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Found only in central and southern Arizona and extreme western New Mexico, the Arizona Black Rattlesnake (Crotalus cerberus) had eluded me for years. Growing up exploring the mountain ranges where it is known to reside, I searched for it to no avail. Previously known as C. viridis cerberus (subspecies to the Western Rattlesnake), the Arizona Black is now recognized as a unique species in itself.
As is often the case, I finally caught my first glimpse of this unique crotalid unexpectedly while out for a climb with my family in the upper reaches of the Santa Catalina Mountains just north of Tucson. We were meandering up a faint trail where the Oak/Manzanita and Ponderosa Pine vegetation communities mingle, when suddenly I picked up the distinct sound of the snake's rattle. By this point I had heard the rattle of many of our local rattlesnakes, from the massive Western Diamondback (C. atrox) to the smaller Rock Rattlesnake (C. lepidus), and realized this was a sound I did not recognize.
With a sudden burst of adrenaline, I threw down my pack and began to search for the source of the sound. Unlike the larger Western Diamondback or Mohave Rattlesnake (C. scutulatus), the Arizona Black, as well as many of the other smaller species, only give a quick rattle and may not rattle again unless further disturbed. Of course, this is just what happened. On top of that, the sound had come from a thick, formidable maze of manzanita.
I could not miss my chance to see a potentially new species, so I hesitantly crawled in, and carefully picked my way through the tangled branches searching for the cryptic ectotherm that was probably slithering away in the opposite direction. To my luck, the snake remained, and gave another warning rattle. This time I was able to locate its position. It was neatly coiled against the smooth red bark of one of the manzanitas, prepared to strike. My desire for a good photo overcame prudent fear of hemotoxins and I gingerly made my way toward the viper. Carefully, I secured a good hold about the snake and pulled it out to snap a few pictures (Warning: do not handle venomous or otherwise dangerous wildlife). After a brief inspection, I released the snake and watched it slither away into the thicket. Happy as could be and a little shaky from the experience, my family and I continued on to our destination just a bit more wary of what may lurk underfoot.
This experience, along with others, has enriched my life spent wandering the slopes of the Sky Islands of Southern Arizona, and has maintained my desire and interest in finding and documenting our region's rich and diverse wildlife.

 

Colorado River Delta Restoration Gets New Binational Support Colorado River Delta Restoration Gets New Binational Support

The once free and mighty Colorado River collected silt along its path, creating the 1,930,000-acre Colorado River Delta before disappearing into the Gulf of California. Plants, fish, animals and some native peoples flourished there.

Diversion and dam building changed much of that by the mid-twentieth century, and many, including leading scientist Exequiel Ezcurra, thought “the Delta was gone, vanished forever.”

However, according to Dr. Ezcurra, who recently became a Sonoran Institute board member, conservation groups began “to defend this treasure … and to propose means to protect it … preserving a heritage we all thought was gone forever.”

The Sonoran Institute, Environmental Defense and other partners developed guidelines and recommendations for conservation in the Delta, and in 2005, published Conservation Priorities in the Colorado River Delta, reflecting the contributions of many scientists, resource managers and resource users. That report was adopted in April by the binational Minute 306 Advisory Group, part of the International Boundary and Water Commission, representing government and nongovernmental organizations.

As of July, the Advisory Group identified eighteen projects it will support to address the report’s recommendations. This political support is critical for seeking funds for the projects, which fall into three categories: restoration, policy and research.

The Sonoran Institute is leading or participating in several of these projects, including restoration work in the Colorado River riparian corridor and the Río Hardy. Institute staff led by Project Manager Francisco Zamora started a Restoration Demonstration Site, and in the next year they expect to plant 25 acres of native trees and restore three acres of marsh wetland in backwater areas.

Jason Meininger

Sonoran Institute

7650 E. Broadway Blvd.

Suite 203

Tucson, AZ 86710

520.290.0828

WILD PURSLANE - Portulaca oleracea

With Spring upon us, all those wonderful herbaceous "what is this?,,,I don't know" plants start appearing. A "what is this?,,,I don't know" plant well worth mentioning is wild purslane, Portulaca oleracea.
Although considered a weed by many, this low growing tangy, green plant is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants (omega-3 fatty acids). Gardeners usually don't seed wild purslane (Portulaca oleracea) but rather it appears in partial shade to deep shade microclimates of your garden.
The young shoots and tender leaves (60 days or younger) are harvested and used in Mexican recipes to flavor pork stews, soups, salads and as a filling for tortillas. If you plan on harvesting the wild plants, rather then growing from seed, be sure to correctly identify the plant for correct genus and species, so that toxic relatives are avoided. If you are interested in growing form seed, domesticated varieties are available.

Information Supplied by Caryl Jean Clement