Wonders of the Southwest: Plants & Wildlife in Grand Canyon National Park

1
Wonders of the
Southwest

• Plants Wildlife
• In Grand Canyon
• National Park

2
An Ecosystem Teeming with Life

• One of the planets most spectacular sights,
  Grand Canyon National Park is a feast for the
  eyes and hosts a wonderful diversity of flora
  (plants) and fauna (animals).
• Grand Canyon National Park is home to
• 129 different plant communities
• Nearly 150 mammal species
• Well take a look at some of the fascinating
  plants and animals that call this area home.

3
Coyote (Canis latrans)

• The coyote has been known for centuries by many
  Native American groups as the trickster for its
  cleverness and sneaky antics.
• Highly social animals, coyotes are known for
  their raucous chorus of yips, yelps and howls,
  often heard at dusk.
• Turn your head away for just a moment and you
  might miss these wandering creatures coyotes can
  run up to 40 miles per hour.
• Interesting Fact To avoid being detected by
  predators like bears and wolves, coyotes will
  sometimes tiptoe to make as little noise as
  possible.

4
Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei)

• Yucca whipplei is a desert plant with a
  distinctive cluster of white flowers that sprouts
  up through the center of the plant.
• The plants leaves are pointed with sharp ends
  the flower cluster blooms only after the plant is
  5 years old, after which point the plant usually
  dies.
• Interesting fact Yucca whipplei was used
  extensively by the Native Americans. Fiber from
  the leaves was used to make sandals and rope, and
  the flowers, seeds, and fruits were prepared and
  eaten.

5
California Condor (Gymnogyps californianus)

• California condors are considered one of the
  rarest birds in the world, and they were once
  extinct in the wild.
• In recent years they have been successfully
  reintroduced into Utah and Arizona, including
  Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks.
• Interesting facts Condors have the largest
  wingspan of any bird, up to 9.5 feet and can
  weigh up to 23 pounds. Unlike many other bird
  species, males and females are identical in size
  and plumage.

6
Desert Bighorn Sheep (Ovis canadensis nelsoni)

• Unmistakable for their large, curved horns (males
  only), bighorn sheep are also known for their
  impressive ability to scale steep mountain
  cliffs.
• During mating season male bighorns (rams) engage
  in fierce head-butting battles to win over the
  females.
• Interesting fact Double-layered skulls allow
  male bighorns to take blows to the head of 400
  pounds per square inch.

7
Desert Ocotillo (F. splendens)

• Ocotillo is a distinctive-looking desert plant
  that blooms spectacular clusters of red flowers
  in spring and summer.
• Native Americans have traditionally used
  different parts of the ocotillo plant to relieve
  fatigue, stop bleeding over fresh wounds, and to
  alleviate varicose veins, urinary tract
  infections, and coughing.
• Interesting fact Ocotillo flowers are sometimes
  used in flowers and herbal teas.

8
Banded Gila Monster (H. s. cinctum)

• Although banded gila monsters are venomous, they
  are slow moving and are rarely defensive unless
  harassed or threatened.
• Gila monsters are 9-14 inches long from snout to
  tail and eat insects, small mammals, reptiles and
  their eggs, bird eggs and nestlings, especially
  of ground-nesters like quail.
• Interesting facts Gila monsters are the only
  venomous lizard in the United States. They can
  survive on just 3-4 meals per year and store fat
  in their tails for later use.

9
Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus)

• Mountain quail are large ground-nesting birds
  with a distinctive long plume on top of their
  heads.
• Unlike many other bird and mammal species,
  mountain quail chicks are well-developed and
  mobile right after birth, allowing them to leave
  the nest and explore and forage.
• Interesting fact Mountain quail are the only
  member of the quail family to migrate seasonally,
  going downslope during the winter months.

10
Many Ways to See the Sights

• Grand Canyon National Park can be explored in
  several different ways, including
• Aerially, as with a Grand Canyon helicopter tour
• On foot
• By raft
• On a bus tour
• All of these modes offer different benefits and
  views of the spectacular canyon and surrounding
  desert and mountain environments.

11

• Since 1965 Papillon has been the world's oldest
  and largest sightseeing company, flying an
  estimated 600,000 passengers a year on its daily
  tours to the Grand Canyon. With over forty unique
  excursions featuring spectacular sights of the
  Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, Page/Lake
  Powell, and unforgettable views of the Grand
  Canyon, Papillon is proud to offer guests an
  unparalleled perspective of one of the world's
  greatest natural wonders.
• Visit www.papillon.com for tour information or
  call [phone].