeds produce the well-known seasoning called coriander. Cilantro is native to Mediterranean Africa and Asia.		Pinkish white umbels across the top of the plant. Flowers bloom from spring to late summer.	Small (1 mm), round, hard fruit known as coriander, harvested in late summer.	All zones	Cooking herb.						Plant		Chevallier, A. (1996). The encylopedia of medicinal plants. New York: DK Publishing Inc.; Clark, D. (1981). Sunset new Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing Co.; Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987). Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs. Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.	47			Plant in well-drained soil under full sun. Cilantro easily grows from seeds, then sows its own seeds after that.		Height: 12 - 15 in. (30 - 38 cm).	
Valerian	Garden Heliotrope			Valerianaceae  (Valerian family)	Valeriana officinalis	Grasslands, meadows, and stream banks. 					Small, tubular pink-tinged flowers growing atop hollow, hairy stems tower above the dark green foliage of this herb. Valerian is an upright perennial known for its strong smelling root which has medicinal qualities.   The leaves are hairy along veins and on the undersides and grow in a pinnate pattern.	Legend has it that the Pied Piper used this plant to help lure the rats out of Hamelin. Today, valerian-based teas and drugs are used as herbal sedatives.	Valerian is native to Europe and Asia and was called "phu" because it smelled so bad.		Small, 5-lobed flowers grow in 4 in. wide panicles and bloom in the spring.	Achenes	Zone 4	Can be used in herb and flower borders.						Plant		Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York, NY: DK Publishing Inc.; Hogan, E.L. (Ed.). (1988).  Sunset western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Sunset Publishing.;  Stary, F. (1991).  The natural guide to Medicinal Herbs and Plants. New York, NY:  Barnes and Noble.; Photograph:  .	48			Valerian grows best in rich, moist soil. It prefers full sun to partial shade. Plants should be spaced approximately 1 ft. apart and should be divided every 3 years to maintain vitality.		Height:  up to 5 ft. (152 cm).	
Calendula	Pot Marigold			Asteraceae  (Composite, or Sunflower family)	Calendula officinalis	Calendula grows well almost anywhere.			Yellow, irregular shape.		Known primarily for its daisy shaped, orange-yellow terminal flowers, calendula is an upright annual. Its flowers open and close in rhythm with the sun. Leaves are long and covered with fine hairs, giving them a 
sticky feel. The stems and leaves are light green.	Calendula can be used as a cooking herb added to stews and vegetables. It also makes attractive, long-lasting cut flowers.  Calendula has been used since the days of the Romans to heal chapped skin and scars, and as a wound dressing.	Calendula is native to the Canary Islands, central Europe, and northern Africa. It gets its name from the Romans, who observed that the plant was always blooming on the first day (calends) of each month. The flowers close up at night.  Henry the VIII always kept calendula in his medicine chest to use on his skin.		The colorful, daisy-like flowers are present in terminal heads.  They bloom nearly year-round in their native regions.	Boat-shaped achenes.	All Zones.	Grown primarily for its ornamental beauty, calendula looks nice in the yard as well as in containers. The plant acts as an insect repellent in gardens.	High to Low. It prefers over 30 inches per year, but can adjust to 15 inches or less per year.	Leaf spot, powdery mildew, aphids, snails, thrips, and nematodes can be problems.				Plant		Clark, D. E., & Hogan, E. L. (Eds.). (1987). The Western garden book. Menlo Park, CA: Lane Publishing Co.;  Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987). Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Weiss, G. & Weiss, S.  (1985).  Growing & using the healing herbs.  Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.;  Photograph:  .	49			Calendula likes full sun and average, well-drained soil. It should be started from seed. In warm climates, calendula  performs best during the cool season.		Height: 20 in. (51 cm).	
