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  Hike Camelback

Camelback Mountain Wildlife

HIKE CAMELBACK SUPPORTS HIKING SEASON OCTOBER - APRIL. IF YOU CHOOSE TO HIKE IN ARIZONA'S SUMMER MONTHS, PACK PLENTY OF WATER, HIKE EARLY IN THE AM AND IN THE EVENING BEFORE SUNSET. AVOID MID-DAY HOURS. TAKE BREAKS. HIKE SMART.
​
Barrel Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The
Wildlife
of
​Camelback Mountain

Geological shifting and years of recreational use have left the mountain mostly free of large wild animals and well saturated by many desert native species.  Check it out!

If you have pictures of wildlife from your hikes or store great details about certain plants/animals in your memory, we'd love to feature you and your tales on the site! Email us [email protected], subject: WILDLIFE
Prickly Pear Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Rattlesnake, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Rattlesnake

The Rattlesnake is not an ideal animal to encounter on the mountain. They most commonly come out in the hottest months and during darker times of the day and night. 

If you come across a rattler, stay calm until it slithers away. Always look where you are placing your hands and feet as these guys like to peak out of rocks. If you don't have headphones in, you'll be able to hear their signature rattling tail as a warning. 
Rattlesnake, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Killer Bee

The killer bee is one from which to be on the move! Mass colonies have migrated north from South America into Arizona, seeking shelter in shaded areas (like mountain cliffs) for hives and dwelling. 

Bees are worse during spring and summer, so beware!
Killer Bee, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Killer Bee, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Killer Bee, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Saguaro Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Saguaro Cactus

​The Saguaro Cactus is native to the Sonoran Desert. The saguaro blossom is the state wildflower of Arizona.  
Saguaro Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Saguaro Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Palo Verde

Palo Verde means green stick in Spanish, which is precisely the description of its branches, which perform photosynthesis without leaves.
Palo Verde, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Cottontail Rabbit, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The  Cottontail Rabbit

The Cottontail Rabbit gets its name from its stub tail with white undersides, looking like a cottontail as it retreats and scurries across the path.

The Mesquite

Mesquite qualifies several species of small trees, all of which are native to the southwest United State and Mexico. Years ago, Spaniards used Mesquite lumber to build ships. Today, it is still a coveted and expensive source of lumber.
Mesquite, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Turkey Vulture, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Turkey Vulture, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Turkey Vulture

​The Turkey Vulture is one of the most common vultures, known commonly as a buzzard. It has keen eyesight and sense of smell, often flying low to the mountain in search of gases excreted by decaying animals. They do not flap often in flight and lack the common vocal organ of most birds.
Turkey Vulture, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Turkey Vulture, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Antelope Squirrel

The Antelope Squirrel (or Harris's Ground Squirrel) is native to Arizona, New Mexico and Sonora, Mexico. It has adapted to the extreme high temperatures by heat dumping from its body.
Antelope Squirrel, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Antelope Squirrel, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Prickly Pear, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Prickly Pear, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Prickly Pear, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Prickly Pear

The Prickly Pear is beautiful genus of cacti. It grows with rounded cladodes that look like 2D pears. The Prickly Pear (formally known as the Opuntia) has two types of spines (prickly thorn things). One type is long and smooth and fixed. The other type is called glochids. They're tiny hairlike prickles that will jump out and onto your clothes or into your skin if you get too close! So keep a little distance.

The Barrel Cactus

The Barrel Cacti are native to the southwestern deserts in North America. Believe it or not, people travel from all over the world to see this interesting species. The Barrel range in size from one foot to three foot, and in some regions (like here!) reach up to ten feet! 

The aged Barrel Cactus will spawn flowers. Native American used to collect these flowers in cases of extreme droughts. 

Don't be fooled by the Barrel's aesthetic draw and tophat of flowers. It is one of more dangerous cacti to encounter. It's spines are extremely sharp and tough and can puncture the skin deeply. Be sure to seek medical consultation should you get into a rumble of sorts with a Barrel.
Barrel Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Barrel Cactus, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Jumping Cholla, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Jumping Cholla, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona

The Jumping Cholla

The Jumping Cholla is native to southwestern USA and to Sonora. Its population is most dense in Sonora, but we see it sporadically here in Arizona. The Jumping Cholla got its unforgettable name from the plant's signature "jump" upon the lightest touch. 

The Jumping Cholla produces juicy fruit on which animals in the desert rely for food and water. 


Jumping Cholla, Camelback Mountain Wildlife, Arizona
Have more amazing photos you'd like to see featured on this page? We'd love to feature them! Email [email protected] with your photos and contact information. Thank you!

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© COPYRIGHT 2015 HIKE CAMELBACK LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Photos used under Creative Commons from cogdogblog, orse, bamyers4az, nnettsplace, thomasjuby, J Pod, gailhampshire, Paul and Jill, NiePhotography, OrganPipeNPS, wlcutler, Larry Smith2010, Starr Environmental, nomis-simon, Lip Kee, cricketsblog, goingslo, kuhnmi, kuhnmi, markbyzewski, John Tann, SonoranDesertNPS, A Train, desertdutchman, kumsval, tracie7779, Hans J E
  • Hike Camelback
    • About
    • Contact
  • Trailheads
    • Camelback Mountain Parking
    • Phoenix Metropolitan Area Hikes
    • Arizona Hiking Safety Tips
    • Camelback Mountain Wildlife
  • Neighborhood
  • Community
    • Submit Hiking Time
    • Submit a Shoutout
    • Shoutouts Archive
  • History
    • Camelback Mountain News and Updates
    • Camelback Mountain Plans and Renovations
  • Tales