African mustard Malcalmia africana
Brassicaceae: Mustard family
Description: Annual; flowers in the spring Origin: Mediterranean Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Primarily in the Overton Arm area of the park Control: Mechanical (hand pull)
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American Kestrel, Falcon, Common falcon Falco Sparverius
The American Kestrel is a small common falcon that can be seen in cities as well as in open country. They have a rust colored back and tail and two dark vertical stripes on the face. Males have slate-blue wings.
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Athel Tamarix aphylla
Tamaricaceae: Tamarisk family
Description: Perennial, evergreen tree; flowers March to August Origin: Africa and the Middle East Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Developed areas and Lake Mead shorline Control: Herbicide
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Barn Owl, Common Barn Owl Tyto alba
The Barn Owl is a pale, long-winged, long-legged owl with a short squarish tail. Depending on subspecies, it measures c.25-45 cm in overall length, with a wingspan of about 75-100 cm.
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Beavertail Cactus Opuntia Basilaris
Beavertail cactus grows on sandy, gravelly, or rocky soils in or near the desert, mostly between sea level and 4,000 feet, rarely to 9,000 feet elevation. It ranges over N Sonora and S California to S Nevada, S Utah, and W Arizona
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Black-tailed Jackrabbit, Desert Hare Lepus californicus
The Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), also known as the Desert Hare, is a common hare of the western United States and Mexico, where it is found at elevations from sea level to up to 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Like other jackrabbits, the Blacktail has distinctive long ears, and the long, powerful rear legs characteristic of hares. Reaching a length of about 2 feet (61 cm), and a weight from 3 to 6 pounds (1.4 to 2.7 kg), the Black-tailed Jackrabbit is the third largest North American hare, second only to the Antelope Jackrabbit and the White-tailed Jackrabbit.
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Bobcat Lynx rufus
This animal is considered uncommon in the recreation area, but it is a very intriguing animal to study. It is larger than a domestic cat, short bodied with relatively long legs and a very short tail. The back is black and gray-brown. The sides and belly are spotted black on white. The base and tips of the ears and the tip of the tail are black. When it is approached while it is resting, it will lie motionless to escape detection, much like a rabbit does. (more)
Camelthorn Alhagi pseudalhagi
Fabaceae: Legume family
Description: Perennial; flowers June to August; magenta to pink flower color; noxious weed in Nevada and Arizona Origin: India and southwest Asia to North Africa Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Virgin River and Grand Wash Bay Control: Herbicide; because of its extensive root system. Do not hand pull
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Chuckwalla Sauromalus ater
This is the largest non-venomous lizard (only the venomous Gila monster is larger). It averages about thirteen to fourteen inches in length, with about ½ half of that length made up of its tail. The Chuckwalla is heavy bodied, somewhat flattened in appearance, and it has loose folds of skin on its neck and along its lower sides.
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Coachwhip Masticophis flagellum
Known locally as the “red racer”, the Coachwhip is one of our largest and most commonly seen snakes. This 4 to 5 foot long snake is seen frequently because it is active during the day throughout its active season. It is a tan to red-brown snake, usually with dark bars or bands on its head and neck. The Coachwhip is the fastest crawling snake in the Mojave Desert, but its forward speed is only between 3 and 4 miles-per-hour.
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Coyote, prairie wolf Canis latrans
The coyote (Canis latrans), also known as the prairie wolf, is a species of canid found throughout North and Central America, ranging from Panama in the south, north through Mexico, the United States and Canada. It occurs as far north as Alaska and all but the northernmost portions of Canada. There are currently 19 recognized subspecies, with 16 in Canada, Mexico and the United States, and 3 in Central America. Unlike its cousin the Gray Wolf, which is Eurasian in origin, the coyote evolved in North America.
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Desert Bighorn Sheep Ovis canadensis
Desert Bighorn Sheep, there is no mistaking this magnificent animal. The large curved horns and white rump patch identify the ram (male), while the ewe (female) and young have smaller, slightly curved horns. Their gray-brown color allows them to blend in with their surroundings, making them difficult to be seen.
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Desert Cottontail Sylvilagus audubonii
The cottontail is approximately 15 inches long, buff brown above and white below, and a white “cotton ball” tail. It breeds rapidly and has several litters a year, with 4-6 young in each litter. Unlike the hare, the cottontail babies are born without fur and with their eyes closed. The female cares for them in a grass-lined burrow.
