Located in the Northern Mojave Desert and bordering the Great Basin Desert, Death Valley is a desert known for its sweltering heat. The weather there is so hot in the summer that it is believed to be the hottest place on Earth.
According to statistics, the temperatures in Death Valley can soar to about 57 degrees Celsius (134 degrees Fahrenheit). With less than two inches of rainfall throughout the year, it’s hard to imagine that this desert can sustain any form of life – yet it does! Here, we explore some of the resilient animals living in Death Valley.
Desert Bighorn Sheep
Native to the deserts of the United States, the desert bighorn sheep are one of the few creatures that can survive in Death Valley. Being a subspecies of the bighorn sheep, the desert bighorn sheep have almost the same characteristics as the other members of the species.
The only telling difference is that the desert bighorn sheep can go for extended periods without water. Their hooves are also designed for climbing steep and rocky terrains. These features make them perfectly adapted to the extreme Death Valley environmental conditions.
Fun fact: the desert bighorn sheep is Nevada’s state animal. It also serves as Universidad Autonoma de Baja California’s mascot.
Red-tailed Hawks
Colloquially known as the “chickenhawk” in the United States, the red-tailed hawk is among North America’s most famous birds of prey. The bird’s most prominent trait is its ability to acclimatize with nearly all the biomes, including the desert. Red-tailed hawks have often been spotted in Death Valley National Park.
Wild Donkeys
As its name suggests, the wild donkey is a wild horse family member. Thanks to their tremendous physical similarities, it is believed to be an ancestor of the domestic donkey. Wild donkeys are well-adapted to living in deserts and other arid areas. While they have been spotted in the past in regions including Death Valley, there are only about 570 wild donkeys in the wild today.
Coyotes
Native to North America, coyotes are perhaps the least surprising animal on this list; they can survive pretty much anywhere. To further put this into context, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists coyotes as the least concern.
Unsurprisingly, coyotes feed on a wide range of produce. They include peaches, prickly pears, peanuts, strawberries, blueberries, and others along those lines. Coyotes in Death Valley rely on hawkmoth caterpillars and beetles, which are available during the flowering spring months. They consume food in significant quantities in preparation for the more challenging times to come.
Chuckwallas
Naturally, chuckwallas prefer lava flows and rocky areas, which are abundant in Death Valley. Recognized by their stocky, wide bodies and flattened midsections, these lizards are among the few animals that can comfortably survive in Death Valley. Being diurnal and thus ectothermic, chuckwallas spend most of their mornings and winters basking in the sun.
Roadrunners
They are called roadrunners because, even though they can fly, these birds prefer running away from predators. More intriguingly, roadrunners are pretty fast runners; they can achieve top speeds of up to 32 km/h (20 mph). The birds are found mostly in the south-central United States but have been spotted in Death Valley several times.
Desert Rosy Boa and Sidewinder Rattlesnakes
While boa snakes are not usually native to North America, the desert rosy boa is among the few that fits this description. It is perfectly adapted for arid areas, usually occupying California’s Sonoran and Death Valley deserts.
Sidewinder rattlesnakes can also be found in Death Valley. Unlike the desert rosy boa, sidewinders are venomous and aggressive. They are sometimes called horned rattlesnakes, Mojave Desert sidewinder, or sidewinder rattler.
Death Valley Pupfish
Classified as endangered by IUCN, the Death Valley pupfish joins the small list of animals living in Death Valley. They can be found about 50 meters (163 feet) below sea level at Salt Creek in Death Valley.
Kangaroo Rats
Kangaroo rats have physical features that allow them to survive in arid and semiarid areas such as Death Valley. They prefer areas with soft sands as they are burrowers. The nocturnal rodents are native to the desert areas of North America. Kangaroo rats get their name from the fact that they hop similarly to the larger, famous Australian kangaroos.
How Animals Living in Death Valley Survive
The extreme temperatures and lack of water in Death Valley make it difficult for most forms of life to survive. As such, animals living in Death Valley have adapted by learning how to conserve water, adopting nocturnal habits, and having suitable physical adaptations.
Most animals living in Death Valley do not take water. Instead, they rely on the moisture from their food for hydration. They also have hooves and scales for easy navigation and heat resistance.
The Key Takeaway
At first glance, you will be forgiven for thinking that Death Valley is barren. However, despite the sweltering heat and lack of water, the region is home to numerous animals. The desert bighorn sheep is one perfect example.
