Desert regions in the United States are located in the southwestern portion of the country. Desert land takes up sections of states such as Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Texas. Deserts are commonly noted for their lack of rainfall and unique plants such as the cactus. The United States desert region is also home to many interesting animals that people in other parts of the country may never get to experience first hand.
Armadillos, which be found in places such as Texas, are omnivores known for their singular appearance and hard shell. Armadillos protect themselves by hiding inside of their shells when predators come along. Armadillos can be helpful to desert residents as they like to dine on beetles, ants and other household pests. Another interesting desert mammal is the jack rabbit. These critters can be recognized by their tall standing ears. Jack rabbits are most active in the evening as there are too many predators lurking around during the day. Other common American desert mammals include porcupines, coyotes and prairie dogs.
No American desert would be complete without lizards and snakes. Rattlesnakes are well-known desert animals due to their noisy tails and venomous nature. An untreated rattlesnake bite can be fatal. A person or pet bitten by a rattlesnake should be seen by a medical professional immediately. Other snakes living in United States deserts include the sidewinder and the western diamondback. Less threatening to people are the lizards of the desert. Common lizards are the iguana and the horned lizard. Although horned lizards can look a little creepy, they are only interested in eating bugs and will not harm people.
New Mexico's state bird, the roadrunner, is an peculiar little animal. Although small in size, this tiny bird can run as fast as 17 miles per hour. Roadrunners have become feathered celebrities due to the Looney Tunes television show and the even more impressive fact that they can take down a rattlesnake. Owls like to hunt in the desert night. One prominent species is the barn owl. The barn owl primarily feeds on mice and other rodents.
American deserts are not exempt from insects. Fire ants are one insect often seen in Texas and Arizona. Fire ants do bite, so it is important for people to exterminate them if they invade a home or backyard. The infamous black widow spider, not an insect but an arachnid, also calls the desert home. Black widow spiders carry lethal venom. Anyone bitten by a black widow should go to the hospital as soon as possible. Female black widow spiders can be spotted due to the red hourglass figure on their stomachs. The most notorious spider of the desert is the tarantula, some species of which eat birds.
