Phoenix, Arizona, is a metropolitan area positioned deep within the Sonoran Desert. This arid environment features extreme temperatures and diverse ecology, meaning residents often share their space with wildlife that has developed remarkable survival strategies. Understanding the species and their habits is essential for safe coexistence. This guide focuses on the wildlife most commonly encountered in the city, from harmless neighbors to those requiring caution.
Common Wildlife in Urban Settings
The urban environment of Phoenix offers reliable food and water sources, attracting various non-hazardous species. These animals are frequently seen in residential areas, parks, and along desert wash corridors.
The coyote is one of the most visible suburban predators, often seen trotting through neighborhoods or parks, particularly at dawn and dusk. This adaptable canine is an opportunistic feeder, consuming rodents, insects, fallen fruit, and accessible pet food or garbage. Coyotes are generally not aggressive toward humans but can become bold if routinely fed.
Another common sight is the desert cottontail, a rabbit distinguished by its large ears that help regulate body temperature. Cottontails are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during the cooler twilight hours. They rely on dense landscaping and shrubs for cover from predators and the midday sun.
Large birds of prey frequently patrol the urban canopy, including the Harris’s Hawk and the Great Horned Owl. Harris’s Hawks are unique among North American raptors for their cooperative hunting behavior, often working in family groups to pursue prey like rabbits and rodents. The Great Horned Owl is a powerful nocturnal hunter, typically heard rather than seen, using silent flight to take small mammals and other birds.
The javelina, or collared peccary, is a stocky, pig-like mammal native to the Americas. Javelinas move in cohesive family groups called squadrons, typically numbering between 3 and 15 individuals. They possess coarse, salt-and-pepper colored hair and sharp, self-sharpening canine teeth used for defense and tearing tough desert plants like prickly pear cactus.
Species Requiring Caution
Living in Phoenix requires awareness of species that pose a direct health or safety risk due to venom or aggressive defensive actions. These animals should always be observed from a distance and never approached or handled.
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the most common venomous snake encountered. It is identified by the dark, diamond-shaped pattern along its back and distinct black and white bands near its rattle. This pit viper is equipped with heat-sensing organs and a triangular head. It typically uses its rattle as a warning before striking, preferring to remain camouflaged or retreat rather than expend metabolically costly venom for defense.
The Arizona Bark Scorpion is the only scorpion species in the United States considered medically significant due to its neurotoxic venom. This small arachnid is typically one to one-and-a-half inches long, with a pale, translucent body that makes it difficult to spot. The scorpion is nocturnal and can climb smooth vertical surfaces, often entering homes through small cracks or gaps.
The Gila Monster is one of only two venomous lizards in the world, recognizable by its stout body, beaded scales, and striking pattern of black with pink, orange, or yellow. This reptile is extremely reclusive, spending up to 98% of its life underground in burrows. Its venom is delivered by chewing after it bites, but the lizard is not aggressive and will only bite if severely provoked or handled.
Desert Adaptations for Survival
Wildlife in Phoenix employs biological and behavioral strategies to survive the Sonoran Desert’s intense heat and lack of reliable surface water. Many species exhibit estivation, a period of dormancy similar to hibernation, which occurs during the hot, dry summer months. Animals like the spadefoot toad burrow deep underground and enter this state to avoid desiccation and high temperatures.
Other animals have evolved specialized physiological mechanisms to conserve water efficiently. The kangaroo rat, a small desert rodent, can survive without ever drinking liquid water. It obtains necessary moisture through metabolic water, a byproduct of breaking down the dry seeds it eats. Its highly specialized kidneys feature an extremely long Loop of Henle, allowing it to excrete significantly concentrated urine and conserve water.
Behavioral adaptations are also widespread, with most animals becoming largely nocturnal or crepuscular to avoid intense midday solar radiation. The Gila monster, for instance, stores fat in its tail, allowing it to sustain itself on as few as four or five large meals per year. Many animals seek refuge in burrows, either digging their own or using those of other species, where the temperature is cooler and the humidity is higher than the surface air.
Safe Coexistence Practices
Minimizing negative encounters with desert wildlife requires proactive measures and maintaining distance. One effective preventative step is eliminating sources that attract animals to residential areas. This includes securing garbage cans with tight-fitting lids and immediately removing any pet food or water bowls left outdoors, which can draw in species like coyotes and javelina.
Physical exclusion is an important strategy, particularly for keeping out reptiles and rodents. Specialized rattlesnake fencing, typically made of quarter-inch galvanized mesh, should be at least 36 inches high and buried six to twelve inches underground to prevent snakes from slithering under the barrier. This exclusion also deters smaller rodents that serve as prey, thereby reducing the presence of predators.
The most important rule when encountering any wild animal is to maintain a safe distance and never attempt to feed, approach, or handle it. Wildlife that loses its natural fear of humans often becomes aggressive or dangerous. If a venomous snake or injured mammal is found on your property, contact local wildlife management services for safe removal rather than attempting to intervene.