When you schedule a Grand Canyon bus trip, you normally will embark on a trip to the South Rim or West Rim of the Grand Canyon. Part of this trip also involves a Hoover Dam Bus tour – one that will allow you to see the great Hoover Dam and its operational facility. Besides the Hoover dam tour, you can also see a variety of Nevada wildlife in the area.
Nevada Wildlife Official State Animal
One of the Nevada wildlife you may see are big horn sheep, also known as Nevada’s official state animal. These large animals are easily recognizable because of their horns. For example, the male bighorn sheep displays curling horns that measure about 127 centimeters or 50 inches long. The female features straight horns than span 15 inches in length, or 38 centimeters long.
Spotting a Coyote
Other animals of note in Nevada wildlife include the coyote, rattlesnake, Gila monster, tarantula, and scorpions. If you see a coyote, you may be inclined to pet it, but don’t mistake this thin and mid-sized dog for your regular canine companion. The wild dog features a tan body, rust-hued legs, and white belly in the summer, all which turn gray in winter. Coyotes like to feast on area lizards, birds, rabbits, and rodents.
Nevada Wildlife You Want to Avoid
You will know a rattlesnake by its triangular configured had and pink skin with black blotches. The rattle snake displays less aggression the hotter the weather. Keep your distance from the reptile, as the Mohave rattler dispenses a toxic venom that depresses the lungs and heart and disintegrates tissues.
You also want to stay clear of the Gila monster, one of the two poisonous lizards in the whole world. The lizard, which measures up to 24 inches or 61 centimeters long attacks quickly, producing a deep laceration. The toxic venom it releases travels to the nerve center of the heart, which can cause instantaneous death.
Tarantulas Are Not as Scary as They Look
While people think the hairy tarantula spider is dangerous, it is not. While the brown-black spider may bite out of self-defense, it usually does not like to bite humans. If you do get bit by the spider, it will feel like a bee sting.
Southwest Scorpions
You may also see a scorpion on a Hoover Dam bus tour. However, the distant cousin of the spider is nocturnal, and therefore more active at night. Displaying eight legs and lobster-like claws, two species of Scorpions live near Hoover Dam as well as in the Grand Canyon.
For example, the giant hairy scorpion measures about 4 inches or 10 centimeters long and has a tan body. Its sting feels like a bee sting. While the sting may be fatal in rare cases, pain or an allergic reaction, such as hives or swelling, is the normal reaction. The other scorpion—the bark scorpion—measures 5 centimeters or about 2 inches long, and is colored pale yellow. While its sting indeed hurts, it is usually not deadly. Nevertheless, if you do get stung, you still should see a doctor or receive medical attention.