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Desert Horned Lizard Phrynosoma platyrhinos
The Horned Lizard is one of the best known and most easily recognized lizards. Although the name is finally into disuse, it has been incorrectly called the “horned toad”. Our local species, the Desert Horned Lizard, is a medium sized lizard about 5 inches long, of which the tail is about 1/3 of its length. It is flattened in appearance and has a “crown” of spines or “horns” at the topmost rear edge of its head.
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Desert Iguana Dipsosaurus dorsalis
Large, common, and active during the day, the Desert Iguana is one of the more frequently seen and recognized local lizards. It may be up to fourteen inches long and 2/3 of its length is tail. The overall color of this lizard is a gray-brown, but it can vary from light to dark depending upon its internal temperature.
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Desert Tortoise Gopherus agassizii
As Nevada’s state reptile and listed as a threatened species, the Desert Tortoise has been given so much attention that a description is hardly needed. It is our only native turtle in the recreation area. The adults may live up to 50 years and are from 8 to 15 inches long. The females lay one clutch of up to 15 eggs each year. The hatchlings are approximately 1 1/2 inches long. The young are preyed upon by a variety of animals, especially the raven. Habitat: The tortoise frequents open creosote bush desert, washes, alluvial fans, and rocky slopes. Diet: The tortoise is a herbivore, feeding upon grasses and a variety of other plants, especially the flowers.
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Desert Woodrat Neotoma lepida
It’s hard to miss this rodent’s telltale sign. Look for a pile of sticks, rocks, and cactus joints around large rocks or at the base of tall shrubs! It’s unique habit of collecting things for its nest or midden gives it its nickname of “packrat”. Some nests can be very old and can contain thousand year old plant remains. Scientists have used old woodrat middens to study climate and habitat change. The woodrat has gray to brown fur, a white belly, and large ears, and it is approximately 6 inches long. The female can have 5 litters a year, with up to 5 young per litter.
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Fountain grass Pennisetum setaceum
Poaceae: Grass family
Description: Perennial; flowers July to October; noxious weed in Nevada Origin: North Africa and Middle East Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Lake Mohave shoreline Control: Mechanical (hand pull or dig up whole plant) or Herbicide. Cut off seed heads and bog.
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Gambel's Quail Callipepla gambelii
Gambel’s Quail are easily recognized both visually and by their call. These desert-dwellers are gray on their back, with a large teardrop-shaped plume on the head. Their ringing three-note call can be heard at anytime of the day. Clutch size is large, typically 10 to 20, and young birds are often seen following in line behind their parents.
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Giant Reed Arundo donax
Poaceae: Grass family
Description: Perennial; flowers in March to November; noxious weed in Nevada; roots and stem fragments can float downstream and establish a new infestation Origin: Mediterranean area Reproduction: Vegetative; no viable seeds reported in the United States Known locations at Lake mead NRA; Developed areas Control: Herbicide, because of its extensive root system. Do not hand pull
The Gila Monster is the only venomous lizard in Southern Nevada and is one of only two known venomous lizard species in the world. The Gila Monster is easily recognized and contact with them can be avoided. At 18 inches long, it is the largest lizard in the continental U.S.
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Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos
Golden Eagles are year-round residents. They are brown overall, with golden feathers over the back of the head and neck. Immature birds resemble immature bald eagles, but have well-defined white patches under the wings and a white tail with a distinct dark terminal band. Diet: Their diet consists of jackrabbits, some carrion and small mammals. Habitat: Golden Eagles prefer open mountains and hills and build their nests in trees.
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Gopher Snake Pituophis catenifer
The Gopher Snake is also known as the bullsnake or sometimes the “blow snake” because of its ability to hiss loudly when it is agitated. It is large snake, 4 to 5 feet long, and is robust in build. There is a distinct size difference between its head and neck, but not as exaggerated as in the rattlesnakes. Yellow or tan with black to dark brown blotches, it is sometimes confused with the rattlesnakes. However, it has a slender tapering tail without rattles. It can put on a good “rattler” imitation by coiling, hissing, flattening its head, and rapidly vibrating its tail. This is not all bluff since, like most wild animals, it will bite to defend itself.
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Greater Roadrunner Geococcyx californianus
The Greater Roadrunner is famous for its habit of running rapidly on the ground. The Greater Roadrunner is streaked with brown and white and has a large bushy crest, a long tail, and strong long legs. The heavy bill is well suited for capturing prey. Diet: Roadrunners eat lizards, snakes, rodents, birds, and insects. Habitat: They are found in desert scrub, arid brushy country, and nest in clumps of cactus or thickets. (more)
Ground Snake Sonora semiannulata
This is a very small, slender snake, about 8 to 12 inches long. Individuals may vary in their color and pattern. There are two common local pattern variations. One is a cream to green-tan color with a broad orange stripe down the center of its back, and the second has charcoal gray blackish saddle-like markings or bands on top of the orange stripe along the entire length of the snake. In both variations the snake’s snout and crown are charcoal gray. A cream to tan colored snake with a very small charcoal dot on each scale is a more common variation in other areas of the country. Any of these variations may be found in a single clutch of eggs.