Lemon Balm				Lamiaceae  (Mint family)	Melissa officinalis				Tiny.		 Lemon balm is a perennial with coarse, green, lemon-scented leaves arranged oppositely on square stems. The growth is thick and floppy. The white to yellow tubular flowers grow in clusters. It was once called "gladdening" herb for its ability to chase away the blues. This member of the mint family has a lemony taste and smell.	Lemon balm was considered a symbol of sympathy between lovers. It has also been used in many folk remedies and as an insect repellent and furniture polish.	Lemon balm is native to southern Europe and north Africa. It is now grown all over the world. Lemon balm can be used as a soothing and relaxing tea.		Tubular white or yellow flower clusters bloom in the leaf axils from July through September.	Smooth nutlets.	All zones.	Lemon balm is usually grown for its fragrance and for cooking. Lemon balm grows in an aggressive manner by spreading out. This makes it undesirable as a border plant. 		Powdery mildew sometimes is problematic.				Plant		Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York: DK Publishing Inc.;  Clark, D.  (1981).   Sunset New Western garden book.  Menlo Park, CA:  Lane Publishing Co.;  Gilbertie, S.  (1988).  Kitchen herbs.  New York:  Bantam Books.;  Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987).  Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Weiss, G. & Weiss, S.  (1985).  Growing & using the healing herbs.  Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.	50			Lemon balm grows best in full sun in well-drained soil. But it tolerates shade well.  New plants may be started from seed, layering, division, or cuttings.  Seeds may take as long three months to be ready for outdoor planting.		Height: up to 2 ft. (61 cm).	
Goldenseal	"Poor Man's Ginseng", Yellow Root, Orange Root		Yellow Puccoon	Ranunculaceae  (Buttercup family)	Hydrastis canadensis	Woodlands, meadows and highland forests of North America.			Shiny, black.		Goldenseal is a leafy, upright perennial. Each plant has two large, five-part leaves that are slightly hairy. The purple stems are also hairy and have scars from earlier flower stems. The plant grows out of a rhizome with bark colored yellow-brown. Because of many similarities between goldenseal and ginseng, the plant is often called "poor man's ginseng." The plants look similar and have a tonic effect on the body.	Native Americans and early settlers used this "wonder" herb as an insect repellent, for wounds, rashes and mouth sores. The rhizome is the healing part of the plant. Goldenseal was also used as a dye.	Goldenseal is native to North America.  It is used as a medicinal plant to boost the immune system but it can be dangerous if taken all the time.		Flowers have a greenish-white calyx and small petal-like sepals. They grow singly at the ends of the stems.  The 1/2 in.-wide (1.27 cm) terminal, "flower" is made of greenish-white petal-like sepals.	Each plant has a single, red fruit that looks like a raspberry.		This is a nice plant for natural settings.						Plant		Chevallier, A.  (1996).  The encylopedia of medicinal plants.  New York: DK Publishing Inc.;  Kowalchik, & Hylton, W.H. (Eds.). (1987).  Rodale's illustrated encyclopedia of herbs.  Emmaus, PA:  Rodale Press.;  Weiss, G. & Weiss, S.  (1985).  Growing & using the healing herbs.  Emmaus, PA: Rodale Press.	51			Cultivating goldenseal is very difficult. For best results,  use budded sections of the rhizome. Plants prefer rich, woodland soil. The plants are partial to full shade. Goldenseal has become overharvested in the wild.		Height: 8 - 12 in. (20 - 30 cm).  Root: About 2 in. (5 cm).	
Mexican Buckeye	New Mexican Buckeye, Texas Buckeye	Monillo		Sapindaceae  (Soapberry family)	Ungnadia speciosa	Desert stream beds, canyons and rocky mountain slopes in Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. 			Found inside a pod resembling a miniature pumpkin. They are dark brown or black, smooth, round, and shiny. 		Mexican buckeye is a large, upright shrub with an irregular-shaped crown.  It has light brown to gray bark and star-shaped compound leaves with five to seven in each group.  These trees can grow as tall as 30 ft. (9 m).		Native to the limestone soils of Texas, New Mexico and Mexico.		Showy, fragrant clusters of pink flowers bloom in March.	A woody pod resembling a miniature pumpkin hanging from the tree branches. The pod becomes tan as it dries up.	Zones 6, 7, 8, 9.	Ornamental accent tree sporting pink/rose-colored flowers from March to June.	Medium.  Needs about 20 in. per year to keep leaf tips from drying out.  It looks more like a tree than a shrub if adequately watered. 	No known insect or disease problems.				Plant	thmexican.jpg	Hodoba, T.  (1995).  Growing desert plants from windowsill to garden.  Santa Fe:  Red Crane Books.;  Wasowski, S. & Wasowski, A.  (1988).  Native Texas plants: Landscaping region by region.  Austin, TX:  Texas Monthly Press.;  Photograph:  Norm Lownds.	53		mexican4.jpg	Grow from seeds in one-gallon containers.		Height: 8 to 12 ft. (243 - 365 cm).  Width: 20 ft. (609 cm).	
