I was born and lived for five years in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania before we packed up and moved to the Southwest. Our home in Pittsburgh was in the heart of the city, streets crowded with homes and businesses. There were landscaped lawns, flower gardens and large, leafy trees. However, any animal life that was not leashed and walked by a human was minimal. Squirrels visited our driveways and scurried up tree trunks, pigeons “cooed” under our windows, sparrows hopped along the curb and took off into flight and the usual array of insects -- such as bees, ants and mosquitoes -- annoyed us in the summer months.
When we arrived in Tucson, Arizona, I was in for a big surprise. Although Tucson is officially a city, it is teeming with wildlife, and when I say “wild,” I mean wild. Here is a taste of the unique animals with whom I have had a somewhat close encounter since arriving in Tucson.
1. Javelina
The first time I laid my eyes on a Javelina, I was puzzled. We were in the car, driving down a dark, windy road, when a group of Javelina crossed in front of us. These strange beasts look and stink like pigs, but they are actually peccaries. They travel in herds, often at night. In the spring, baby Javelina will trot long behind their parents. Javelina can wreak havoc if they traverse your neighborhood the evening before trash pick-up. Typically hunting for food, they will knock over your trash cans and dig through the contents.
2. Rattlesnakes
I have been fortunate not to have come face-to-face with this venomous and extremely dangerous creature. On two occasions, rattlesnakes paid a visit to our driveway. Once, while with my mother, we were frightened enough to sit in the car and await the arrival of the fire department for its removal. On the second occasion, the tires of our car found the poor creature before we did.
3. Gila Monster
Just this week, as we were leaving our home for the day, I spied a Gila monster in the front garden. The fact that this reptile is called a “monster” should be a clue. The Gila monster is one of only two venomous lizards in the world. Slow-moving and generally docile, a Gila monster is unlikely to cause harm to a human. Since they are protected by law, if you were to try to mess with a Gila monster, you could end up not only with a very painful and life-threatening bite, but a costly fine, as well.
4. Scorpions
I have seen dozens and dozens of scorpions in the 12 years we have lived in the Southwest. They can be found outdoors in the crevices of our patio. More alarming, they can suddenly turn up where least expected. I remember my mom sorting dirty laundry to toss into the wash one evening and finding at the bottom of the laundry basket a very alive scorpion. Fortunately, she was not stung. It is a bit of a risk walking barefoot in our house; the travertine tile floors are an ivory shade with light brown swirls, some of which closely resemble the tiny and most venomous scorpion, the bark scorpion, particularly when I am not wearing my contacts!
5. Coyotes.
Wile E. Coyote is alive and well in the wild, wild west. These wolf-like animals look like skinny dogs. They are occasionally seen roaming our neighborhood, though the washes, in search of food. The eeriest thing about coyotes is the sounds they emit at night. We have been serenaded by their short, high-pitched yips and howls. The first time I heard coyotes communicating with one another, I was convinced there was a gathering of crying babies.
Next time you get spooked by a spider, count your blessings that it doesn't look like this!
