US/Mexico Border Biodiversity

Northern bobwhite - Colinus virginianus

A moderately sized quail native to Mexico, the United States and Canada. The bobwhite can range from 24 to 28 cm (9.4 to 11.0 in) in length with a 33 to 38 cm (13 to 15 in) wingspan. The Northern bobwhite whistle is a distinguishable characteristic that can be familiar in the spring in some farmlands. The northern bobwhite diet consists of plants and small invertebrates, such as ticks, snails, grasshoppers, beetles, spiders, crickets, and leafhoppers

Print inspired by artist Olivia Ronan

Northeastern pond turtle - Actinemys marmorata

Mostly seen in the Pacific States of North America usually from Washington to Baja California Norte. The species appears to be declining in abundance in the northernmost and southernmost portion of its range, but not in the core of its range from central California to southern Oregon. The primary threats are the loss and alteration of both aquatic and terrestrial habitats.              

Print inspired by artist Hannah Caisse

Loggerhead shrike - Lanius ludovicianus

The loggerhead shrikes are a thick-bodied songbird that migrates from Mexico to the United States in order to breed. The wing and tail length is about 3.82 and 3.87 inches long, respectively. It weighs on average 50 grams, with a range of 45-60 grams for a healthy adult shrike. It is nicknamed the butcherbird after its carnivorous tendencies, as it consumes prey such as amphibians, insects, lizards, small mammals and small birds. Loggerhead shrike populations have been decreasing in North America since the 1960s due to habitat loss, pesticide contamination, climate change and human disturbance.

Print inspired by artist Justin Long

Red diamond rattlesnake - Crotalus ruber

This snake is a venomous pit viper species found in southwestern California in the United States and Baja California, Mexico. This snake can be identified by its diamond-like pattern and its reddish color, to which the specific name, ruber, refers to. This species preys on rabbits, ground squirrels, birds and lizards. During the months of February and April their mating occurs and females give birth in August.

Print inspired by artist Kate Richerson

Lowland leopard frog - Lithobates yavapaiensis

This frog is pretty small usually found in Mexico. Compared to other leopard frogs, the tadpoles are relatively dark, mottled, and stocky. To avoid predators, this little (Adults are 1.8 to 3.4 inches long from snout to vent (4.6 - 8.6 cm)) frog remains still to avoid detection, as well as hopping into water or vegetation to evade capture. However The reasons for the declines of amphibians in Arizona and worldwide are not known, but probably include a combination of global and local factors

Print inspired by artist Geneveva Deblasi

Bighorn sheep - Ovis canadensis 

Rams typically measure 160 -180 cm from head to tail, while ewes are approximately 150 cm. Bighorn sheep have double-layered skulls shored with struts of bone for battle protection. We can sometimes tell the age, health, and history by the shape, size and overall appearance of its horns. Bighorn sheep are important predators for shrubs and grasses in their native lands. Several populations may be threatened with eventual extinction, their numbers are only 10% of the population that existed before. The Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep occupy the cooler mountainous regions of Canada and the United States. In contrast, the desert bighorn sheep subspecies are indigenous to the hot desert ecosystems of the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Print inspired by artist Ashley Ersepke

Mexican wolf - Canis lupus baileyi

Most commonly known as El Lobo and is a subspecies of the gray wolf. It is also one of the smallest North American wolves. Mexican gray wolves prefer mountain forests, grasslands and scrublands. They once ranged widely from central Mexico throughout the southwestern U.S. Unfortunately they were wiped out in the U.S. and given that there are only a few left, they are slowly being reintroduced. In 2017, there are at least 143 Mexican wolves living wild in Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico. There are 240 in captive breeding programs in the USA and Mexico.

Print inspired by artist Alejandra Rueda

Ocelot - Leopardus pardalis

The Ocelot is a small wild cat native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. The ocelot's fur is extensively marked with solid black markings on a creamy, tawny, yellowish fur. They are usually solitary and active around twilight and at night. Ocelots usually scent-mark its territory by spraying urine. They are carnivores and prey on small mammals, such as armadillos, opossums, rabbits, rodents, small birds, fish, insects and reptiles. The destruction of habitat is the main threat to ocelot survival. In addition, its fur is sought by poachers for the illegal trade.

Print inspired by artist Sofia Vermeulen