Despite the harsh climate many
animals make their home in Death Valley. According to the Park
Service's visitor guide, "Death Valley is home to 51 species of native
mammals, 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of
amphibians, and six species of fish." Lizards or ravens are
fairly easy to spot. One may catch a quick glimpse of
an owl, fox or rabbit. At night one frequently hears
coyotes. Sometimes there
are just tracks in the sand or snow to indicate where an animal has
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Twin ant hills; the harvester
ants were busy at work.
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Flies on algae.
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Salt Creek Pupfish (Cyprinodon
salinus), about 1 1/2 inches long, dart around in the shallow creek and
(below) congregate under a walkway. Salt Creek is more salty than
ocean water.
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Lizard in rocky and salty
terrain.
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Coyote.
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Snake track in the Mesquite
Dunes.
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Bird prints.
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Tracks in the snow near the
Beehive Kilns in the Panamint Range.
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