 For those who like to hike, camp or fish the winter months can be frustrating. But don't let cabin fever get you down. There is plenty to see and do in the desert Southwest and the temperature and climate are ideal for outdoor activities. It's amazing how many people who do not live in Arizona think the state is a bleak, lifeless place covered with sand dunes and an occasional cactus. However, nothing could be further from the truth, and Arizona is a paradise for those who love to escape to the outdoors. Wild animals are surprisingly abundant in Arizona, and out-of-state visitors who venture off the beaten path are often amazed to discover so many deer, rabbits, reptiles and birds. However, it's the diversity of the wildlife that leaves the biggest impression. "Different areas in Arizona vary greatly in elevation and rainfall," said John Phelps, a biologist with the Arizona Game & Fish Department. "That creates a tremendous variety of habitat types, which in turn allows for a wide variety of animal species. With the exception of California, it would be hard to find another state with such a great diversity of wildlife." In Arizona's Sonoran desert, where the term "cactus forest" is not an oxymoron, you'll find many fascinating species. The javelina, for example, looks like a wild pig, releases an odor like a skunk and is almost as blind as a bat. The latter trait enables hunters and wildlife photographers to easily get close to the animal for a good shot, but the intimidating appearance of the tusked creature keeps most everyone else at a distance. There are also monsters in the desert! The Gila monster is actually quite small, as far as "monsters" go, but it looks frighteningly large for a lizard. The reptile's size, poisonous bite and multi-colored body have earned it a reputation as a killer. The Gila monster does pack a painful bite, but very few people are actually injured by this extremely shy and docile creature, and even fewer, if any, ever die from the experience. Coyotes roam the desert at will, as everyone knows, although contrary to popular belief they yap and squeal more than they howl. Roadrunners are nowhere near the size that Warner Brothers cartoons would have us believe, but they are indeed fast, so coyotes spend more time chasing other small animals like rodents. The desert also boasts a surprisingly high number of deer. In many western states, whitetails occupy the lower elevations and leave the higher ground for the mule deer, but in Arizona it's usually just the opposite. In rocky areas you can also spot bighorn sheep, although They're much skinnier than rams and ewes in other parts of the country. So while the Gobi and the Sahara may indeed lack life, Arizona proves that all deserts are not created equal. And with a little high country thrown in for good measure, you'd be hard pressed to find any single state with a more diverse array of wildlife. So pack up your hiking boots and backpack this winter and head for the Southwest. Thanks to Jim White, and beOutdoors.com for their permission to reprint this article. Please bear in mind That beOutdoors.com has a copyright on this material. |
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