The fastest animals in North America, sprinting up to 70 mph, both male and female pronghorns sport permanent horns. Usually seen in open grasslands or sagebrush country.

TARANTULA

This nocturnal arachnid commonly grows to 3 inches across. Gentle by nature, will bite or release irritating hairs if roughly handled.
 

These distant relatives of pigs travel in bands of up to 30 and though normally shy, may attack aggressive humans. Also known as Collared Peccary.

KAIBAB AND ABERT’S SQUIRREL

Once a single tassel-eared species, time and separation by the Grand Canyon has created two subspecies. Found only on the North Rim, the Kaibab Squirrel is endangered. Abert’s is found throughout the Four Corners area.

The “trickster” of Native lore, the wily coyote is a survivor, at home in Las Vegas or the backcountry. Nights filled with their yips and howls and a sky of stars embody the spirit of the Southwest.

MULE DEER

Weighing 125-200 pounds, “mulies” can commonly be seen browsing during dawn and dusk. Fawns recognize their mothers by the unique odor from glands near the hooves on her hind legs.

Whether called “Puma”, ”Cougar” or “Catamount”, this elusive feline is more likely to see you than you see it. It is a solitary hunter, weighing 75-200 pounds and favoring mule deer for dinner.

BOBCAT

Weighing between 20 and 60 pounds, these cats will take down prey equal to their own weight. Prefers rabbits, but will take rats, mice birds, frogs and mule deer.

When escaping a predator, this hare can cover as much as 20 feet in a single bound. Believed by some to interbreed with the antelope to create the legendary Jackalope.

SKUNK

PePe le Pew’s cousins weighing 5-15 pounds are seen in both developed areas and wilderness. Only when seriously harassed will it shoot its signature stinging and stinking spray, sometimes as much as 15 feet.

Of the Southwest’s 12 poisonous snakes, 11 are rattlesnakes. Their wide triangular heads and distinctive warning rattle stop most people. Generally, the snakes withdraw if not disturbed.

CALIFORNIA CONDOR

Once down to only 22 left in the world, there are now more than 200 of these huge carrion-eating birds, thanks to a successful captive breeding program by the Peregrine Fund. Some 30 now call Northern Arizona home.

Both Bald and Golden eagles call the Grand Canyon area home. Immature Balds frequently mistaken for the dark brown Goldens.

RAVEN

Believed to be the smartest of all birds, ravens are the largest members of the crow family. They are opportunists and will eat garbage as readily as road kill and have a wide repertoire of sounds.