# Travel >> Destinations >> Mexico

Animals of the Mexican Desert

The animals of the northern Mexican desert demonstrate the fascinating biodiversity of this harsh but beautiful ecosystem. The area's two large deserts are both of great interest to tourists and biologists. The Sonoran Desert is in the northwestern part of the country, and has more biodiversity than many deserts, due to its unusually high level of rainfall. The Chihuahuan Desert stretches across the US-Mexico border; its most famous feature is the impressive Rio Grande river, which is known as the Rio Bravo in Mexico.

Desert Bighorn Sheep
- A combination of loss of habitat and competition with other livestock has adversely affected the population of desert bighorn sheep.
  
  Although the bighorn sheep is more commonly seen on snowy mountainsides, this majestic animal also calls the Mexican desert home. Like their northern cousins, desert bighorn sheep have keen eyesight and are comfortable on steep, rocky cliffs. They also have the capacity to subsist on a diet of dry grasses and shrubs. As of 2010, there are only about 4,000 desert bighorn left; most of them reside in the Sonoran Desert.
Javelina
- Also called a "musk hog," the javelina holds the distinction of being the only wild pig in North America. Unlike other wild pigs, which have tusks that point upward, the javelina's short tusks point downward. The javelina prefers the lower areas of the desert, especially canyons that offer water and shade. Javelinas can't survive long without water, and tend to stay in groups to hunt for food and stand guard against predators.
Mexican Gray Wolf
- Gray wolves were once the most dominant mammal in North America, aside from humans.
  
  The gray wolf was once one of the most common species in North America, but hunting and habitat loss have severely reduced its numbers. The Mexican wolf, which is the only wolf native to the desert, is believed to be a subspecies of the gray wolf. In more northern climates, such as parts of Canada and Minnesota, gray wolves still exist in the wild. Unfortunately, although some Mexican gray wolves still exist in zoos and nature preserves, they are extinct in the wild.
Cactus Pygmy Owl
- This small owl, which can easily fit into your hand, is aptly named.
  
  A resident of both deserts but more common in the northern Sonoran, the pygmy owl lives close to vegetation such as mesquite, saguaro and organ pipe cacti. Not only do these trees, shrubs and cacti make ideals homes for this small desert animal, these plants are also home to its preferred prey: lizards, insects, small rodents, frogs and earthworms. The pygmy owl is also a fierce fighter and will hunt birds twice its own size.
Banded Gila Monster
- Easily identified by its distinctive pink, oange and red markings, the bite of this small desert animal can be deadly.
  
  This colorful animal could be the most famous of all desert wildlife. The banded Gila monster, which is a subspecies of the Gila monster family, is one of only two poisonous lizards that exist in the world. This animal is rarely seen in the wild, as it is cautious, shy and spends most of its time in underground burrows. The banded Gila monster is not officially in danger of extinction, however their situation in the wild remains precarious due to habitat loss and their popularity as domestic pets.