Sonoran Desert Facts: Learn All About One Of The Hottest Deserts!

The Sonoran Desert is said to be the hottest and driest desert in North America.

It lies between the Mohave desert towards California, and the Chihuahuan desert, which lies along Mexico's border with Texas. The Sonoran Desert covers large areas of southern Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, and northwestern Mexico.

The subdivision of the Central Gulf Coast of the Sonoran Desert is located in west-central Sonora. The western region of this desert is often referred to as the Colorado desert.

So, never confuse yourself with the Colorado desert and the Sonoran desert. The majority of the Sonoran Desert is in Mexico, accounting for roughly half of the total region.

The desert covers an area or region of 86100.009 sq mi (222,998 sq km), and the vegetation type is predominantly xeric shrublands. The rivers which flow through the desert are the Colorado River and the Gila River.

The number of bird species found is 246, and the number of mammal species is 120. 39% of the desert land is protected, while the desert has faced 10.5% habitat loss.

Temperatures fluctuate throughout the year but generally remain stable with little rainfall or humidity. Since the Sonoran Desert region has such a warm climate, many specialist and interesting plant and animal species live here.

The Saguaro cactus, which only grows in this desert, can usually be found growing just east of this desert. There are also many types of succulents that have evolved to grow in dry climates.

Climate Of Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert has a two-mode precipitation cycle.

The Sonoran Desert lies between the Mohave desert and Chihuahuan desert and has an arid subtropical climate. As a desert, the region receives very little rainfall, with most precipitation happening in the summer months.

The lowlands of the region are the driest areas, while the higher uplands receive slightly more rainfall, in a more regular biannual pattern.

The annual rainfall in the Sonoran Desert varies from 3–20 in (76-508 mm), which highly depends upon the location, with significant variation in when and how much it falls.

This seasonal rainfall is the main reason why the desert has a varied and rich species of flora and fauna. The mountains and upland areas in the area have a big impact on the weather.

The Sonoran Desert can be a scorching place in the summer months. Summer heat temperatures frequently increase up to 104 F (40 C), while they occasionally touch the temperature of 118 F (48 C), particularly in the lower lying regions.

Temperature can vary dramatically, and can rapidly drop 50 F (10 C) and even less after a storm, frequently within minutes.

The coldest months are December through February, with lows of 44.6 F (7C) on average, although sometimes it does get cold enough for a frost to occur.

Occasionally winter precipitation falls as snow, and you can see the iconic dry land and tall cactus plats dusted in snowfall. No matter what season it is, temperatures may fluctuate by 59 F (15 C) or more during the day due to the dry air and sparse vegetation.

Flora And Fauna Of Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is located in the southwestern part of North America. All over this region, you will find a variety of woody plants and desert vegetation. The animal life in this desert with the Mexican border is also very diverse. Here are a few examples:

The iconic saguaro cactus is the signature plant of the desert. These cacti have an external skeleton that protects them from being eaten by animals and helps to support their structure.

Saguaro cactus have very shallow root systems to collect as much rain as possible, taking in as much water as they can when rain falls, and to help collect any moisture during periods of drought. Saguaros, like many other desert plants, actually receive most of their water from the morning fog.

Barrel cactus are also common in the area. The interesting thing about these cacti is that they store extra water in their large ribs.

During times when water and food are scarce, the barrel can live off its internal fluids for many months! Creosote bush is one of the most common plants in the Sonoran desert.

Their roots run deep underground to help them capture as much water as possible without using up too much energy. Palm springs are also found in the biotic communities in the westernmost region of the broad valleys of the desert.

Ocotillo are perhaps one of the most unusual-looking plants in the Sonoran desert. They look like small trees but do not have any bark, branches, or leaves.

But don't be fooled! At the end of winter and early spring, ocotillos sprout flowers that look like red lanterns.

At first glance, these plants may resemble another species of cactus, but they are in fact a tupe of flowering shrub. Another common shrub or tree are the many mesquite trees in the desert, these hardy trees are a common site in arid regions of central America and produce distinctive bean pods filled with seeds.

The Sonoran Desert is a very diverse region with a variety of animals calling it home. You can find many different kinds of small insects, reptiles, and mammals here.

Gray foxes, which are found throughout North and Central America, are common in the area. Grey foxes are solitary animals and have not been known to form packs. Instead, they stay alone most of the time, except during mating season or if they need help hunting down prey.

