<P> The Mojave Desert appears to have little in the way of wildlife but actually has large, diverse populations . The extremely warm desert environment has animals that have adapted to their environment with each filling an important niche in the desert ecosystem . Animals in the Mojave Desert include the Mohave rattlesnake, desert tortoise, glossy snake, common side - blotched lizard, California kingsnake, giant hairy scorpion, stripe tailed scorpion and the desert iguana . </P> <P> Mammals found in the deserts of the lower Sonoran zone include the jackrabbit, kangaroo rat, and opossum . The Texas night owl, roadrunner, cactus wren, and various species of hawk are common birds, and the sidewinder, desert tortoise, and horned toad represent the area's reptilian life . The upper Sonoran zone is home to such mammals as the antelope, brown - footed woodrat, and ring - tailed cat . Birds distinctive to this zone are the California thrasher, the American bushtit, and California condor . </P> <P> The Colorado River is the longest river in the State of California . Many animals have made the Colorado River and surrounding Lower Colorado River Valley their home . Animals along the river include several species of snakes, scorpions, tarantula, yellow - headed blackbird, desert iguana, kit fox, bobcats and coyotes . Rivers and streams in the Colorado Basin were once home to 49 species of native fish, of which 42 are endemic . </P> <P> Engineering projects and river regulation have led to the extinction of four species and severe declines in the populations of 40 species . The bonytail chub, razorback sucker, Colorado pikeminnow, and humpback chub are among those considered the most at risk . All are unique to the Colorado River system and well adapted to the river's natural silty conditions and flow variations . </P>

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