There are a lot of really neat animals to see in Arizona, and the lack of heavy underbrush in most parts of the state means that you are probably more likely to see them than in some parts of the country.

 

We have ponds in our backyard, and we live in a very rural area, so the “permanent” water attracts a lot of wildlife.  (The ponds are artificial, but have been there 8 years, so they seem natural to the wildlife.  In our backyard we have seen javalina, coatis, skunks, bobcats, mountain lions, black bears, several kinds of lizards, several kinds of snakes (but never a rattler yet-  I think the king snakes keep them away), and over 100 species of birds.  We have seen rattlesnakes many times on the trail.  My younger son is a herpetologist, so he knows where to look.  He says the authority on rattlesnakes is Klauber, and according to Klauber, rattlesnakes can strike 2/3 of their length.

 

Bill in Willcox