City folks have to travel to zoos to see nature’s animals. Out on the road again here in Mohave County, we have our own open, 24/7, natural zoo without the cages, glass panes or moats.
Open Range Cattle
First, AZ has open range laws (Title 3, Article 8) unless a city or town has issued an ordinance that is allowed to supersede the state law.
Ranchers rent land from the government to allow their cattle to graze. However, cattle do not stay in one section, but meander throughout the area.
What this means is cattle can cross paved and dirt roads in their foraging efforts. In the spring when calves are born, drivers must be careful as calves are full of energy and are quick to run out onto the roads.
Believe it or not, AZ does have a statue for a legal fence. This statue defines what is a legal fence and provides an opportunity for property owners to claim damages if cattle break through a legal fence.
Wild Burros and Horses
The wild burros here in Mohave County I am told come from the miners who use the burros as beasts of burden. The mining town of Oatman has numerous burros that walk on the sidewalks, in the street and even will attempt to enter the shops. Actually the Mayor of Oatman is a burro. These burros have no fear coming up to vehicles looking for handouts. This burro wandered up to my truck as I was on the road again just outside of Oatman, AZ. And there are also wild horses that sometimes appear.
Coyotes
Another four-legged creature is the coyote. One can hear its lonely howl especially during a full moon. Often a chorus of yips can be heard and sometimes indicates a kill has been made.
Property owners with dogs and cats must be careful because coyotes have been know to hunt in a pack. Then there are those folks who have chickens that are a favorite of coyotes.
Mountain Lions and Bobcats
A couple of years ago, our larger dog, Fritz the Third, chased a Bobcat into one of the trees. The Bobcat jumped out and outran Fritz. Then the first or second year living here a Mountain Lion walked the north fence line. Again, Fritz the Third was out and this big cat just ignored him.
Deer, Elk, Antelope and Big Horn Sheep
Depending upon where one travels in Mohave County, one can see larger 4 legged animals such as deer, elk and antelope. In the winter months, sometimes big horn sheep can be seen traversing the Black Mountains. The Lodge located in the Hualapai Mountains is a great place to view deer and elk.
Badgers, Opossums and Skunks
Yes, there are Badgers here in Mohave County as well as Skunks. When I was on the road again, I saw a young badger cross the dirt road less than a half mile from my house. Badgers are mean critters and demand lots of respect. As to skunks and opossums, I have smelled the scents of dead skunks and have seen dead opossums along side of the road.
Fowl
Remember the cartoon Wylie Coyote and the Road Runner? Out here there are numerous Road Runners. These birds are quite territorial and do attach venomous snakes and rodents. I photographed this one in a tree just outside of our great room.
The desert is also known for Vultures and out here we have many Turkey Vultures. The good news is between all of these creatures, road kill does not last long out here.
Birds of prey such as Hawks and Eagles can be observed as well. Then add in the wise birds, AKA as owls along with the Cactus Wrens to Humming birds and our area is an open aviary.
Additionally I have seen sea gulls that must be from the Colorado River and smaller lakes. Seeing these birds did take me by surprise.
Reptiles
Sometimes one is lucky to see a Desert Tortoise. Last year we had two in our yard. We relocated them outside of our fences and in the direction that they were slowly walking.
Lizards abound from large ones such as the Gila Monster to the much smaller ones. Gila Monsters are venomous and should be avoided. The state of AZ in 1952 issued legal protection to Gila Monsters and it was the first state to grant legal protection to a venomous animal.
Snakes are always around from good ones like King Snakes to not so good ones like the Mohave Green. One must always be careful when walking, especially when walking vacant land parcels.
Rodents
As in most states and countries, rodents do exist here in Mohave County. We have “Pack Rats,” “Kangaroo Rats,” and the usual assortment of mice.
Yes Mohave County is an open 24/7 zoo, all is required observing eyes, patience and very careful driving when on the road again.
P.S. Please consider checking out my Facebook business page, The Grit and Gratitude Agent that will focus on the Dirt Roads in Mohave County as well local real estate, lots of dirt or vacant land parcels as some of the local attractions
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Leanne M Smith, The Grit and Gratitude Agent Who Goes the Extra Mile Because Life Begins Where the Pavement Ends.
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