Skunks?

[cap1717]

I have seen coatimundi in the mountainous regions of extreme south east AZ (on or near Muleshoe Ranch, I think), but did not know that ringtails lived anywhere near the Phx area. So many of these critters are nocturnal, and although I am often up hours before dawn, and hiking / working outdoors, sometimes in pristine areas, I have not seen one. I did see porcupine in the desert between Phx and Cave Creek, once. . . . I was so surprised to see it, that it took me a long time to properly identify what I had seen. . . . .

[AZRiverRat]

I never knew it was the state mammal until about 2 years ago and Ive lived in AZ the past 17 years.
Check this out...
Arizona's State Mammal at Home in Sedona

AHA! They are a member of the raccoon family.
Turn-of-the-century miners in Arizona used to domesticate the Ringtail and keep them around the mines to control the rodent population, hence the Ringtail's other common name, Miner's Cat.

I'm in Mohave County along the Colorado River, and we have LOTS of wildlife...ESPECIALLY skunks and raccoons.

We had a BIG skunk problem one year. A pair set up house in a water drainage pipe along the river and terrorized our whole block. They came out to feed at night, and would eat from our pomegranite tree. Both skunks and beaver are good climbers.

We got traps from the AC, but they were smart enough to get the catfood out of them without springing the door. Our neighbors tried traps without success. They finally moved on after the babies were weaned in the fall.

Most wildlife in the lower desert area is nocturnal. If you see these animals during the day, it could be a sign of rabies....EEEK!

Heres a link to AZ wildlife...
The Desert Wild | Coyote Facts

Up north towards Hoover Dam, there are Bighorn Sheep.
STOCK PHOTOS OF DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP

[MichaelinWA]

This link, from the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum - a fabulous place, by the way, to appreciated the amazing variety of wildlife in the Sonora - shows pictures of both the coati and the ringtail:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Raccoons, Ringtails & Coatis

[MichaelinWA]

And back to the OP, all four types of skunks apparently live in the desert:

Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: Mustelids (Skunks etc.)

"Skunks live in a variety of habitats from riparian canyons and wooded areas to Arizona uplands and suburbs. They prefer thick, brushy areas. The spotted skunk is most common in rocky, riparian canyons, while the hog-nose is usually found in the middle to higher elevations. None of the skunks are common in the low, dry flats."

[Elmonellie]

Originally Posted by cap1717

I have seen coatimundi in the mountainous regions of extreme south east AZ (on or near Muleshoe Ranch, I think), but did not know that ringtails lived anywhere near the Phx area. So many of these critters are nocturnal, and although I am often up hours before dawn, and hiking / working outdoors, sometimes in pristine areas, I have not seen one. I did see porcupine in the desert between Phx and Cave Creek, once. . . . I was so surprised to see it, that it took me a long time to properly identify what I had seen. . . . .

If you enjoy very early morning hikes and want to see A LOT of wildlife, not too far from Phx, try taking Cave Creek Road past Bartlett Lake Turoff, past the last housing development. You'll be on your way to I think it's called 7 Springs. On this road there are a few rough roads off to the right. Take any of these but be aware that the "roads" are very, very bad. The farther in you can get the better and the more animals you'll encounter. In my opinion this area is much better than N. Cave Creek for critter watching, because not many people veer off to the right and there is more water around this area.

[cap1717]

Thanks Elm. . . . I LOVE Seven Springs, and hike there as often as I can! Especially love to hike down the creek towards Spur Cross Ranch. One of these day's I'm gonna get someone to drop me off at Seven Springs and Pick me up at Spur Cross. . . . That's my kind of "fun day". . . . .

[garisonthebull]

I have had an up close encounter with a ringtail cat. The poor thing got trapped in a trash can scavenging foor food. I tipped it over and set him free. Beautiful animal.

[nitram]

I just returned from Washington DC, man there are skunks everywhere back there. Phewwwy!

[MichaelinWA]

Story from Gila County about a "local skunk":

Local skunk tests positive for rabies