Tag: Oregon

Oregon, nestled in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States, captivates with its diverse landscapes and vibrant culture. From the rugged coastline adorned with dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches to the lush, emerald forests that cloak much of its interior, Oregon boasts natural beauty that enchants visitors and residents alike. The Cascade Range cuts through the state, offering majestic peaks and pristine lakes, while the Willamette Valley is renowned for its fertile soils, ideal for agriculture and wine production. Cities like Portland and Eugene embody a blend of creativity, sustainability, and outdoor enthusiasm, making Oregon a haven for artists, outdoor adventurers, and those seeking a slower pace amidst breathtaking scenery.

Western Fence Lizard (Sceloporus occidentalis )

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The Western Fence Lizard ( Sceloporus occidentalis ) is perhaps one of the most common lizards in the desert southwest and is also known as a “Blue belly”. Perhaps this commonality is the reason for its name. The Western Fence lizard is found in a variety of habitats and common at elevations up to 10,800 feet. They can be located in forests, desert sage, farmlands and grasslands. This species is typically not found in harsh desert climates and moist forests.

Western Fence Lizard
Western Fence Lizard

This animal is typically between 2 inches and 3.5 inches in length. They are typically black to brown in colors with stripes on their backs. They have blue colored patches on their ventral abdomen. This reptiles will lay clutches of eggs between 3 and 17 eggs in the spring between April and July. The eggs will hatch within two months of feralization.

This animal are known to eat insects including ant, beetles, flies, spiders and some caterpillars. They typically can be found sunning themselves on rocks, fences and paths. The are a prey item for other animals including larger lizards, birds and also some a mammals. As is common with most reptiles, the lizard is known to hibernate in cooler winter months.

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Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana )

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The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana), often mistakenly called an antelope, is the sole surviving member of the Antilocapridae family and North America’s fastest land mammal, capable of sustained speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h). In the desert southwest of the United States, particularly the Sonoran Desert, the subspecies known as the Sonoran pronghorn (A. a. sonoriensis) exemplifies remarkable adaptations to arid environments, including efficient water conservation and heat tolerance. These graceful ungulates, with their distinctive pronged horns and white rump patches, roam vast open landscapes, evoking the untamed spirit of the American West.

A solitary Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) found near Golbin Valley, Utah
A solitary Pronghorn ( Antilocapra americana ) found near Golbin Valley, Utah

Classification

Pronghorns belong to the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates), family Antilocapridae, genus Antilocapra, and species americana. There are five recognized subspecies: the American pronghorn (A. a. americana), Mexican pronghorn (A. a. mexicana), Sonoran pronghorn (A. a. sonoriensis), Baja California pronghorn (A. a. peninsularis), and Oregon pronghorn (A. a. oregona). The Sonoran pronghorn, endemic to the desert southwest, is listed as endangered due to habitat fragmentation and human activities. Pronghorns are not true antelopes but are more closely related to giraffes and okapis, though they represent a unique evolutionary lineage that once included multiple species during the Pleistocene era.

Physical Description

Adult pronghorns measure 1.3–1.5 meters (4.3–4.9 feet) in length, stand 81–104 cm (32–41 inches) at the shoulder, and weigh 36–70 kg (79–154 pounds), with males typically larger than females. Their coat is tan to reddish-brown on the back and sides, with white underparts, throat, and distinctive white rump patches that flare as alarm signals. The namesake horns, present in both sexes but larger in males (up to 50 cm or 20 inches), are unique: they consist of a bony core sheathed in keratin that is shed annually, unlike true antlers or horns. Females’ horns are smaller and lack the forward-facing prong. Large eyes positioned on the sides of the head provide a 320-degree field of vision, aiding in predator detection, while long legs and cushioned hooves enable high-speed endurance running. Sonoran pronghorns are slightly smaller and lighter, adapted for desert life with enhanced heat dissipation through large ears and a slender build.

Behavior

Pronghorns are diurnal and crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk to avoid midday heat in desert regions. They are highly social, forming mixed-sex herds of up to 1,000 individuals during winter migrations, but in the southwest deserts, groups are smaller (5–20) due to sparse resources. Territorial males defend harems during breeding, using scent marking from glands on the head and rump, and engage in ritualized displays like parallel walking or horn clashing. Their legendary speed—sprints up to 98 km/h (61 mph) and sustained 55 km/h (34 mph) over distances—evolved to outrun extinct predators like American cheetahs, and they can leap 6 meters (20 feet) horizontally. In the desert southwest, Sonoran pronghorns exhibit nomadic behavior, moving in response to rainfall and forage availability, and they pant or seek shade to thermoregulate in extreme heat. Communication includes visual signals like rump flashing, vocalizations such as snorts or bleats, and olfactory cues.

