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Casa Grande Ruins National MonumentA cluster of Saguaro blossoms.
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Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
Snakes and Fish of the Sonoran Desert
A pair of coachwhip snakes.

Courtesy: Karen Munroe

A pair of coachwhip snakes.

When most people think of snakes in the desert, they think of Rattlesnakes . Most snakes are active during the warm months. Some are nocturnal, and some are more active during the day. Some desert snakes are venomous while others are constrictors like the gopher snake . Snakes eat all sorts of different things. Rattlesnakes eat mostly rodents, but coachwhip snakes will climb trees or cactus to eat eggs from bird nests.

There are even fish in the desert! The desert pupfish and Gila topminnow only live in the Sonoran desert

 

 
What If...

What if you found a wild animal that was hurt or lost? What is the best thing to do?

 

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A burrowing owl guarding its burrow at Casa Grande Ruins.  

Did You Know?
Burrowing owls are unique among birds because they nest underground in existing ground squirrel, coyote, and badger burrows. They are also commonly associated with humans and will frequently nest in burrows along irrigation ditches, canals, and even in people’s yards.

Last Updated: August 22, 2006 at 18:11 EST