Category: Animals

Animals are multicellular, eukaryotic organisms in the kingdom Animalia, characterized by their ability to move voluntarily (at least at some life stage), lack of cell walls, and heterotrophic nutrition, meaning they consume other organisms or organic matter for energy. They range in size from microscopic plankton to massive blue whales, occupying nearly every habitat on Earth—land, sea, air, and even extreme environments like deep-sea vents or polar ice. Animals exhibit diverse forms, from simple sponges with no true tissues to complex mammals with advanced nervous systems. Most reproduce sexually, though some, like certain jellyfish, can reproduce asexually. They play critical roles in ecosystems as predators, prey, pollinators, and decomposers. Behaviors vary widely, from solitary hunters like tigers to highly social species like ants. Major groups include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates like insects and mollusks, each adapted to specific ecological niches.

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)

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Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)
Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos)

Desert Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma platyrhinos), also known as the “horny toad”, is a common North American reptile and found throughout the southwest and the Mojave. A personal childhood favorite of mine, the horned lizard does have the appearance of a small dinosaur and it a master of camouflage.

This is a small to medium sized lizard, its 3 – 5 inch broad and flat body features a prominent series of fringed scales. Its head also boasts several horn which offers the lizard its name. Undoubtedly, the overall body shape is that of a toad is also a contributing factor. The coloration of the body will vary to help the lizard blend into its background.

The reptile’s diet is small insects and is commonly found at or near ant mounds where they will lie in wait for its meal to simply walk by. Generally speaking this animal is found at elevations below 6500 feet in creosote-bursage flats and Mojave Desert Scrub.

Desert Horned Lizard, a master of camouflage
Desert Horned Lizard, a master of camouflage

Defensively, the little lizard is all about appearances. Primarily, camoflauge allows it to remain hidden in plain sight. The reptile is known to hiss and puff up its chest when confronted in an effort to appear larger and more dangerous that it really is known to be. Some species of the genus are known to squirt blood from its eyes and may reach a distance of 5 feet.

Mustang (Equus ferus caballus)

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The Wild Mustang (Equus caballus), an enduring symbol of the American frontier, roams the vast, arid expanses of the desert southwest United States as a feral horse population descended from domesticated Spanish horses introduced in the 16th century. These hardy equines, often romanticized in folklore and media, have adapted through natural selection to survive in harsh environments, exhibiting remarkable resilience amid sparse resources and extreme conditions. With populations managed by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to balance ecological sustainability, mustangs embody a complex interplay of history, biology, and conservation in regions like Nevada, Arizona, and New Mexico.

A lone mustang is the symbol of wild, power and freedom
A lone mustang is the symbol of wild, power and freedom

Classification

The Wild Mustang is classified within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Perissodactyla, family Equidae, genus Equus, and species caballus. Though often referred to as “wild,” mustangs are technically feral horses, descendants of domesticated equines rather than a truly wild subspecies like the extinct North American horses that evolved on the continent millions of years ago. Their ancestry traces primarily to Colonial Spanish horses from the Iberian Peninsula, with mitochondrial DNA studies confirming high frequencies of Iberian haplotypes, though admixtures from other breeds like Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses, and drafts have occurred over time. Distinct strains, such as the Spanish Mustang or Kiger Mustang, retain stronger Spanish bloodlines, while isolated herds in the desert southwest may exhibit unique genetic traits shaped by geographic separation and natural selection.

Physical Description

Mustangs are compact, medium-sized horses, typically standing 14 to 15 hands high (56 to 60 inches or 142 to 152 cm at the withers) and weighing around 800 pounds (360 kg). They possess a light-riding build with muscular bodies, strong bone structure, and exceptional hardiness, featuring flat or slightly convex head profiles, broad foreheads tapering to fine muzzles, and eyes set slightly higher on the face. Necks are well-defined and attach smoothly to sloping shoulders, with moderately narrow chests, short strong backs, deep heart girths, well-sprung ribs, and smooth round hindquarters. Legs are straight and sound, supported by durable hooves with thick walls, ideal for rugged terrain. Coat colors vary widely, including bay, sorrel, dun, appaloosa, paint patterns, and primitive markings like stripes, though some registries exclude certain patterns like tobiano. Movement is smooth and rhythmic, with the ability to gallop at 25–30 mph (40–48 km/h), and up to 55 mph (88 km/h) in short bursts. In the desert southwest, natural selection favors traits like surefootedness, endurance, and agility for navigating arid landscapes.

Behavior

Wild mustangs are social animals that form structured groups known as bands or herds, typically comprising one dominant stallion (over 6 years old), around eight mares, and their young, led by a head mare who guides the group to safety in threats while the stallion defends from behind. Stallion leadership is dynamic, with challenges from rivals promoting genetic diversity. Communication relies on body language, such as ear positioning, tail swishing, and vocalizations, to convey emotions and maintain hierarchy. They exhibit intelligence, curiosity, and a strong fight-or-flight response honed by survival in harsh environments, making them cautious yet resilient. In the desert southwest, mustangs travel long distances for resources, adapting foraging strategies and mixing with other herds during dangers. Isolated populations may show unique behaviors, like gaited movements or curly coats in Nevada herds, influenced by genetic admixtures. Without significant predators, populations can grow rapidly, leading to overgrazing if unmanaged.

A mustang taking in some shade next to a pool of water.
A mustang taking in some shade next to a pool of water.

