
It’s not Animal House, but things can get pretty wild with the wide variety of Arizona wildlife visitors can see nearby while camping in Kingman, Arizona. The Grand Canyon State offers at least as many different species and varieties of game and fish as there are varying habitats. If you are feeling the “call of the wild,” Zuni Village & RV Park is conveniently located near some of Arizona’s beautiful state parks where you can encounter common species and gain insight by speaking with knowledgeable park staff. There is much indigenous wildlife to be seen in Arizona, but here are a few of the most common.
Common Species of Arizona Wildlife
- Coyote
It may not be a Warner Brothers cartoon, but old Wile E. Coyote would find himself right at home in the state parks of Arizona. From Grand Canyon State Park to Red Rock and on to Lost Dutchman, coyotes can be spotted on the hunt. They are nocturnal, however, and are more frequently seen at night.
- Javelina
This little piggy went to market…well, to the Arizona state parks anyway. The amusing grunts, snuffles, and snorts of the collared peccary, or javelina, can be heard at Catalina, Red Rock, Dead Horse, Lost Dutchman, Patagonia, and Slide Rock State Parks, all a day trip away from Kingman.
The pig-like creature makes for a great natural photo op, easily approachable. As with any wildlife, however, use caution and observe adequate distance.
- Deer
The gentle deer is represented in Arizona by two distinct species, the Coues whitetail deer and the mule deer. Early risers and night owls are more likely to encounter deer as they are more active as the sun rises and sets. Daytime hours are spent bedding down. Springtime and early summer are good times to spot deer as fawns cavort alongside does. Breeding season in December and January also provides a prime opportunity to spot these creatures.
- Black Bear
When is a black bear not black? When it’s red, brown, or blonde, of course! The Arizona black bear can be seen in various shades and colors. Though not spotted as frequently as some other species of wildlife, Slide Rock and Tonto Natural Bridge afford the most likely chances of spying these animals. The months just before winter hibernation is the period of highest activity when the bears are hitting the buffet line before their long winter’s nap. Exercise due caution should you spot these magnificent creatures and don’t feed the bears… even if his name is Yogi!
- Coatimundi
If any species of Arizona wildlife had a Facebook page or an Instagram account, it would be the coatimundi. Sometimes seen in bands of more than thirty individuals, these extremely social, raccoon-like mammals are active both day and night and prefer to linger in trees.
- Raccoon
Who was that masked mammal? A raccoon, of course. These nocturnal animals are famous for rifling unsecured trash containers in the search for nighttime nibbles, but also maintain a steady diet that includes fish, grains, fruit, insects, small birds, and invertebrates. Weighing in up to thirty pounds, these band-tailed bandits generally can be found near any permanent source of water.
- Skunk
There’s more to skunks than their pungent perfume. Arizona plays host to four different species of this nocturnal animal: spotted, striped, hog-nosed and hooded. Though all four species are dispersed throughout the Arizona state parks, the most commonly seen variety is the striped.
- Chuckwalla
Chuckwallas are Arizona’s quick-change artists. These lizards, which can weigh as much as two pounds and reach lengths over a foot and a half, can camouflage, changing their pigment to blend in with what is around them. This nifty skill aids in evading predators. One of the most common animals among Arizona game and fish and wildlife, the Chuckwalla can be found across the state parks.
- Red-Spotted Toad
Hop on over to just about any part of Arizona to spot these three-inch amphibians. Easily found by keeping a keen ear out for their high-pitched trill, the red-spotted toad likes rock-filled, water areas.
Nothing compares to viewing wildlife in its natural environment. Wildlife viewing can entail the simple act of observing one of Arizona’s hummingbirds right outside your own RV or can be executed on a grander scale by participating in one of the many starlight hikes offered within the state to see a wiry coyote loping across a canyon trail. When you park your RV at Zuni Village & RV Park, get in touch with your wild side and visit with some Arizona wildlife.