San Pedro Riparian Area

Supports a cottonwood-willow forest

Excellent protection Roosting sites Microhabitats for terrestrial animals ‘Snags’; protection for water

dwelling species

Produces protective corridors Used by foraging animals Used by migrating species

Home to more species of mammals (78), than any other place in the United States

Beavers (Castor canadensis)

Largest rodents in the United States 25-36 inches long Average weight is in the 30’s, some

weigh up to 60lbs. Have a large, flat, scaly tail

Live in small colonies Parents, yearlings, recent offspring Build dams and lodges together Some live under the banks or rivers

“The Beaver River” Malaria Scare in the early 1900’s Reintroduction in 1940’s and 1999 Healthier willow-cottonwood forest

Coatimundi (Nasua nasua)

San Pedro river marks its Northern Border

Belong to the family Procyonidae (same as raccoons)

Coati are constantly foraging for food!

Body features suit its lifestyle Elongated snoot with “rooting pad” Dexterous hands Longer rear legs Long claws and impressive canines

Mountain Lion(Felis concolor)

Very efficient predators Main source of food is deer One to two deer per week

Involved in some controversy Cattle ranchers Humans ex: Sabino Canyon

Very susceptible to habitat loss Elusive creatures Highly territorial

Mule Deer(Odocoileus hemionus crooki)

Their name comes from the elongated ears

Large species of desert deer Average buck weighs 150lbs. Have very large antlers

Browsers not grazers Prefer to eat leaves of trees and

shrubs Browse only on small amounts from

each plant Southwest pop. decline since 1960’s

Loss of habitat Degradation of habitat from cattle