Food Sources

As herbivores, pronghorns are selective browsers and grazers, consuming a diverse diet of forbs (broad-leaved herbs), shrubs, grasses, and occasionally cacti, with preferences shifting seasonally. In the desert southwest, they favor drought-resistant plants like chainfruit cholla, mesquite, and palo verde for moisture, and can digest toxic species unpalatable to other ungulates due to large kidneys and specialized gut microbes. Forbs dominate in spring and summer (up to 90% of diet), while shrubs like sagebrush provide winter sustenance. They obtain most water from vegetation, drinking infrequently but traveling up to 10 km (6 miles) to water sources in arid areas. This opportunistic feeding helps them survive in low-productivity deserts, where they forage by nipping plants at ground level.

Breeding

Pronghorns are polygynous, with breeding (rut) occurring from July to October in southern populations like the Sonoran subspecies, timed to monsoon rains for optimal fawn survival. Males compete for females through displays and fights, establishing territories of 0.5–5 km² (0.2–2 sq mi). Gestation lasts 235–250 days, with females typically birthing twins (singles for first-time mothers) in secluded spots, hiding fawns in vegetation for the first few weeks. Fawns are precocial, standing within hours and running soon after, weaned by 4–5 months, and reaching sexual maturity at 15–16 months. In the desert southwest, breeding success is tied to rainfall; drought can lead to high fawn mortality from predation by coyotes or bobcats. Lifespan in the wild averages 10–15 years.

Habitat and Range

Pronghorns thrive in open, arid to semi-arid habitats with low vegetation for visibility, including grasslands, shrublands, and deserts at elevations from sea level to 3,300 meters (10,800 feet). In the desert southwest, the Sonoran pronghorn inhabits broad alluvial valleys, bajadas, and dry plains of the Sonoran Desert, separated by granite mountains, with sparse creosote bush, saguaro cacti, and ocotillo. Their range spans southwestern Arizona (e.g., Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge) and northwestern Sonora, Mexico, with a small population in California potentially extinct. Overall, pronghorns occur from southern Canada to northern Mexico, but in the U.S. southwest, they are found in Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Utah, and parts of California and Texas. They prefer gentle, rolling terrain for spotting predators from afar and avoid dense forests or steep mountains. Human developments like fences and roads fragment habitats, posing threats to migration and genetic diversity in desert populations.

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Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family:Antilocapridae
Subfamily:Antilocaprinae
Tribe:Antilocaprini
Genus:Antilocapra
Ord, 1818
Species:A. americana[

Black Tailed Jackrabbit ( Lepus californicus )

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The Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), a swift and adaptable lagomorph of the American West, is often mistaken for a rabbit but is technically a hare, known for its enormous ears, powerful hind legs, and distinctive black-tipped tail. This species thrives in open, arid environments, where its speed—reaching up to 40 mph (64 km/h)—and evasive maneuvers make it a master of survival against predators like coyotes and eagles. With a mottled gray-brown coat providing camouflage against dusty landscapes, the black-tailed jackrabbit plays a key role in ecosystems as both prey and herbivore, influencing vegetation dynamics across its range.

Black Tailed Jackrabbit enjoying the shade of a Joshua Tree
Black Tailed Jackrabbit enjoying the shade of a Joshua Tree.

Classification

The Black-tailed Jackrabbit is classified within the kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Lagomorpha, family Leporidae, and genus Lepus. Its scientific name, Lepus californicus, reflects its association with California, though its range extends far beyond. It is one of several North American hares, distinguished from true rabbits by its larger size, longer ears, and precocial young (born fully furred and mobile). Subspecies include variations adapted to different regions, such as L. c. californicus in coastal areas and L. c. deserticola in deserts. Fossil records trace its lineage to the Pleistocene, highlighting evolutionary adaptations to open habitats post-Ice Age.

