Home is a Hole
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Homes, holes and burrows in the bank of a wash
The many holes you see in the ground along the trail were probably made by desert rodents. Round-tailed squirrels hibernate in these during winter and take afternoon siestas during the hot summer days.
Antelope squirrels burrow underground also, emerging periodically from the moist depths to retrieve anything they need to survive.
Kangaroo rats dig burrows with many entrances among the shrubbery roots and plug them with dirt during the day to keep them cool. These rodents obtain adequate moisture from biological processes within their body during the digestion of food. The system is so efficient they never need to drink water or eat succulent food.
As you walk the trail, look for these desert homes, but be careful not to disturb them.
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Desert Wildlife
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Some content is based on reconstructed historical context and has been reviewed for accuracy; interpretation may evolve. For educational use only; not a travel or safety guide. Copyright © Walter Feller, 1995–2026. All rights reserved. |