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Animals Live Here!
Observation of our area has allowed us to understand just how diverse and amazing of an eco-system Gold Canyon has. Below is a list of the species we have documented since 2016.
(As observed, studied, and documented by the Desert Nature Alliance Field Team)
List Updated on 11/18/2022
Arizona is home to 107 species of native reptiles- 49 lizards, 6 turtles, 52 snakes, 11 protected by law
Gila Monsters – endangered species- spend 98% of their time
underground at high risk due to habitat destruction and loss
Desert Tortoise- “Threatened” status
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is protected by law and cannot
be collected or hunted without a license. Arizona has 13 species of
rattlesnakes the most of any state in the US. The New Mexico ridge-nosed is the
only subspecies that is endangered.
King Snake
Sonoran Gopher Snake
Variable Sand Snake
Long Nose
Coach Whip
Lizards- Desert Spiny, Eastern Collard, Western Whiptail, Greater
short horned, Zebra tailed, Lone- nosed Leopard, sagebrush, Desert Horned,
Ornate tree, Western Banded Gecko, Iguana, Western Fence, Skink, Chuckwalla*
Tarantula Hawk
Toads- Arizona is home to 23 indigenous species- most common
Sonoran Desert Toad
Hummingbird Moths
Walking Sticks
Praying Mantis
Spiders*- Widow, Wolf, Brown Recluse, Jumping, Common House, Sun,
Giant Crab
Crickets
Grasshoppers
Green Fig Beetle
Blister Beetle
Termites
Kissing Bugs/Conenose
Centipedes
Ants*
Cockroaches
Bees and Wasps* 500 species
Dragonflies
Scorpions - Giant Hairy, Bark and Stripe tailed
Tarantulas- Desert Blonde
The Migratory Bird Treaty Act makes it unlawful without a waiver
to pursue, hunt, take, capture, kill or sell nearly 1100 species of birds
listed as migratory.
Burrowing Owls are federally protected by the Migratory Bird
Treaty Act, listed Threatened by Mexico and endangered in Canada. Burrowing
Owls habitats must be considered when planning new developments.
Birds noted below have been seen and or documented by the DNA Team
from list “Birds of Lost Dutchman State Park” by Arizona State Parks & Trails:
(Some noted as R-Rare or U- Uncommon)
Turkey Vultures
Black Vultures
Red-Tailed Hawk
Harris Hawk
Coopers Hawk
Eagle (R)
Killdeer (U)
Greater Roadrunner
Greater Egret (GCGR and Mountain Brook lakes ducks*)
Annas Hummingbird
Costas Hummingbird (U)
Broad Tailed Hummingbird (U)
Black Chinned Hummingbird(R)
Western Screech Owl (U)
Great Horned Owl (U)
Lesser Night Hawk (U)
Gila Woodpecker
Gilded Flicker
Vermillion Flycatcher (R) (GCGR Lake areas)
Raven
Cactus Wren
Curved Billed Thrasher
European Starling
Phainopepla
Northern Cardinal
Pyrrhuloxia (U)
Black-headed Grosbeak (R)
Hooded Oriole(R)
Aberts Towhee
Black Throated Sparrow
Great Tailed Grackle
House Sparrow
House Finch
MAMMALS
Bats-
Bats found DOR (dead on road) by DNA donated to ASU via Angela
McIntire Statewide Bat Specialist
2 Canyon Bats (Parastrellus Hesperus)
1 Nyctinomops
Mountain Lion -dozens of videos. photos and firsthand accounts of
only seeing one leads us to believe we have a male in our area who roams
Mule Deer – population in and around GCGR herd size estimate
10/15*. Fewer sightings outside of GCGR overall
Coyote- continue to get hit on the freeways and roads, obvious
habitat loss and adjustments as human population increase
Javelina- herds have relocated due to habitat loss but appear to
be thriving
Bobcat- healthy population appears to be thriving. Nuisance calls around
Peralta up for AZGF due to Bobcats abilities to scale walls and homeowners who
create oasis in their back yards.
Gray Fox- sightings are common
Jack Rabbits- fewer sightings of the large rabbits
Cottontail Rabbit- abundant
Raccoon
Squirrel
Pack Rats
Coatimundi
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