Behavioral Ecology Blog

a.k.a Highlights of the 1st week of the field season..

Ok, so photo #1, this is Peromyscus eremicus (Cactus mouse). It is the most common mouse here in Deep Canyon, putatively monogamous (this is one of the things I will establish), and awfully cute. They are averaging 17 grams in weight. They, like most desert adapted species, do not require water. However, their population numbers are greatly reduced in this, very dry year…

The second photo is of Chaetodipus spinatus (Spiny Pocket mouse). See those spines on the rear end. These guys can be found only on rocky areas, and even then are pretty rare. They are super-small, only 10grams.

The 3rd- is P. eremicus (the prettier one) and C. formosus. They are both recovering for sedation.

The 4th are the flowers of the Ocotillo. Pretty huh?

The 5th and last is a natural cave that was used by the Cahuilla Indians long time ago. You can’t see it in the photo, but there are pottery shards everyplace. There are several of these caves scattered around. Deep Canyon is thought to have been a main stomping ground of the Cahuilla people, as there is water available year round- which is obviously very uncommon in the desert.