Wildlife of the North American Deserts PDF Download

Author: James W. Cornett
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Animals
Languages : en
Pages : 220

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Author: Karen Krebbs
Publisher: Adventure Publications
ISBN: 1591936640
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 257

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Book Description
Learn about more than 80 species of plants and animals—and how they survive in the Chihuahuan, Great Basin, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts. Although it may look barren, the desert is teeming with life. Have you ever wondered which animals and plants thrive in the American Southwest and how they survive? This fantastic guide reveals the answers! Desert Life is filled with stunning photography and fascinating information from Karen Krebbs, a naturalist with more than 30 years of experience studying desert life. Featuring such entries as mountain lions, owls, snakes, and scorpions, as well as cacti, yuccas, and more, this guide to plant life and wildlife provides the information you want to know. Inside you’ll find: Spotlight on more than 80 species of desert plants and animals Special emphasis on how to spot them and how they survive Engaging information about the Chihuahuan, Great Basin, Mojave, and Sonoran deserts “Wow” facts about diet, predators, lifespan, and more From plants and small insects to large mammals, the species featured in this book provide an entirely new understanding of life in the desert!

Author: Thomas R. Van Devender
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
ISBN: 0816540276
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 401

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One of the most recognizable animals of the Southwest, the desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) makes its home in both the Sonoran and Mohave Deserts, as well as in tropical areas to the south in Mexico. Called by Tohono O'odham people "komik'c-ed," or "shell with living thing inside," it is one of the few desert creatures kept as a domestic pet—as well as one of the most studied reptiles in the world. Most of our knowledge of desert tortoises comes from studies of Mohave Desert populations in California and Nevada. However, the ecology, physiology, and behavior of these northern populations are quite different from those of their southern, Sonoran Desert, and tropical cousins, which have been studied much less. Differences in climate and habitat have shaped the evolution of three races of desert tortoises as they have adapted to changes in heat, rainfall, and sources of food and shelter as the deserts developed in the last ten million years. This book presents the first comprehensive summary of the natural history, biology, and conservation of the Sonoran and Sinaloan desert tortoises, reviewing the current state of knowledge of these creatures with appropriate comparisons to Mohave tortoises. It condenses a vast amount of information on population ecology, activity, and behavior based on decades of studying tortoise populations in Arizona and Sonora, Mexico, and also includes important material on the care and protection of tortoises. Thirty-two contributors address such topics as tortoise fossil records, DNA analysis, and the mystery of secretive hatchlings and juveniles. Tortoise health is discussed in chapters on the care of captives, and original data are presented on the diets of wild and captive tortoises, the nutrient content of plant foods, and blood parameters of healthy tortoises. Coverage of conservation issues includes husbandry methods for captive tortoises, an overview of protective measures, and an evaluation of threats to tortoises from introduced grass and wildfires. A final chapter on cultural knowledge presents stories and songs from indigenous peoples and explores their understanding of tortoises. As the only comprehensive book on the desert tortoise, this volume gathers a vast amount of information for scientists, veterinarians, and resource managers while also remaining useful to general readers who keep desert tortoises as backyard pets. It will stand as an enduring reference on this endearing creature for years to come.

Author: George Olin
Publisher: Good Press
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 204

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In 'Mammals of the Southwest Mountains and Mesas' by George Olin, readers are taken on a detailed exploration of the diverse mammalian species that inhabit the unique ecosystems of the southwest mountains and mesas. Olin's descriptive and informative style provides readers with a comprehensive understanding of each species' behavior, habitat, and role within the ecosystem. The book is a valuable resource for both academics and wildlife enthusiasts, offering a blend of scientific research and engaging narrative. With stunning illustrations and vivid descriptions, Olin brings these animals to life on the page, making for an immersive reading experience. This book is a must-have for anyone interested in the natural world of the Southwest. George Olin's passion for wildlife and expertise in the field shine through in 'Mammals of the Southwest Mountains and Mesas'. His deep connection to the region and its wildlife is evident in the meticulous research and attention to detail present throughout the book. Olin's work is a testament to his dedication to preserving and sharing the beauty of the natural world. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking to expand their knowledge of southwestern wildlife and gain a greater appreciation for the wonders of nature.

