DESERT DANGERS

The Sonoran Desert has more varieties of animal life than any other desert on earth.  You should seek to understand and respect all of these creatures, and sometimes this includes giving them a wide berth or practicing a little common sense so they do not injure you or your pets.  Although fatalities among humans due to snake bites and other exposures are very low, pets may not be so fortunate.  Here are some tips on how to keep your cat and dog safe:

·        LEAVE WILD ANIMALS ALONE. This may be obvious advice to most people, but pets, especially dogs, may not see it this way.  Be conscious of the hours when snakes and other dangerous animals may be active; and never allow your dog to run free in the desert!

·        KEEP YOU PETS INDOORS AT NIGHT.  Many dangerous creatures, especially coyotes, are nocturnal and will actively seek out dogs and cats as food sources.

·        MAKE YOUR HOME AND YARD UNINVITING TO DANGEROUS ANIMALS by destroying webs, providing adequate fencing, having regular inspections by pest control companies, securing trash can lids, limiting the availability of nooks and crannies that are common in woodpiles, etc.

·        SONORAN DESERT TOADS (a.k.a. Colorado River Toads):  These amphibians can present a real threat to dogs because of their poisonous skin.  If swallowed, the result may be fatal.  The toad evades drought by remaining underground and resurfacing briefly during monsoon season (July to September).  Dogs should not wander in toad-inhabited areas such as riverbeds.
                           
                                        Photo by Jerry Schudda

·        BLACK WIDOW/BROWN RECLUSE SPIDERS:  Of these two spiders, the Brown Recluse poses a greater threat to dogs and cats.  The tissue around the bitten area will die and rot, causing a serious infection.  The Black Widow is more common but less dangerous.  It will usually build its messy web in dark, cool areas.  Both spiders are easily avoided by checking regularly for and destroying any webs.
                           
                                        Photo by Jerry Schudda

·        COYOTES, COUGARS AND LARGE PREDATORS:  Many of the desert´s large predators are intelligent and wily.  Some, like coyotes, will often wander far into the city along washes and alleys in search of food.  These predators are usually more than a fair match for the average dog or cat and account for many pet "disappearances."  Because most desert predators are nocturnal, dogs and cats should always be brought inside during the twilight and nighttime hours.  Indoor-only pets are always safer than those animals allowed to roam!

·        VENOMOUS SNAKES:  Dogs are particularly prone to finding and antagonizing rattlesnakes.  Usually the result is a bite to the nose or muzzle area.  Rattlesnake fangs are hollow and capable of pumping out large amounts of venom in the manner of a hypodermic needle.  A tetanus infection may also result.  Rattlesnakes do not attack dogs, but they will defend themselves.  Rattlesnakes are most likely encountered during the morning and late afternoon hours.  Coal Snakes are easily identified by the colorful bands of black, yellow and red which encircle their bodies.  Because their mouths are small and their fangs immobile, it is unlikely they will be able to successfully bite a pet.  Regardless, immediate veterinary help should be sought.  Remember, some rattlesnakes are protected species!
                          
                                         Photo by Jerry Schudda

·        PREDATORY BIRDS:  Meat-eating birds like hawks and owls can pose a real threat to house cats and small dogs who are allowed to roam outside.  Many of these powerful birds are capable of swooping down and carrying away small housepets.
                                 
                                                Photo by Jerry Schudda

·        GILA MONSTERS:  This reptile and its relative, the Mexican beaded lizard, are the only known venomous lizards in the world.  Gila Monsters are exceptionally rare, spending the majority of the year underground.  When they do emerge to hunt or mate, they can be an irresistible temptation for dogs.  The Gila Monster has a locking jaw which can allow them to hold onto a victim while pumping in venom.  Gila Monsters are a protected species under state law.

·        SCORPIONS/CENTIPEDES:  These venomous creatures will emerge at night from beneath rocks, woodpiles or other sheltered areas to hunt insects.  As with almost all the animals listed here, scorpions and centipedes would prefer to flee rather than fight.

 
Photos by Jerry Schudda

·        AFRICANIZED "KILLER" BEES:  There have been several incidents of dogs being killed by theses insects since they arrived in Arizona in the early 1990´s.  Although they are no more venomous than native bee varieties, they are easily angered and will attack en masse.  If your home is infested, call a professional exterminator immediately.