The Sonoran Desert is truly a marvel of nature. Spanning across the U.S. and Mexico, this desert covers over 120,000 square miles and contains unique plant and animal life that can’t be found anywhere else in the world. From its cacti-covered hillsides to its rushing rapids, let’s explore what makes this desert so special.
The Sonoran Desert is home to a variety of plants that have adapted to survive in the extreme conditions of their environment. Some of these plants include iconic species such as saguaro cacti, creosote bush, palo verde trees, ocotillo plants, and chollas. These plants are essential for providing food and shelter for wildlife in the area, as well as helping prevent soil erosion. They also provide us with valuable resources such as medicine, building materials, food, and even fuel.
Diverse wildlife can be found in the Sonoran desert and can often be seen from a raft. Some animals found in this desert include coyotes, javelina pigs, jackrabbits, roadrunners, Gila monsters, rattlesnakes, quail, hawks, owls, foxes, deer, bobcats, mountain lions, Gila woodpeckers, bighorn sheep, antelope, kangaroo rats, and kit foxes. See how many you can spot while coasting down the Salt River.
The high amount of rainfall and warm temperatures create an environment of complex biodiversity. Sonoran green toads can be found (and heard) during the summer rainfall along with other amphibians. The desert tortoise is native to the Mojave and Sonoran deserts and, with a careful eye, can be spotted lumbering around the desert. While you might not be able to spot all 200 species of birds from the river, you’ll surely see your fair share.
You may think you’re just booking a rafting tour, but you’ll leave with a degree in the ecological diversity of the Sonoran Desert. Experience the wonder of this fascinating place, all from the front seat of a raft coursing down the Salt River.