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Kingsnake Lampropeltis getulus
This is one of the best known and most readily identified non-venomous snakes. It is a large snake, 30 to 42 inches long, and has a stout body. It is boldly patterned in black or very dark brown with white to cream colored rings along its entire length. The head width is well defined from the neck, but it is not as pronounced as in the Gopher Snake. It vibrates its tail when annoyed. It is diurnal when temperatures permit and then crepuscular or nocturnal when temperatures climb too high. Young Kingsnakes are from 8 to 13 inches long and from 2 to 24 eggs are laid.
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Kit Fox Vulpes macrotis
The Kit fox is the smallest member of the canine family in the United States. It is yellow- gray above, shading to buff along the sides. It's under parts are lighter with white under the throat. The tail is tipped with black. About the size of a domestic cat, an adult weighs approximately 5 pounds. From the tip of its nose to the end of its tail, it is only 18-20 inches long. Kit fox dens are usually found in alluvial soil and have several entrances. They have exceptionally long, pointed ears and their legs are unusually short for a fox.
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London rocket Sisymbrium irio
Brassicaceae: Mustard family
Description: Annual; flowers January to May Origin: Europe Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Disturbed areas Control: Mechanical (hand pull)
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Malta starthistle Centaurea melitensis
Asteraceae: Sunflower family
Description: Annual; flowers April to July; noxious weed in Nevada Origin: Africa and Europe Reproduction: Seeds Known location at Lake Mead NRA: Overton Wildlife Management Area and Tassi Spring Control: Mechanical (hand pull)
The Mojave Rattlesnake is a very heavy bodied snake averaging between 2 and 3 feet in length. Locally known as the “Mojave green”, it may be olive green or brown. It has well defined diamond or rhomboid blotches along its entire length. These blotches are distinctly outlined with a lighter color. Like the Diamondback, it has a ringed tail. The black rings of the Mojave Rattler are narrower than the white rings, and the white rings are usually more gray than white. Its head is distinctly wider than its neck. From 2 to 11 young are born in late summer. The young are 8 to 11 inches long when born.
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Mountain Lion Felis concolor
Mountain Lion, referred to also as the cougar, puma, and panther, the mountain lion is solitary and prefers isolated or undisturbed, game-rich wilderness. Though not commonly seen within the recreation area, evidence of the mountain lion can be found within some canyon areas. They are a uniform tawny color with white underneath, and it is of slender build with long legs, and a long tail with a dark brown tip. The mountain lion of the southwest is paler and smaller than those living in the high mountains of the north. Its den is usually any well concealed, sheltered place. Young are born usually no more than two at a time, during any month of the year.
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Oleander Nerium oleander
Apocynaceae: Dogbane family
Description: Perennial, evergreen; all parts of plant are poisonous, including smoke if burned; flowers in spring and summer Origin: Eurasia, Mediterranean region Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Developed areas, all campgrounds, and is naturalizing on Lake Mead and Mohave shoreline Control: Herbicide, do not hand pull
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Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus
The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known simply as the Peregrine, and historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America, is a cosmopolitan bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". It can reach speeds over 322 km/h (200 mph) in a dive, making it the fastest animal in the world. As is common with bird-eating raptors, the female is much bigger than the male.
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Perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium
Brassicaceae: Mustard family
Description: Perennial; flowers May to September; noxious weed in Nevada and Utah Origin: Eurasia Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Las Vegas Wash, Virgin River and Willow Beach Fish Hatchery Control: Herbicide, because of its extensive root system. Do not hand pull
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Puncture vine Tribulus terrestris
Zygophyllaceae: Caltrop family
Description: Annual; mat-forming; burs can puncture bicycle tires; flowers May to October; noxious weed in Nevada and Arizona Origin: Europe Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Disturbed areas and developed areas Control: Mechanical (hand pull)
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Ringtail Bassariscus astutus
The name Bassariscus means “little fox” and may refer to its fox-like face. The Ringtail is buff gray, with black and white bands on the tail ending in a black tip. It has relatively large ears and eyes, with white or pale eye rings, and it has five toes on each foot. It is a bit smaller than a domestic cat. Very little is known about the habits of the ringtail because of its secretive nature. Other common names are miner’s cat, civet cat, coon cat, and cacomistle.
