Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve

What’s that tall cactus with all the arms? That’s just one of the questions sparked by the lush landscape of Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. This 30,580-acre sanctuary is home to thousands of species of cacti, plants and animals. Here's a quick guide to some of the desert residents you’ll see as you explore the Preserve’s 225+ miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails.

flora

GIANT SAGUARO Saguaros are the largest cacti in the United States and can grow to 50 feet in height.

PRICKLY PEAR The bright pink juice from prickly pear fruit is used in drinks, syrups, jellies and candy.

TEDDY BEAR CHOLLA This fuzzy cholla’s nasty, barbed thorns earned it the nickname “Velcro of the desert.”

OCOTILLO The whip-like branches of the ocotillo sport fiery red blossoms in the springtime.

BARREL CACTUS Also called the “compass cactus,” barrel cacti tend to grow leaning toward the south.

CREOSOTE These common evergreen shrubs give off a fresh, unmistakable fragrance following a rain.

PALO VERDE TREE Palo verde trees are known for their vivid green branches and bright yellow blossoms.

fauna

GAMBEL’S QUAIL Gregarious birds, quail spend most of their time scurrying along the ground in search of food.

CACTUS WREN Feisty cactus wrens are strikingly spotted and typically nest in saguaros, cholla and palo verde trees.

ROADRUNNER True to their name, roadrunners can reach ground speeds of up to 15 miles per hour.

JACKRABBIT Huge ears, long hind legs and large feet are the hallmarks of the desert jackrabbit.

JAVELINA Resembling small boars, javelina can weigh up to 55 pounds and live in small herds of two to 20 animals.

COYOTE Typically heard at sunrise and sunset, the coyote’s howl is the signature sound of the Southwest.

RATTLESNAKE These venomous snakes are known for their diamond pattern and the warning buzz of their tail rattle.