Las Vegas is a dense urban center built entirely within the Mojave Desert. This environment creates a unique intersection where city life meets a vast, arid wilderness, transforming the city into an oasis. The lush landscaping and water sources attract wildlife from the surrounding drylands. The animals living in and around the valley are masters of adaptation, having evolved to survive the extreme temperatures and scarcity of resources in the rugged terrain.
Mammals of the Urban Fringe and Mountains
The line between urban and wild is often blurred by highly adaptable mammals, most notably the Coyote (Canis latrans). These canids have successfully integrated into neighborhoods, often using the city’s extensive wash system as natural travel corridors. Coyotes are omnivores with a wide-ranging diet, preying on rodents, rabbits, and domestic pets, while also scavenging on fruits, insects, and discarded human food.
Smaller mammals are also common, including the Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) and the Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii), frequently seen foraging in suburban parks and open fields. In the surrounding mountains, larger species thrive in the steep, rocky terrain. The Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni), Nevada’s state animal, is uniquely adapted with specialized hooves that allow navigation of the sheer cliffs of the Spring and River Mountains.
Another notable presence is the Wild Burro, feral descendants of domestic donkeys brought by miners and prospectors. These hardy animals are often spotted in areas like Red Rock Canyon, grazing on vegetation and seeking water sources. Wild Burros are protected under federal law and serve as a reminder of the region’s mining history.
Reptiles and Desert Dwellers
The Mojave Desert is a haven for reptiles, chief among them the Desert Tortoise (Gopherus agassizii). This species is Nevada’s state reptile and a federally protected threatened species. Disturbing a wild tortoise is illegal, and development projects must implement measures to protect their habitat. These long-lived tortoises spend up to 95% of their lives underground, emerging primarily to forage on native grasses and wildflowers.
Lizards are abundant, and the Common Chuckwalla (Sauromalus ater) is one of the largest species, preferring rocky hillsides where it basks. When threatened, this herbivorous lizard wedges itself into a rock crevice and inflates its body to prevent extraction by predators. The smaller Side-blotched Lizard is the most common species, often seen darting under creosote bushes. Desert Spiny Lizards are frequently observed on elevated rocks and trees.
The area is also home to several venomous snakes, most notably rattlesnakes, which inhabit the desert fringes and rocky outcrops. The Mojave Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus) is notable for its potent venom, which contains both neurotoxins and hemotoxins. Its coloration ranges from olive-green to greenish-gray, allowing it to blend into the desert landscape.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) and the Desert Sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) are also present. The sidewinder is easily identified by its unique, sideways-looping motion across sandy terrain and the small, horn-like scales above its eyes. Rattlesnakes are generally non-aggressive, striking only when threatened, and are most active during the cooler hours of the morning and evening.
Birds and Arthropods
The urban environment attracts a variety of avian life, including common residents like the Mourning Dove, recognized by its gentle cooing call and rapid flight. Rock Pigeons and the House Finch are ubiquitous in developed areas, taking advantage of abundant food and water sources. Larger raptors, such as the Red-tailed Hawk and the American Kestrel, are often seen soaring overhead or perched on utility poles, hunting rodents and small reptiles.
Out in the desert, the Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is an iconic sight, known for its ability to run at high speeds rather than fly, preying on lizards, insects, and small snakes. The arthropod population presents challenges for residents, especially the Bark Scorpion (Centruroides sculpturatus), the most venomous scorpion in North America. These pale, slender scorpions can climb walls and often enter homes through small cracks or gaps, seeking moisture and shelter.
Less of a threat, but intimidating in appearance, are the Desert Tarantulas (Aphonopelma iodius). These large, hairy spiders are common in the surrounding desert, generally docile, and their venom is considered mild. Male tarantulas are most frequently observed during the fall when they leave their burrows and wander across trails and roads searching for a mate. The Black Widow spider (Latrodectus hesperus), identified by the red hourglass marking on the female’s abdomen, is also common and prefers dark, undisturbed spaces like garages and woodpiles.
Safe Interaction with Local Wildlife
Coexisting with wildlife in the Las Vegas Valley requires consistent human behavior to maintain distance and prevent conflicts. Never feed any wild animal, as this causes them to lose their natural wariness and associate human presence with an easy food source. This includes securing all garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and cleaning up fallen fruit to avoid attracting coyotes and rodents.
Pet owners should be vigilant, keeping dogs on a leash and supervising smaller pets outdoors, especially from dusk until dawn when coyotes are most active. To prevent encounters with scorpions and spiders, residents should seal cracks or openings in their home’s foundation, doors, and windows. It is also recommended to shake out shoes, clothing, and towels left on the floor before use, as Bark Scorpions are nocturnal and seek dark hiding places.
If a wild animal such as a coyote is seen in a neighborhood, “hazing” should be employed to reinforce their fear of humans. This involves being loud, waving your arms, and making yourself look large until the animal leaves the area. When hiking, remain on marked trails. Never attempt to approach or handle any wildlife, particularly rattlesnakes or the federally protected Desert Tortoise.