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Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens
Asteraceae: Sunflower family
Description: Perennial; flowers May to September; noxious weed in Nevada, Arizona and Utah Origin: Europe and Asia Reproduction: Vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Overton Wildlife Management Area Control: Herbicide, because of its extensive root system. Do not hand pull.
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Russian thistle Salsola tragus
Chenopodiaceae: Goosefoot family
Description: Annual; flowers March to Apri Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Disturbed areas Control: Mechanical (hand pull)
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Sahara mustard Brassica tournefortii
Brassicaceae: Mustard Family
Description: Annual; flowers in December to April; noxious weed in Nevada; can form dense stands displacing native vegetation; leaves have bumps and irritating hairs Origin: Mediterranean area Reproduction: Seeds Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Disturbed and sandy areas Control: Mechanical (hand pull, bag any seed pods)
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Saltcedar Tamarix ramosissima
Tamaricaceae: Tamarisk family
Description: Perennial, deciduous tree; flowers April to August; noxious weed in Nevada Origin: Asia Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Lake Mead and Mohave shoreline and springs Control: Mechanical (hand pull seedlings) or Herbicide
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The common Raven Corvus corax
The Common Raven (Corvus corax) is a large, black bird with a heavy bill and a wedge-shaped tail that is commonly seen at Lake Mead. It is larger than the crows which are not found in the park. Ravens occupy a variety of habitat types. They are intelligent birds, but are sometimes disliked because of their role as an opportunistic feeder and predator.
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Tree tobacco Nicotiana glauca
Nyctaginaceae: Four O'clock family
Description: Perennial, evergreen; all parts of this plant are toxic; flowers March to November Origin: Southern Bolivia and Northern Argentina Reproduction: Seeds and vegetative Known locations at Lake Mead NRA: Lake Mead shoreline Control: Herbicide; do not hand pull
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Vulture, Turkey
Vulture, Buzzard Cathartes aura
The Turkey Vulture is a scavenger and feeds almost exclusively on carrion. It finds its meals using its sense of smell, flying low enough to detect the gasses produced by the beginnings of the process of decay in dead animals.
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Western Banded Gecko Coleonyx varlegatus
The recreation area’s only truly nocturnal lizard, the Banded Gecko is rarely seen even though it is abundant. It is a small lizard, averaging about five inches long. Half of its length is made up of the tail. The tail is often swollen with fat and has a distinct constriction at its base. The gecko is a light shade of yellow to pink, with highly variable brownish spots and band-like markings. Its skin appears to be almost translucent which, together with its small size and very slender legs, gives the lizard a delicate appearance. Vertical pupils are characteristic of reptiles that are nocturnal. Geckos and their eggs are a main source of food for several species of snakes.
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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox
The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is the largest rattlesnake species found in the recreation area. It averages in length from 3 to 4 feet long and is very heavy-bodied. Its head is considerably wider than its neck. It is usually a light gray brown in color with darker brown blotches along its entire length. The blotches are typically diamond shaped and are irregularly outlined with both lighter and darker flecks of color. The Diamondback is sometimes called the “coontail” because of the distinct black and white rings on its tail. Each ring is about the same width. The Western Diamondback's activity pattern is regulated by the temperature.
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Western Grebe Family Podicipedidae
Grebes are aquatic birds with lobed rather than webbed feet. They are expert divers, but can also slide gradually under the surface of the water if they sense danger.
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There are several species of ground squirrels found within Lake Mead National Recreation Area, but the White-tailed Antelope ground squirrel is the most commonly seen. In fact, it is the most frequently observed of all the desert animals of this area. It is also the easiest to recognize. It is about the size of a chipmunk, 5-6 inches in length. It is a grizzly gray color, with a prominent white stripe running down each side of the back. The underbelly is white. Its ears are very small. The tail is short, flat, fairly bushy and its underside is white. It breeds in the spring, with up to 10 babies born in May or June.
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Yucca, Mohave Yucca Yucca Schidigera
The Mojave yucca (Yucca schidigera), also known as the Spanish Dagger, is a flowering plant in the family Agavaceae. It is native to the Mojave Desert and Sonoran Desert of southeastern California, Baja California, southern Nevada and western Arizona.
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Zebra-tailed Lizard Callisaurus draconoides
Zebra-tailed lizards live in open desert with fairly hard-packed soil, scattered vegetation and scattered rocks, typically desert flats, washes and plains. They range from 2.5 to 4 inches (63 to 100 mm) in length. These lizards are grey to sandy brown, usually with series of paired dark gray spots down the back, becoming black bands on the tail.
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