Coniferous Forest

Coniferous forest occurs in the higher mountain ranges throughout the Sonoran Desert. This Rocky Mountain montane forest is the dominant vegetation of the cold- temperate Rocky Mountains. Its elevation increases southward until it is pushed off the tops of the mountains by excessive aridity and warmth in Mexico. In the mountains west of the Sonoran Desert are isolated islands of Sierran (as in Sierra Nevada) coniferous forest, characterized by different species of conifers and other plants.

The Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert as currently defined covers approximately 100,000 square miles (260,000 sq.km.) and includes most of the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California, most of the Baja California peninsula, the islands of the Gulf of California, and much of the state of Sonora, Mexico. It is lush in comparison to most other deserts. Two visually dominant life forms of plants distinguish the Sonoran Desert from the other North American deserts: legume trees and columnar cacti. It also supports many other life forms encompassing a rich spectrum of some 2,000 species of plants.

The amount and seasonality of rainfall are defining characteristics of the Sonoran Desert. Much of the area has a biseasonal rainfall pattern, though even during the rainy seasons most days are sunny. From December to March frontal storms from North Pacific Ocean occasionally bring widespread, gentle rain to the northwestern areas. From July to mid-September, the summer monsoon brings surges of wet tropical air and frequent but localized violent thunderstorms.

The Sonoran Desert prominently differs from the other three North American Deserts in having mild winters; most of the area rarely experiences frost. About half of the biota is tropical in origin, with life cycles attuned to the brief summer rainy season. The winter rains, when ample, produce huge populations of annuals (which comprise half of the species in our flora).

Kangaroo Rats

Kangaroo rats can survive their entire lives without drinking a drop of water. The water they do get from seeds or insects is recycled in the body. Their nasal passages actually cool their breath, condensing the moisture into water droplets that are reabsorbed into their body.

Roadrunners

Roadrunners can run up to 25 miles per hour and actually expend less energy running than flying, allowing them to conserve water and energy.

Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert takes up over 100,000 square miles and covers parts of two states and two countries: the southern parts of Arizona and California in the United States and large parts of the states of Sonora, Baja California Norte and Baja California Sur in Mexico.

You’ve probably read that the Sonoran Desert is one of the most wildly diverse deserts in the world, but it is also one of the most ecologically balanced deserts in the world.

Bark Scorpion

The bark scorpions body has two parts, a cephalothorax and abdomen. The tail is actually a part of the abdomen. It has five segments each longer than the last; at the tip is the stinger (not considered a segment). They have 8 jointed legs and a pair of pedipalps that are use for grasping prey and sensing.

Adaptations

Scorpions have "hairs" on their legs and other body parts that are sensitive to vibrations in the air. To avoid the extreme heat of the daytime they will shelter in the shade and come out at night to hunt for food. In the winter months they will hibernate, often congregating in large groups.