Wildlife

As you travel through our community, you will see a number of native desert animals. Our goal is to live harmoniously with the native wildlife. Below is a brief summary of the animals that share our space:

Mammals

Throughout the year, you will probably encounter most of these native animals, including mule deer, desert cottontails, jackrabbits, ground squirrels, bobcats, javelina, coyotes and even a few mountain lions. The precautions are the same for all of them: • Never feed them. • Keep your distance. When you see them leave them alone. Many of these animals are protected by state law. • If you see them on the street, please slow down and avoid hitting them or running them over. • Protect your pets at all times from the predators.

Coyotes, javelina, bobcats and mountain lions have all been known to kill dogs and cats.

Reptiles

In addition to the animals listed above, we also have a number of reptiles living among us. Most of the reptiles are harmless, but rattlesnakes, coral snakes and Gila monsters are venomous and very dangerous. If you see one of them on your property, please call Security at 480-635-5630, as they are trained to remove them safely. Never approach a venomous reptile, but keep an eye on them from a distance so you can tell the Officer where they are when they arrive at your home.

Some other snakes that live in the desert are king snakes, gopher snakes and bull snakes. The job that Mother Nature has assigned to these snakes is to keep the rodent population under control. Because it may be hard to tell a venomous snake from a non-venomous snake, please call Security if you see a snake and want it removed. If you do see a snake, just leave it alone. Don’t take pictures, don’t agitate it, keep your pets away from it, and please don’t kill it. When it’s dark, use a flashlight so you can see where you’re walking. If you are bitten by a venomous snake or Gila monster: • Remain as calm as possible • Remove all jewelry so the swelling doesn’t constrict your fingers or wrists • Stay still and keep your injured extremity below your heart • Go to an emergency room or urgent care facility immediately • DO NOT apply ice • DO NOT cut your skin • DO NOT use a tourniquet • DO NOT administer alcohol or drugs

If your pet is bitten by a venomous snake or a desert toad, take them to a veterinarian immediately.

There are also a lot of harmless lizards that are native to the Sonoran Desert, including geckos, collared lizards, western whiptails, spiny lizards, chuckwallas and horned lizards. These reptiles keep insects under control, so if you see them in your yard, just leave them alone and let them do their job.

Birds

If you’re a bird watcher, you have come to the right place. In our skies and in our yards you will see a variety of native birds, including hawks, falcons, owls, ravens, roadrunners, quail, hummingbirds, woodpeckers and all kinds of the more common birds. We discourage you from feeding the birds, as bird feeders can also attract predators who are looking for an easy meal.

Scorpions

There are three species of scorpions that live in the Sonoran Desert—the bark scorpion, the striped tail scorpion and the desert hairy scorpion. They usually come out at night, and they use their venomous sting primarily to kill the insects, and they also use their stingers to defend themselves. Please be aware that scorpions may be under a rock, a pot or in yard debris—you may also find them in your home. Never put your hands on something that you haven’t inspected first, and don’t walk barefoot. If you do get stung by a scorpion, we recommend that you get medical attention as soon as possible.

If you do have scorpions on your property, please consult a professional pesticide company. ✺