The only venomous species of lizard native to North America, the gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), is found in the Sonoran Desert. It can reach 2 feet in length, with a heavy body, blunt-ended tail and distinct orange and black markings. The skin of the gila monster has a pronounced bumpy texture that is referred to in the name of its genus, Heloderma, meaning "studded skin." The lizards' diet consists of reptile and bird eggs, but they also scavenge carrion when available. Gila monsters' venomous bite is delivered via modified salivary glands in their mandible. Although they are venomous, they are extremely slow-moving and are not a threat to humans.
Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) are small, cat-like mammals found in desert areas throughout North America. Although they superficially resemble cats, they are related to raccoons. They are nocturnal, solitary omnivores that are elusive and rarely seen. Ringtails have small, grayish-brown bodies and distinctive black-and-white striped tails that are proportionally long, measuring 17 inches on average. One of the animal's most striking features is its large, purplish eyes, which stand out against pale facial markings.
Commonly seen throughout the Sonoran Desert, Harris's hawks (Parabuteo unicinctus) are mid-sized, chestnut-colored raptors inhabiting transitional desert areas and river canyons. They are one of the few birds of prey to hunt cooperatively in groups, with two to six birds scouting for prey and sharing the kill. The Sonoran subspecies of Harris's hawk is physically different from the rest of the species, with darker plumage and longer tail and wing feathers. They reach heights of 30 inches with a nearly 4-foot wingspan.
Found in areas with abundant spring run-off, desert globe mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) is a common wildflower of the Sonoran Desert. The plants are semi-woody with a shrubby, 3-foot-tall growth habit and fuzzy, grey-green foliage and stems. Starting in late spring, desert globe mallow blooms in waves throughout the summer, producing open, coral-colored flowers with vivid yellow stamens.
Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens) is an unusual desert plant native to the Sonoran and Chihuahuan deserts of North America. Throughout most of the year, ocotillo appears as an upright configuration of dead sticks, but following rain it blooms explosively, producing tiny leaves along its stems and 10-inch bracts of brilliant red flowers at the tip of each branch. The foliage and flowers are short-lived but quickly return following precipitation.
The fishhook barrel cactus (Ferocactus wislizenii) is common throughout the Sonoran Desert. They are named both for their barrel-like shape and for their spines, which are curved and resemble fishhooks. They are typically 2 feet wide and up to 6 feet in height, although much larger specimens have been observed. They are dull, asparagus green with grayish or silvery spines. In early summer, yellow or red-orange flowers emerge around the crown of the cactus that are favored by hummingbirds and bees.
