Tag Archive | Red Rock Canyon
Bighorn Sheep
Anne and I did not spend enough time at Red Rock Canyon to find these hooved mammals, but there are petroglyphs of the sheep in the stone walls at the park proving their existence. Bighorn sheep are well adapted to life in desert canyons. Though water is sparse, grazing on grasses, wildflowers and twigs provides […]
Great Basin Gopher Snake
Many species of snakes live in the Mojave Desert in Red Rock Canyon, some are poisonous, many are harmless. A snake that you are most likely to come across during the day is the Great Basin gopher snake. This is because, unlike other species this snake is active during the day. And sure enough, I […]
The Desert is Alive With Wildlife
Despite scorching heat in the summer and sub-freezing bitter cold in the winter, there are many animals that call the Mojave Desert home. These creatures include reptiles, amphibians, insects, birds and mammals. These animals are well adapted to this challenging ecosystem. Owls and bats become active at night when it is cooler; owls hunt for […]
Utah Juniper
Dark green shrubs dot the landscape at Red Rock Canyon on rocky slopes and in the canyon. These plants survive where many would die with the fierce winds, subfreezing winter temperatures, excessive summer heat and bone dry soils. The Utah juniper is well adapted to the desert environment here. Its massive roots makes up […]
Cholla Cacti
Several species of this cactus is common in the Mojave Desert at Red Rock Canyon. Its needle like leaves also reduces loss of moisture through transpiration and its roots are adept at collecting what little rain falls. It produces fruit eaten by big-horn sheep, chipmunks and rabbits. Birds like to nest in this shrub; […]
naturechirp 