Kit Fox	Swift Fox, Desert Fox			Canidae	Vulpes velox	Deserts, grasslands, open woodlands, and mountain forest areas. Found in all the North American deserts, plus some northern states. 	Domestic and wild dogs, coyotes, bobcats.	Mostly carnivorous but will also eat some grasses and berries when there is no meat around. They especially enjoy eating rabbits, kangaroo rats, mice, birds, small reptiles, and insects.     			The kit fox is the smallest member of the canidae family in the United States. It is yellowish gray above, and whitish below.  The ears are very large, and it has a long bushy tail that has a black tip.  It communicates with several sounds including a shrill yap, and several whines, growls, and purrs.	These foxes help keep the population of grass-eating rodents down, which helps to prevent overgrazing of livestock areas.	Once considered a separate species, the kit fox and the swift fox have been combined as Vulpes velox.  Kit foxes have developed several adaptations to the heat of the desert. They have thick fur on their feet as an insulator against the hot desert sands. This fur also helps them to run more easily over loose soil.  Their large ears radiate heat, which helps the foxes cool themselves.  For short distances, they can run as fast as 25 mph, which is why they are also called "swift".	5 lbs.  (2.27 kg).								Small tracks, less than 1.5 inches in length. They may not show pads or claws, due to heavy fur on feet.	Kit foxes usually mate for life. The female selects a den in the fall, and they mate in mid-winter. Four to five pups are born in February or March. Both parents provide for the young foxes, who separate from their parents when they are about 8 - 9 months old.	Mammal	thkitfox.jpg	Findley, J. S. (1987). The natural history of New Mexican mammals. Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press.;  Macmahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Knopf.; Olin, G. (1988). Mammals of the Southwest deserts. Southwest Parks and Monuments Association.;  Tweit, S. J. (1994). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Whitaker, J. O. Jr. (1996).The Audubon Society field guide to North American mammals. New York: Knopf.;  Photograph:  V. M. Howard. 	158	Kit foxes are solitary and mostly nocturnal, spending days in their burrows to keep cool. Often they dig their own dens, although they may also enlarge burrows that once belonged to ground squirrels and kangaroo rats.	kitfox.jpg			Length: 15 - 20 in.  (38 - 51 cm).	
Greater Roadrunner	Chaparral Bird or Cock; Ground Cuckoo	Paisano		Cuculidae	Geococcyx californianus	Roadrunners inhabit chaparrals, desert shrublands and grasslands of the  Southwest.   They can also be found in fields and orchards in croplands.	Coyote, fox, bobcats.	Roadrunners are omnivorous. They eat lizards, snakes, insects, small birds, mice, rodents, scorpions, seeds, fruit, and eggs.			A roadrunner is an elongated bird whose tail comprises half its length. It is brown, black, & white speckled,  with brown stripes on its chest and white undersides. The roadrunner has a white streak next to its eye going towards the back of its crested head, which starts out blue and ends with a splash of red. Its beak is large, elongated and black. Its legs are long and sturdy, ending with X-shaped toes. The roadrunner has a distinctive voice, making both loud clicking and cooing sounds. 	Considered "the clowns of desert", roadrunners are known for their antics as well as for running.  Considered lucky in the Hispanic culture, its nickname in Spanish, paisano, means countryman, because roadrunners are considered welcome neighbors. 	Roadrunner are the New Mexico State bird.  These birds are aggressive predators who prey on deadly rattlesnakes.  After teasing the snake, the roadrunner grabs it, stabs it with its beak, and flings it into the air.  Once dazed the snake is beaten against a rock until dead.								Roadrunners are rarely seen flying.  They prefer running  and are able to reach speeds up to  15 mph as part of a hunting strategy and to avoid predators.		Roadrunners build a cup-like nest made of sticks and lined with leaves and grasses, in cactus, thicket, or small trees.  2 - 6 white eggs are layed, and the female alone incubates the eggs for 18 -20 days.	Bird	throadrunner.jpg	Jaeger, E. C. (1961). Desert wildlife. Stanford, CA: Stanford University.; MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.; Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York:  Reader's Digest.; Tweit, S. J. (1992). The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.; Photograph: New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.	159	Roadrunners are diurnal.  They are most active in the morning and late afternoon.  They tend to live in the desert year-round, unlike some birds which migrate. In the cold weather, they spend time sunbathing to help heat their bodies, spreading their feathers under the sun. In the summer, they stay in the shade during the hottest part of the day.	roadrunner.jpg			Length:  20 - 24 in. (51 - 61 cm).	roadrunnerbn.jpg
