U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Desert mammals have adapted their lives to the extreme temperature and low humidity of their environment. Water conservation is an absolute necessity in their activities. The majority of mammals living in the desert are nocturnal, foraging only at night when the relative humidity is higher and moisture loss from their bodies is kept to a minimum. Most of the desert mammals, especially the smaller ones, have adapted to survive with little water and receive needed moisture from plant material. During hot summer days, bighorn sheep lay in the shade of mountain caves. Large eared mule deer forage along desert washes at night and rest during midday in the shade of desert trees and overhanging banks.

Bats, the only true flying mammals, find caves, crevices, and mine tunnels ideal places to gather during the day. Most bats in this area are nocturnal and are rarely seen in the daylight. In the dim, flickering light of the campfire, bats may be seen flying through the night air catching their meal of insects.

[Bats] [Rabbits and Hares] [Squirrels, Gophers, Mice, and Rats]

Reference for the following mammal list is Banks et al. 1987.

Bats

Rabbits and Hares

Squirrels, Gophers, Mice, and Rats