Physical Description

Adult Black-tailed Jackrabbits measure 47–63 cm (18–25 inches) in body length, with ears extending 10–13 cm (4–5 inches), and weigh 1.4–3.6 kg (3–8 lbs), with males typically larger than females. Their fur is grizzled gray-brown on the upper body with white underparts, providing effective camouflage in scrubby terrain. The namesake black tail is white underneath, flashed as a warning signal during flight. Oversized ears, richly vascularized, aid in thermoregulation by dissipating heat, while large eyes positioned on the sides of the head offer nearly 360-degree vision for detecting threats. Long, powerful hind legs enable explosive leaps up to 3 meters (10 feet) high and 6 meters (20 feet) long, complemented by furred soles for traction on varied surfaces. Juveniles resemble adults but are smaller and fluffier at birth.


IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, species assessors and the authors of the spatial data.

Behavior

Black-tailed Jackrabbits are primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, active during dawn, dusk, and night to avoid midday heat and predators, though they may forage diurnally in cooler weather. They are solitary except during breeding, maintaining home ranges of 0.1–1 square km (25–250 acres) that overlap with others. When threatened, they rely on speed and zigzag running patterns to evade pursuit, often freezing in place first to blend into surroundings before bolting. They spend much of the day in shallow depressions called “forms,” often under shrubs for shade and cover, emerging to forage. Communication is limited, involving thumping hind feet as alarm signals and scent marking with chin glands. In extreme heat, they pant and use their ears to cool blood; in cold, they huddle to conserve warmth. Populations fluctuate cyclically every 7–10 years, influenced by food availability, disease, and predation.

Food Sources

As herbivores, Black-tailed Jackrabbits have a diet dominated by grasses, forbs, and shrubs, adapting seasonally: green grasses and herbaceous plants in spring and summer, and woody twigs, bark, and dried vegetation in fall and winter. Favorites include alfalfa, clover, sagebrush, and mesquite, with agricultural crops like wheat and lettuce targeted in farmlands, sometimes making them pests. They obtain most water from food, rarely drinking, and can consume up to 1 kg (2.2 lbs) of vegetation daily. Their caecotrophic digestion—re-ingesting soft feces (cecotropes)—allows extraction of additional nutrients like proteins and vitamins from low-quality forage. This adaptation is crucial in nutrient-poor arid environments.

Breeding

Breeding in Black-tailed Jackrabbits is promiscuous and occurs year-round in southern ranges, peaking from December to September in northern areas, triggered by rainfall and food abundance. Females, or does, reach sexual maturity at 7–8 months, males slightly later. Courtship involves chasing and “boxing” displays where pairs rear up and strike with forepaws. Gestation lasts 41–47 days, with litters of 1–8 leverets (average 3–4), born in shallow forms lined with fur. Precocial young are born with open eyes, full fur, and mobility, weaning at 3–4 weeks and independent by 1–2 months. Females can produce 3–4 litters annually, leading to high reproductive rates that offset heavy predation.

Habitat and Range

Black-tailed Jackrabbits inhabit open, arid to semi-arid landscapes including desert scrub, prairies, grasslands, farmlands, dunes, and shrub-steppe, preferring areas with short vegetation and minimal dense understory for easy escape routes. They avoid closed-canopy forests and high elevations above 3,000 meters (9,800 feet). Their range spans the western United States from central Washington eastward to Missouri, southward through the Great Plains and Southwest to Baja California Sur and Zacatecas in Mexico, with introductions in some eastern states. Populations are non-migratory but may shift locally with food availability. Human activities, like agriculture, have expanded suitable habitats, though habitat loss and fragmentation pose threats in some areas.

Classification

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Lagomorpha
Family:Leporidae
Genus:Lepus
Species:L. californicus

Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea)

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Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in Big Bear, California
Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) in Big Bear, California

The Snow plant (Sarcodes sanguinea) is a rather rare and unique member of the plant community. The scientific name roughly translates to “the bloody flesh-like thing” and named by John Torrey, who was a 19th century botanist. The name is easily understood when walking through a snowy section of mountains and you happen across a bright red plant.

This solitary little plant is completely red is color due to its complete lack of chlorophyll. Unable to photosynthesize, this plant derives its nutrition from a mutual-ism between the plant and a fungus. The snow plant provides fixed carbon to the fungus, and in return, the plant leaches sugars from the fungus.

The red flowered plant typically appears just before the last of the snows of winter. The above ground stalk typically does not exceed 12 inches in height. The plant is typically founded in the conifer forests of California, Oregon and parts of western Nevada. The plants are essentially parasites to the conifers and as such, typically found close to them.

The flowers of the snow plant are typically tightly packed around the singular stalk and evenly spaced. The plant is typically bright red in color and the fruit is pinkish red.

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