Gambel's Quail	Desert Quail	Codorniz chiquiri		Phasianidae	Callipepla gambelii	Gambel's quails can be found grazing in the scrub and thickets of the desert floor, usually near a riparian area.  They can also be found in urban and cropland areas.	Hawks, falcons, coyotes, bobcats.	Gambel's quails are omnivorous. They eat new green vegetation, seeds, fruits, cactus fruit, insects, arthropods.			The Gambel's quail is a plump bird with a round body; slender, medium length tail; and a distinctive single, apostrophe shaped plume on the forehead. Male Gambel's are colorful and seem to be wearing crimson turbans over black masks outlined in white. Both genders have gray bodies with red and white highlights on the wings and yellow underbellies. The male also has a black patch on its underbelly. The beak is short, stubby and symmetrical. The Gambel's quail makes a loud call that sounds like "qua-el" or "chi-ca-go-go."	The Kawaiisu Indians have a story about quails and the tear shaped marks on their faces. According to the Indians, a  mother quail made cradles for her babies out of sandbar willow. One by one the chicks died, and the mother cried, which left marks on her face which remain to this day. Because of this, the Kawaiisu won't use sandbar willow for their baby's cradles. 	Gambel's quails are named after William Gambel, pioneer ornithologist of the Southwest.								Primarily ground birds, often found running in single file. When escaping a predator, members of the flock will take off together and fly a short distance, sometimes startling the pursuer with their sudden movement and rush of wings.		Gambel's quail rise to the challenge of everyday survival in the harsh terrain.  For a <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/bird/quailnest.jpg">nest</a>, they simply scratch a hollow in the soil beneath a creosote bush or cactus and line it with a few sticks, a feather, a leaf or two--whatever materials they find close by.  9 - 14, buff marked with brown <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/bird/quaileggs.jpg">eggs</a> are layed.  Incubation is done by the female only and lasts 21 - 23 days.  Chicks stay with parents for 3 months.	Bird	thgam_quail.jpg	Harrison, K., & Harrison, G. (1986). The gallery of birds . In A. E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us. San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Reader's Digest (1990).  Book of North American birds.  New York: Reader's Digest.; Scott, S. L. (Ed.). (1983). Birds of North America. Washington, DC: National Geographic Book Service.; Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.; Zwinger, A. H. (1989). The mysterious lands. Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona Press.; Photograph: 	162	Gambel's quails are diurnal.  During daylight hours, in family groups and in larger coveys, the quail forage in the desert.	gam_quail.jpg			Length:  10 - 11.5 in. (25 - 29 cm).	
Mourning Dove	Turtle Dove	Paloma huilota		Columbidae	Zenaida macroura	Mourning doves inhabit deserts, urban areas, and croplands are favored homes of this bird. They can also be found in open woodlands.	Humans, raptors, domestic cats.	Mourning doves are herbivorous. They primarily eat seeds.			The mourning dove is gray-brown with a black spot under each eye and on its neck. It has darker shaded wings that also have black spots. The females are smaller and duller in color than the males and both have a violet iridescent sheen to them. Their heads are small, bodies slender, and they have long, tapered tails.  They get the name mourning dove from the low, mournful "coo-ah, coo, coo, coo" sounds they make.  	These doves are game birds and legally hunted in 30 states. Many doves who breed in flocks have had their numbers depleted from hunting. For example, passengers pigeons were hunted to extinction. So far mourning doves are still plentiful because they nest in pairs instead of in large flocks, which protects the group from being killed off when together.	Doves and pigeons produce a unique food, called pigeon milk.  This food is rich in fat and protein, this substance (which is not milk at all) is produced by the glands in the crop of the adult bird.  The mourning dove is one of the most numerous and widespread birds in North America.								This bird is able to elude hunters by flying 30 to 55 mph. 		Mourning doves may nest from 2 to 4 times from spring to fall, producing 2 eggs each time. Both parents incubate the eggs for about 2 weeks. Once the eggs hatch,  males and females feed the young birds by regurgitating a fluid into their mouths.	Bird	thmdoves.jpg	Harrison, K., & Harrison, G. (1986). The gallery of birds . In A. E. Mace (Ed.), The birds around us. San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Photograph:  G. Morris Southward.	163	Mourning doves are active year round. They nest in pairs, but congregate with others after nesting, especially during the winter when the larger group is searching for food. 	mdoves.jpg			 Length:  11 - 13 in. (28 - 33 cm).  Wingspan:  17 - 19 inches (43 - 48 cm).	mourningdovebn.jpg
