WONDERS OF THE SOUTHWEST
PLANTS & WILDLIFE IN GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
AN
ECOSYSTEM TEEMING WITH LIFE One of the planet’s 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 We’ll take a look at some of the fascinating plants and animals that call this area home.
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.
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 plant’s 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.
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.
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: Doublelayered skulls allow male bighorns to take blows to the head of 400 pounds per square inch.
DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP (OVIS CANADENSIS NELSONI)
Ocotillo is a distinctivelooking 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.
DESERT OCOTILLO (F. SPLENDENS)
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.
MOUNTAIN QUAIL (OREORTYX PICTUS) Mountain quail are large groundnesting 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.
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.
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 (888) 635-7272.