Arizona’s Petrified Forest National Park isn’t just about ancient trees turned to stone. This high desert landscape is home to an incredible variety of wildlife. These animals have adapted to survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth, making them truly remarkable creatures worth getting to know.
Wildlife viewing requires caution and respect. Always observe animals from a safe distance and never attempt to feed or approach them.
1. Coyotes
Often heard howling at dusk, coyotes are among the park’s most vocal residents. Their haunting calls echo across the painted desert as they communicate with pack members.
These clever canines hunt everything from rabbits to insects, adapting their diet to whatever the desert provides. Spotting one requires patience, as they’re most active during early morning and evening hours when temperatures drop.
2. Pronghorn Antelope
North America’s fastest land mammal calls this park home, reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour. Their incredible eyesight lets them spot predators from miles away across the open plains.
Unlike true antelope, pronghorns shed their horn sheaths annually, making them unique among horned animals. Watch for small herds grazing peacefully in the park’s grassland areas throughout the day.
3. Bobcats
Secretive and solitary, bobcats are the park’s elusive feline hunters. Their spotted coats provide perfect camouflage among the colourful rocks and sparse vegetation.
These medium sized cats hunt primarily at night, stalking rabbits and rodents with incredible stealth. Most visitors never see one, but their tracks in sandy areas prove they’re always nearby, watching from hidden spots.
4. Jackrabbits
Those aren’t actually rabbits at all but hares, with longer legs and bigger ears than their bunny cousins. Their oversized ears work like natural air conditioners, releasing body heat during scorching desert days.
Capable of leaping 20 feet in a single bound, jackrabbits zigzag wildly when escaping predators. Look for them munching on grasses and shrubs during cooler morning hours.
5. Rock Squirrels
Chattering noisily from rocky outcrops, these bushy tailed rodents are the park’s most commonly seen mammals. They’re surprisingly bold, often approaching parking areas and picnic spots looking for dropped snacks.
Despite their cute appearance, rock squirrels can bite if fed or cornered, so admire them from a distance. They hibernate during winter months, emerging in spring to raise their young.
6. Ravens
Intelligent and playful, ravens are among the smartest birds on the planet. Watch them perform aerial acrobatics, tumbling and diving through the sky just for fun.
These glossy black birds mate for life and can live over 20 years in the wild. Their deep croaking calls differ noticeably from the higher pitched caws of crows, making identification easier for birdwatchers.
7. Golden Eagles
Soaring effortlessly on thermal currents, golden eagles rule the skies above the painted desert. Their wingspan can reach seven feet, making them impossible to miss when gliding overhead.
These powerful raptors hunt rabbits and prairie dogs, diving at speeds exceeding 150 miles per hour. Spotting one requires looking up frequently, especially during midday when warm air creates the updrafts they love.
8. Western Meadowlarks
Their cheerful, flute like songs brighten the desert morning like natural alarm clocks. The bright yellow chest with its distinctive black V makes meadowlarks easy to identify when perched on fence posts.
These ground nesting birds feast on insects and seeds found in the park’s grasslands. Listen for their melodious warbling throughout spring and summer when they’re actively defending territories and raising chicks.
9. Roadrunners
Forget the cartoon version; real roadrunners are even cooler than their animated counterpart. These speedy birds prefer running to flying, reaching speeds of 20 miles per hour on foot.
Roadrunners eat rattlesnakes, lizards, and scorpions, grabbing prey with lightning quick reflexes. Their distinctive footprints show two toes pointing forward and two backward, creating an X pattern in sandy soil.
10. Collared Lizards
Sporting brilliant colours and bold black neck bands, male collared lizards look like tiny dinosaurs. They’re nicknamed mountain boomers, though they don’t actually make booming sounds.
These agile reptiles run on their hind legs when chasing prey or escaping danger, resembling miniature velociraptors. Basking on sun warmed rocks during morning hours, they’re easiest to spot before midday heat arrives.
11. Gopher Snakes
Harmless but convincing mimics, gopher snakes pretend to be rattlesnakes when threatened. They flatten their heads, hiss loudly, and vibrate their tails against dry leaves, creating a rattling sound.
These beneficial reptiles control rodent populations by swallowing prey whole after constricting it. Reaching lengths of six feet, they’re among the park’s largest snakes but pose zero danger to humans.