Burrowing Owl		Tecolate llanero		Strigidae	Athene cunicularia	Burrowing owls make their homes in open areas such as deserts and prairies.  They also live in urban areas near golf courses, parks, and airports, and in the fields of croplands.	Rattlesnakes, and badgers.  	Burrowing owls are carnivorous. They eat insects, small rodents, lizards, snakes, and frogs when available.			Burrowing owls are an earth-brown color with white spots and paler underbellies.  They have round, tuftless heads, white eyebrows and deep yellow eyes. Their long, extended legs and short stubby tails make them seem awkward, especially when they stand on just one leg surveying the area.  The voice on this owl is like a liquid cackling; also a mellow "coo - coooo", that is usually repeated twice.		Unlike most owls, which live in nests, burrowing owls live in abandoned burrows of other desert creatures such as prairie dogs. In fact, they have been known to share prairie dog towns with the rodents. When threatened, they make a chattering sound that may at times sound like a rattlesnake.  They also bob up and down when disturbed.								Although capable of flying, burrowing owls spend most of their time on land, even hunting on the ground.		Burrowing owls tend to take over holes previously dug by other creatures. They may customize a burrow by digging with their feet, piling up the dirt outside to create an observation post. They line their burrows with manure, probably to mask their own odors and to discourage predators. The female lays 5 - 9 eggs, which both parents incubate. Burrowing owls are known to be very protective parents.	Bird	thburrowowl.jpg	Cameron, A., & Parnall, P. (1971). The nightwatchers. New York: Four Winds.;  Harrison, K., & Harrison, G. (1986). The gallery of birds. In A. E.;  Mace (Ed.). The birds around us. San Francisco, CA: Ortho.;  MacMahon, J. A. (1997). Deserts: National Audubon Society nature guides. New York: Alfred P. Knopf.;  Scott, S. L. (Ed.). (1983). Birds of North America. Washington, DC: National Geographic Book Service.;  Tweit, S. J. (1992).  The great Southwest nature factbook. Anchorage, AK: Alaska Northwest Books.;  Photograph:  Jeff Tafoya.	164	The Burrowing owl is one of the most diurnal of all owls.  They are most active by day.   	burrowowl.jpg			Length:  9 - 11 in. (23 - 28 cm).   Wingspan:  22 - 24 in. (56 - 61 cm).	
Whipscorpion	Giant Vinegarone; Vinegroon; Mule Killer	Uropigio	Grampus	Order: Uropygi. From uro, meaning tail; pygi, meaning rump (referring to the whiplike tail).	Mastigoproctus giganteus	Burrows in the sand under rocks and logs, or in dark, humid indoor locations. Found in desert grassland, scrub desert and riparian areas from Florida to California.	Small mammals and birds such as foxes, skunks and roadrunners.	Insectivorous. They feed on other arthropods, slugs and worms.		Variable depending on environmental conditions. Females lay eggs in their burrows. Metamorphosis simple- egg, several stages for young whipscorpions and then adult.	This arachnid resembles a true scorpion, but has a broad, flattened and segmented abdomen ending in a long, thin, segmented whiplike tail that is almost the same length as its body. The color of a whipscorpion is dark brown to black. It has short, stout pedipalps that are used as pincers, and its front legs are antennaelike. Whipscorpions cannot sting, but look as if they could.		Far from defenseless, it has a defense against predators that is similar to a skunk's. When disturbed, it will raise its rear end, direct its stiffly errect tail, and discharge a stream of acetic acid from two glands near the base of its tail. This spray can be aimed very accurately up to a distance of almost 3 feet.										It usually takes the female several seasons before she is able to breed. After her eggs hatch, she carries her pale young on her back until the first molt.	Insect	tnwhipscor.jpg	 Borror, D. J., De Long, D. M., & Triplehorn, C. A. (1981). An introduction to the study of insects (5th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders College.;  Levi, H. W., & Levi, L. R. (1990). Spiders and their kin: A Golden guide. New York: Golden Press.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph:  David B. Richman.  	166	They are nocturnal, spending their days burrowing in the sand under rocks and logs. 	whipscor.jpg			Length: Body only: 3 in. (7.5 cm.); body and tail: 6 in. (15 cm).	
