Mammals

Colorado Life Zones: Seasons, Plants, & Animals
Step 1: Choose One of the Life Zones or Choices Below

Semidesert Shrublands Life Zone: Seasons, Plants, & Animals

Step 2: Choose a Topic from the Semidesert Shrublands Life Zone & Scroll Down

General Information

Through the Seasons

Canyonlands and Shrublands

Awesome Adaptations

Plants and Trees

Semidesert Shrublands Mammals

Mammals

Birds

Reptiles & Amphibians

Mammals of the Semidesert Shrublands Life Zone
In order to survive the hot dry summers, animals have adapted by only coming out in the early morning, late afternoon, or night to find food and hunt. During the hottest part of the day, most animals need to rest and to hide under rocks or underground burrows OR in the shade of the desert canyons. Some animals, like the coyote and ringtail cat, are nocturnal (move around and hunt mostly at night). Animals need to get much of their water from the food they eat.
Mountain Lion or Cougar CO Div of Wildlife Bear Country USA Animal Files Southwest_Wildlife		Bobcat Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Hogle Zoo Animal Files
Coyote Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Animal Files Bear Country USA Southwest Wildlife		Fox CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife Animal Files Southwest_Wildlife
Ringtail Cat CO Div of Wildlife Animal Files Oregon Zoo Southwest Wildlife		Gray Fox Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Animal Files Southwest Wildlife
American Badger Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Bear Country USA Animal Files		Black-footed Ferret Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Def. or Wildlife Animal Files
Western Spotted Skunk CO Div of Wildlife Hogle Zoo Blue Planet Biome Animal Files		White-tailed Prairie Dog US Fish & Wildlife Gunnison's Prairie Dog CO Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS
Desert Cottontail Rabbit Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife Hogle Zoo Animal Files		Black-tailed Jackrabbit Nature Works White-tailed Jackrabbit CO Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS
White-tailed Antelope Squirrel Wyoming Ground Squirrel CO Div of Wildlife		Mexican Woodrat or Packrat CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS
Ord's Kangaroo Rat CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife Blue Planet Biome		Harvest Mice _ Northern Grasshopper Mice _ White-footed Mice CSU NDIS
Hopi Chipmunk CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS		Desert Shrew CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS
Pocket Gophers CO Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS Utah Div of Wildlife		Brazillian Free-tailed Bat Utah Div of Wildlife & Other Bats CO Div of Wildlife CSU NDIS
Desert Bighorn Sheep Utah Div of Wildlife Hogle Zoo NPS: Canyonlands		Pronghorn Nature Works CO Div of Wildlife San Diego Zoo
Mule Deer CO Div of Wildlife Utah Div of Wildlife Animal Files
_______________		_______________

Awesome Adaptations: Ringtail Cat

One of the least known animals that lives in the southern and western Colorado is the ringtail cat. A ringtail cat is really not part of the cat family. Its closest relative in North America is the raccoon. It got its name because it is about the size of a small house cat and has a long black and white ringed bushy tail. The ringtail cat is an amazing climber. It can easily climb up steep cliffs and trees. The ringtail can can turn its back feet around 180 degrees and use its tail for balance while climbing. It mainly eats small creatures like insects, mice, packrats, rabbits, birds, lizards, and frogs. However, it can also eat fruit. If it feels in danger the ringtail can make a stinky odor to scare away predators. Ringtail cats are nocturnal, meaning they only come out at night. The ringtail's eyes are very sensitive to light and it can see very well at night. When people see this secretive nocturnal animal for the very first time, they ask themselves, "is it some wierd house cat? Is it a raccoon?" No it's the ringtail cat.

Sources of information and to find more information: CO Div of Wildlife, Southwest Wildlife, Oregon Zoo Animal Files

Shelledy Elementary

ShelledyElementary

Mammals

Shelledy Elementary

Shelledy Elementary

DISTRICT

High School

Middle School

K-12

Academic Option

Elementary

ShelledyElementary

Mammals

Shelledy Elementary