Food Sources

As herbivores and hindgut fermenters, mustangs primarily consume grasses, brush, shrubs, and other native vegetation, extracting nutrients from low-quality forage via their cecum—a adaptation allowing survival in arid regions where ruminants like cattle struggle. In the desert southwest, they graze close to the ground on sparse plants, ranging 5–10 times farther than cattle to access food and water, often digging for hydration in dry areas. Their diet requires about 1.5 animal units (AUM) of forage, focusing on soluble fiber while avoiding excess sugars to prevent digestive issues. An average mustang needs around 16 pounds of grass daily, supplemented by minerals and salts in harsh environments. This opportunistic foraging supports their easy-keeper nature, enabling them to thrive on limited resources in deserts and grasslands.

Breeding

Mustangs are viviparous, with mares carrying foals for an 11-month gestation period, typically giving birth in spring (April to June) to align with milder weather and abundant forage for growth. Breeding occurs within isolated herds, where dominant stallions mate with mares, and dynamic challenges ensure genetic diversity, though inbreeding in small populations can lead to issues like reduced heterozygosity and diseases such as PSSM Type 1. Unmanaged herds can grow by up to 20% annually, prompting BLM interventions like fertility control to prevent overpopulation and starvation. Foals are born precocial, able to stand and nurse shortly after birth, and remain with the herd for protection. In the desert southwest, breeding success ties to resource availability, with natural selection favoring resilient offspring in arid conditions. Lifespans in the wild reach up to 36 years, shorter than in captivity.

Two will fed mustangs near Cold Creek, Nevada
Two will fed mustangs near Cold Creek, Nevada

Habitat and Range

Wild mustangs inhabit arid and semiarid public rangelands west of the Continental Divide, including deserts, grasslands, and mountainous terrains, where they adapt to extreme temperatures, scarce water, and sparse vegetation. In the desert southwest United States, populations thrive in states like Nevada (hosting over half of North America’s free-roaming mustangs), Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and California, managed across 26.9 million acres in Herd Management Areas (HMAs) by the BLM. These areas encompass ecosystems from the Great Basin to the Colorado Plateau, with herds digging for water and migrating seasonally for forage. Total free-roaming numbers exceed 72,000, protected under the 1971 Wild Free-Roaming Horses and Burros Act as living symbols of the West, though overpopulation challenges lead to roundups and adoptions.

BLM Mustang Range Map
BLM Mustang Range Map

Resources

Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Perissodactyla
Family:Equidae
Genus:Equus
Species:E. ferus
Subspecies:E. f. caballus

Speckled Rattlesnake ( Crotalus mitchellii )

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The Speckled Rattlesnake is fairly common pit viper found in southern California, southern Nevada, western Arizona and south-western Utah and down the Pacific coast into Baja California.  A moderate size snake, this animal typically does not exceed 39 inches in length.  As with most animals, the Speckled Rattlesnake is a master of disguise and commonly are colored to compliment the surrounding rock.  This viper can range from pink, cream, tan or pale blues and grays.  This feature I can personally attest to as I witnessed and entire Cub Scout Pack literally step over the specimen photographed below while hiking on a camping trip in the Valley of Fire State Park just outside of Las Vegas, Nevada.

Juvenile Speckled Rattle Snake found in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
A Juvenile Speckled Rattlesnake found in Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
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Mojave Goldfish

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Over Presidents day weekend, my wife and I were travelling back from Big Bear, CA to our house after a visit with family towards our home in Las Vegas.  Frequently, my wife will point out an old road or mine and comment that we need to take that trail someday.  During out drive home, we were talking about the mining district in Mountain Pass and the Evening Star mine.  On this journey, we chanced upon the ultra rare Mojave Goldfish.

This is one of the great reasons for owning a 4×4 and the Mojave Desert is a prime location to explore.

A live stock watering trough in the Mojave Desert.. Photograph by James L Rathbun
A live stock watering trough in the Mojave Desert. Photograph by James L Rathbun

So, we exited the I-15 travelling north on Baily road near the Kokoweef mine.  Typically, I have a route mapped out ahead of time, but a spur of the moment decision left our route to happenstance.   We drove straight off the off ramp and headed up the hill.  Immediately I sensed the I took the wrong route, but since we were exploring I just drove on, you never know what you will find.  Soon, we found a private property sign, and opt towards a road to the left.  I found 4×4 low in the transfer case and we climbed a short hill.  Upon cresting the hill, I noticed something metal down the the left.  I road the gears down in low until we reached the small canyon where I made a tight left towards the metallic object I saw from the top of the hill.

Within a quarter of a mile, I found an juniper tree with a metal water trough.  These are not uncommon in the mojave and can be found throughout the dessert.  I parked the jeep to investigate and was shocked…

The rare Mojave Gold fish in its natual environment. Photo by James L Rathbun
The rare Mojave Gold fish in its natural environment. Photo by James L Rathbun

We stumbled upon Goldfish, in the Mojave Desert and these things were pretty big.  I mean, I have eaten trout smaller than some of these.  Goldfish are used to keep the algae in check inside the water trough.  An elegant solution to a problem I didn’t think existed, but that makes sense.  The water trough was plumbed with a PVC pipe to bring the spring water to the trough.  The overflow, did just that and the rocks on either wide of the trough edge allow for animals to escape the tank.  An endless supply of fresh water would keep the urea concentrations down, so the fish grow into their environment.

My biggest question is that in a remote area with a lot of preditors, why are these fish alive?  I thought that an oportunistic coyote, fox or raven would make quick work of this exposed tank, but these large fish prove they have been here for time.  Regardless a very fun find and a true 4×4 destination.