Velvet Ant	Wooly Ants, Cow Killers, Mule Killers			Mutillidae. Superfamily: Scoliodea	Dasymutilla  spp.	Commonly found in sandy soil areas in the desert.	Not heavily preyed upon due to painful sting.	Insectivorous. They eat ground nesting bees and wasps as well as a few beetles and flies.		One season.  Metamorphosis complete- egg, larval stages, pupa, adult. 	These insects look like ants whose bodies and legs are covered with dense hairs, but they are actually wasps. The <a href="http://horizon.nmsu.edu/ddl3/images/insect/velvetant2.jpg">females</a> are wingless, while males have wings. They are often black with red, orange, or yellow; some species are entirely white on the dorsum (back)and resemble antimated cotton fluff. Antennae are short and segmented, but are not elbowed like true ants. Velvet ants have long legs and are good runners. Mouthparts chewing.  	People are most likely to get stung by walking barefooted in areas where female velvet ants are present, and stepping on an individual. Best defense against this is to wear footwear in areas where velvet ants are found.	Velvet ants belong to a group of primitive wasps. In some species, both the males and females are quite vocal. Smart predators learn to leave them alone quickly  because of their sting, and recognize them by their color and sound. 										Males fly slowly in zig zag patterns over ground likely to support female mutillids.   After mating a female velvet ant will wander sandy areas searching for the burrows of ground-nesting bees and wasps. After finding a suitable host, she will lay a single egg on the host's pupae. Once hatching, the larva of the velvet ant will feed on the host pupae, killing it.	Insect	thvelvetant.jpg	Richman, D. B., Sutherland, C. A., & Oseto, C. Y. (1993). One hundred common insects of New Mexico. Las Cruces, NM: New Mexico State University, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Smith, R. L. (1992). Venomous animals of Arizona.  (Bulletin No. 8245, 4th printing). Tucson, AZ: University of Arizona, Cooperative Extension Service.;  Photograph:  Whitney Cranshaw, Courtesy of Colorado State University:  Gillette Entomology Collection. 	167	Diurnal.	velvetant.jpg			Length: Vary considerably: range 5 - 25 mm.	
Striped Skunk		Zorrillo		Mustelidae	Mephitis mephitis	Deserts, open woodlands, mountain forests, and riparian areas.	Great horned owls, and sometimes coyotes, badgers.	Omnivorous, although they prefer eating animals and insects. Favorite foods are grasshoppers, ground beetles, and  bees. They like to get into bee's nests and eat the larvae. Other favorite foods are mice, bird eggs, insects, grubs, berries, cactus fruit, and carrion.			The striped skunk is a black and white animal slightly smaller than a cat. The black body has a white stripe which starts on the face and splits into two stripes ( like a V shape ). This stripe goes all the way back to the long, bushy, black tail. The tail has white spots or streaks. The eyeshine is amber. Males are larger than females.	You can SMELL a skunk long before you see it because it has a very strong smelly fluid, called musk, that comes from its anal glands.  If a person or animal scares it, it will stomp its feet, twist its body into a "U" shape, and spray the "enemy" with this horrible fluid. The spray can travel as far as 15 feet.  The skunk can make a good pet if it is "de-scented".  The striped skunk is currently the chief carrier of rabies in the United States.  One sign of a rabid striped skunk is if you see it around in the daytime, as it is mainly nocturnal.  Mothballs sprinkled on the ground discourage skunks from digging up your lawn  for insects and visiting homes or campsites.  	The striped skunk lives in ground burrows with up to five entrances!  It will live in any protected place, under old buildings, boulders, even wood or rock piles. It is a solitary creature, although during the winter it may share a den with other skunks. In the winter the body will get a thick layer of fat to protect it from the cold, but it does not actually hibernate.	From 9 - 10 lbs.   (4 - 5 kg).								 Between 1 inches and 2 inches long, with hindprints slightly longer and thinner than front.. Claws show some of the time.	Adults mate in February or March and the female usually has just one litter a year. Five to ten young are born blind between April and June. The young will stay in the den until late June or July and then will follow their mom around in a single file.	Mammal	thstripedskunk.jpg	Burt, W. H., & Grossenheider, R. P. (1964). Field guide to mammal