Animals Adapted to Desert Life

Wildlife in the Mountains and Basins region has evolved remarkable strategies to survive extreme heat, scarce water, and rugged terrain.

• Roadrunners hunt lizards and insects and obtain moisture from their prey

• Javelinas travel in herds and use their tough snouts to forage on cacti and roots

• Mule deer migrate between mountain and basin elevations following seasonal forage

• Rattlesnakes and lizards are active at dawn and dusk to avoid midday heat

• Pronghorn antelope are built for speed across open desert basins