Another canid species found here is the coyote. These medium-sized wild dogs are often seen in packs. They do not make their own dens but will take over abandoned badger or skunk holes instead! In addition, coyotes have one of the widest food choices found in all kinds of ecosystems. This includes berries, insects, snakes, and even deer fawns!

Javelina are found in the Sonoran Desert. These large wild boars can weigh up to 35 lb (16 kg). Unlike other pigs, though, javelinas do not usually live in groups and prefer open areas like grasslands and deserts. As for food, javelina eats fruits, plants, and even small animals.

Desert bighorn sheep are another mammals found in the area. Their name may sound a bit intimidating at first, but don't worry!

These wild sheep are very shy creatures that spend most of their time hiding amongst the rocks. Also, they only really come out during the breeding season, so you would be lucky if you ever got to see them! Mule deer species are also found here.

Beautiful great horned owls can sometimes be spotted in the desert. Since these birds hunt mostly at night, the chances of spotting them are in fact very low! Their main prey includes skunks, rats, and even other smaller birds.

Another bird to look out for is a hawk. The best way to spot these birds is by looking up into the sky during the late morning or afternoon.

And if you see a group of hawks soaring high above, you might just catch sight of an American kestrel since they are one of the most common types found here.

Population Of Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is inhabited by more than 17 distinct Native American tribes, whose civilizations have thrived there for thousands of years.

The indigenous people of California and Arizona reside on American Indian reservations in both states, as well as Mexico. Phoenix, Arizona, is the most populous city in the Sonoran Desert, with approximately 4.7 million people in 2017.

It is the third-largest city in Arizona and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States. It is located close to the Salt River.

In the region of Phoenix in 2007, the desert was retreating at a rate of 43055.64 sq ft (4,000 sq m) each hour due to urban development. The next most populous city is Tucson, in southern Arizona, with a metro population of just over 996,000 people.

Mexicali, and Baja California, have roughly 1 million people in the metropolitan area. The city of Hermosillo, Sonora's recorded population is around 900,000. Ciudad Obregón in Sonora is a city located in the southern region of the Sonora desert. It has a population of 375,800.

Tourist Attractions In Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran Desert is home to several parks and nature preserves.

Some of the most popular are Saguaro National Park, Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Ironwood Forest National Monument, Boyce Thompson Arboretum, Lost Dutchman State Park, Coronado National Memorial, Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Imperial National Wildlife Refuge, McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, Picacho Peak State Park, Red Rock State Park, and Desert Botanical Garden.

FAQs

Is the Sonoran Desert the hottest desert?

A: In the Sonoran Desert, temperatures can reach up to 118 F ( 48 C) during the summer months. This dessert is one of the hottest deserts in North America, including Mexico.

How did the Sonoran Desert get its name?

A: The Sonoran Desert got its name from the Mexico's state of Sonora. In Spanish, the desert is called the Desierto de Sonora.

What is the Sonoran Desert?

A: The Sonoran Desert is known to be the hottest and driest desert in North America. The Mojave, which runs along the California-Nevada border and the Chihuahuan desert that borders Mexico's southern border with Texas, is in between.

The Sonoran Desert covers a significant section of Arizona, southeastern California, southern Nevada, southern Utah, and northwestern Mexico. In the west-central state of Sonora is the Central Gulf Coast area of the Sonoran Desert.

What animals live in the Sonoran desert?

A: The Sonoran Desert is home to an abundance of animals, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. The mammals in the desert include desert bighorn sheep, coyotes, grey foxes, and javelinas. The Sonoran Desert is also home to the only population of jaguars in the United States.

How old is the Sonoran desert?

A: The Sonoran Desert is made up of rocks that are of different types and ages. It is believed to be two billion years old, from the Precambrian era. The oldest rocks are in Arizona, while the youngest rocks are near the border with Mexico.

How hot is the Sonoran desert?

A: The Sonoran desert temperature fluctuates and is usually between 104-118 F n the summer months (40-48 C).

Is the Grand Canyon in the Sonoran Desert?

A: The Grand Canyon is in the Sonoran Desert near the Mojave Desert along the Colorado Plateau, with the majority of it in Arizona.

Is the Sonoran Desert the biggest? 

A: No, the Sonoran Desert is not the biggest in North America. It is one of several big deserts that are located between two mountain ranges, including the Mojave in California and Nevada and the Chihuahuan in Mexico.