Post on 21-Dec-2015
San Pedro Riparian Area
Supports a cottonwood-willow forest
Excellent protection Roosting sites Microhabitats for terrestrial animals ‘Snags’; protection for water
dwelling species
Produces protective corridors Used by foraging animals Used by migrating species
Home to more species of mammals (78), than any other place in the United States
Beavers (Castor canadensis)
Largest rodents in the United States 25-36 inches long Average weight is in the 30’s, some
weigh up to 60lbs. Have a large, flat, scaly tail
Live in small colonies Parents, yearlings, recent offspring Build dams and lodges together Some live under the banks or rivers
“The Beaver River” Malaria Scare in the early 1900’s Reintroduction in 1940’s and 1999 Healthier willow-cottonwood forest
Coatimundi (Nasua nasua)
San Pedro river marks its Northern Border
Belong to the family Procyonidae (same as raccoons)
Coati are constantly foraging for food!
Body features suit its lifestyle Elongated snoot with “rooting pad” Dexterous hands Longer rear legs Long claws and impressive canines
Mountain Lion(Felis concolor)
Very efficient predators Main source of food is deer One to two deer per week
Involved in some controversy Cattle ranchers Humans ex: Sabino Canyon
Very susceptible to habitat loss Elusive creatures Highly territorial
Mule Deer(Odocoileus hemionus crooki)
Their name comes from the elongated ears
Large species of desert deer Average buck weighs 150lbs. Have very large antlers
Browsers not grazers Prefer to eat leaves of trees and
shrubs Browse only on small amounts from
each plant Southwest pop. decline since 1960’s
Loss of habitat Degradation of habitat from cattle