Author: Madeleine Dunphy
Publisher: Web of Life Children's Book
ISBN: 0988330288
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 32

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Despite its stark landscape and harsh climate, the Sonoran Desert teems with life. Hare, hawks, lizards, bobcats, badgers, coyote — all live among the desert’s fragrant mesquite and spiny cactus, and none can exist without the others. Madeleine Dunphy’s poetic text explores all the warm and native elements that make the American Southwest such a mystical place, while Anne Coe's stunning paintings portray the desert’s plants and animals as well as the dazzling colors reflected in the rocks and skies of the Sonoran Desert.

Author: George Olin
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Desert animals
Languages : en
Pages : 120

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Author: William L. Halvorson
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
ISBN: 081655241X
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 375

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Book Description
The southwestern deserts stretch from southeastern California to west Texas and then south to central Mexico. The landscape of this region is known as basin and range topography featuring to “sky islands” of forest rising from the desert lowlands which creates a uniquely diverse ecology. The region is further complicated by an international border, where governments have caused difficulties for many animal populations. This book puts a spotlight on individual research projects which are specific examples of work being done in the area and when they are all brought together, to shed a general light of understanding the biological and cultural resources of this vast region so that those same resources can be managed as effectively and efficiently as possible. The intent is to show that collaborative efforts among federal, state agency, university, and private sector researchers working with land managers, provides better science and better management than when scientists and land managers work independently.

Author: Lawrence R. Walker
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
ISBN: 0816532621
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 343

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Book Description
Invites readers to explore the smallest and most unique southwestern desert, the beautiful Mojave--Provided by publisher.

Author: Steven J. Phillips
Publisher: Univ of California Press
ISBN: 9780520219809
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 676

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"A Natural History of the Sonoran Desert provides the most complete collection of Sonoran Desert natural history information ever compiled and is a perfect introduction to this biologically rich desert of North America."--BOOK JACKET.

Author: Barbara Tellman
Publisher: University of Arizona Press
ISBN: 9780816521784
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 454

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Book Description
All over the planet, organisms of many species are appearing outside of their natural habitatsÑoften carried by that particularly peripatetic species Homo sapiens. This book marks the first comprehensive attempt to address problems posed by expanding populations of exotic plant and animal species in the Sonoran Desert and adjacent grasslands and riparian areas. It describes the arrival and spread of non-native species as diverse as rats and saltcedar, covering both their impacts and the management of those impacts. It is estimated that as much as 60 percent of the vegetative cover of the Sonoita Creek-Patagonia Reserve, the first Nature Conservancy area designated in Arizona, is dominated by exotic plants, and that introduced fish pose a recurrent threat to the native fish of that area. Meanwhile at the Grand Canyon, invasives such as tamarisk, red brome, carp, and catfish are pervasive either in the Colorado River or in the patches of desert scrub along its shores. Throughout the Sonoran Desert and adjacent areas, from islands in the Sea of CortŽs to desert grasslands, some six hundred species of non-native plants and animals have become established, with bullfrogs and Mediterranean grasses now common where they once never existed. The book brings together contributors from academia, government, and nonprofit organizations, including such experts as Gary Paul Nabhan, Richard Mack, and Alberto Bœrquez-Montijo. They review historic and even prehistoric origins of non-native speciesÑnot only exotic plants, amphibians, and mammals but also insects, fish, and birds. They then examine significant problems in each major subregion and ecosystem and discuss control efforts. The volume contains the first compiled list of more than 500 naturalized exotic species in the Sonoran region. Invasive species issues are rapidly emerging as major environmental concerns both locally and worldwide. This book will assist professionalsÑecologists, conservation biologists, and policy makersÑinvolved in invasive species control in the Southwest and will be a rich resource for all concerned with protecting native species and their habitats.