Appreciate the diversity of these creatures, they are quite adept to living through the winter as well as the hot summers. The animals here have adapted physical characteristics so they may live and thrive in such an environment. Plants, like animals have adapted to the hot Desert climate. The Cactus is a great example of how a plant will hoard water for its survival. The shallow, wide root system of the cactus enables the plant to soak up rain water more efficently and their sharp spines help the leaves to conserve water by minimizing transiration.

Hiking many of the hikes in Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon involve a change in elevation. This allows for many different microenvironments or natural life zones.

Although the Parks are in the desert the animals are diverse like the plant life. Seventy-five species of Mammals are found in Zion alone. The Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) is a common site in the park compared to the secretive and nocturnal Mountain Lion. So far humans have not been threatend by the Mountain Lion, there has never been even one reported attack in the Park. The coyote (Canis latrans) and the Gray Fox (Urocyon cineroargenteus) can be seen once in a while, while squirrels scurry all about. The Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) and the White-tailed antelope ground squirrel (Ammospermophilus leucurus) are quite common. The tiny little Least Chipmunk (Eutamias minimus) can be seen rushing about in rocky areas as well as wooded areas. Other common mammals include the Beaver (Castor canadensis), the Porcupine (Erethizion dorsatum), Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis). The black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), a Hare that can jump at 35 mph.

The long ears of the Jackrabbit help keep the animal cooler by providing a large surface area of radiating body heat. The warmed blood is circulated and cooled in the thin tissue of the ears. The smaller Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) is slower moving with a busy white tail. The Cottontail will hold very still when it feels it is in danger and then dart out looking for saftey.
 
When looking at the Mule Deer you will see the big ears, a characteristic of the animal. The antler of the mule deer branch and then branch again once more. In the winter the Mule Deer sheds it antlers and within a couple of weeks will begin to grow a new set. Deer are seen often in Zion Park feasting on the grass. The deer in the photo stood still while many people, including me, got out of their vehicles to take its picture.
 
The bighorn sheep is becoming a rarely seen animal, but is often sighted in Zion along the switchbacks. Once an abundant animal in the southwest, the species had been hunted until populations were in danger. Many of the Parks are trying to reintroduce the bighorn into the area. The male weighs in at around 300 or a little less than the Ewe. Both sexes have the characteristic curved horns on their heads.

The Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) is the most common of the Hawks in Zion and in the Rocky Mountain area. The American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) is a small and very pretty falcon. A few other interesting birds include the Western Kingbird (Tryannus verticalis), Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens), and the Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus).

Thirty-two reptiles live here, with only the Great Basin (Crotalus virdis lutosus) Rattlesnake being dangerous. When a Rattlesnake feels in danger it will vibrate its tail causing the horny segments to rub up against each other. Reptiles are ectotherms, animals who's body temperature changes with the environmental temperature and therefore must find shade during the day to keep from becoming too hot.

Lizards are often along the trails and it is of interest how different lizards will be present at certain elevatons on the same trail. Lizard will mostly likely be the most observed animal in the Parks. Commonly seen is the Eastern Fence lizard (Sceloporus undulatus elongatus), identified by the blue blotches on its belly. The Western Whiptail lizard (Cnemidophorus tigris) and the Plateau are identified by their long tails.

The Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma spp.) not as common in Zion, but ia quite interesting. The Horned Toad (not a toad of course) has a unique way of warming its body, it will flatten its body and turn perpendicular to the warmth of the sun. This creature inflates when in danger and hisses. The Horned Lizards flatten their bodies and turn perpendicular to the suns warmth and then parallel to cool down.

Some common amphibians include: The Canyon Tree Frog, a small dusky colored frog which has a beautiful bird like call that is heard in early spring. I hear them often on the Gateway to the Narrows Trail, Emerald Pools on the Hidden Canyon Trail. The great basin Spadefoot Toad (Spea intermontana) is nocturnal, displaying a greenish gray coloring. The tiny Red Spotted Toad (Bufo Punctatus) is identified by its reddish bumps on its skin. The northern Leopard frog (rana pipiens), a nocturnal frog, is identified by its back and forth movement exhibited when startled. There are also 8 species of fish in the area.

Almost eight-hundred native species of plant life are found in Zion. Plants must also adapt to the hot summers and cold winters of the Parks. The Cactus is a good example of this efficiency, hoarding water and keeping it from evaporating by a thick wax coat. The sweet prickly pear jelly, made from the flower of the Prickly Pear Cactus, is found in many shops around Zion Park. Many of the plants in the Parks have adapted by forming deep, long roots, while others are perennials.
 
The Fremont Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) lines the Virgin river of Zion. Tall trees, with roundish leaves. The evergreens, Juniper and Pine, are widespread. The Juniper has a bluish berry like fruit which takes 2 years to mature. The bark is fibrous, peeling off easily. The early settlers made use of the easily frayed material for things like diapers and bedding.

The Single-leaf Pinyon is the common Pine seen on the rocky mountain sides in Zion. Just like the wildlife the plant life changes with elevation. At about 5,000 feet the Pinions and Junipers are found, above that is the Pine and Oak, then the Fir and Aspen and at the top the Spruce and Fir are found.

Seen commonly throughout Zion is the Sacred Datura. (Datura wrightii). Datura has hallucinogenic qualities used by the ancient Indians that visited the Zion area. Never touch Datura or the Poision Ivy in the Park; some people have severe allergic reactions to them that would make for a very unpleasant experience and ruin a vacation.

Along the wetter sections of hikes the Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum pedatum & capullus) can be found. I have seen this fern in the alcove of the Canyon Overlook Trail as well as along the Gateway to the Narrows trail, just to name a couple. These are dainty fronds on a strong length of black stem.

Another delicate plants is the white Tufted Evening Primrose (Oenothera casespitosa). The flowers are large and white, opening at night. Another primrose is the pale Evening Primrose (Oenothera pallida), smaller that the evening primrose.
 
Palmer Penstemon (Penstemon palmeri) is common, the flowers are small cups colored light pink. The Utah penstemon (Penstemon utahensis) has a lobed flower tube, its flowers are red. The Indian Paintbrush (Castilleja) grows in dry areas, often seen along the road. The red bracts look like colored leaves.

 Cactus are often seen include the Prickly Pear, the Claret Cup Cactus and the Purple Torch named after its purple flowers. The fruits can be made in to jelly and used in many dishes in Mexico. The Yucca has the tall blades adapted to channeling water to its roots. Lichens are found throughout the parks, an indication of clean air, being sensitive to oxides of nitrogen and sulfur. Finding lichens in a city would be unlikely. Lichens are a combination of algal cells and fungal filaments living together in what is called a symbiotic relationship.