Sonoran Desert

The Sonoran desert covers the south-east corner of California and the south-west region of Arizona. It runs south through Baja California, Mexico and through western Mexico, adjacent to the Gulf of California.

The Sonoran is significantly hotter than the Mojave desert, which lies directly to its north.

Fast Facts

1. AKA: Gila Desert, Low Desert
2. Climate: Dry Tropical¹
3. One of the largest and hottest deserts in North America
4. Covers 55 million acres
5. Only place the Saguaro Cactus grows in the wild
6. Location: latitude 25° to 33° North and longitude 105° to 118° West²
7. Time zone: MST³
8. Spans across the states of Arizona, California and Baja California
9. Animals:⁴
   • Banded Gila Monster
   • Bobcat
   • Cactus Wren
   • Coyote
   • Desert Bighorn
   • Javelina
   • Cactus Ferruginous Pygmy-Owl
   • Sonoran Pronghorn Antelope
   • Sonoran Toad
10. Plants:⁵
    • Barrel Cactus
    • Brittle Bush
    • Desert Ironwood
    • Chain Fruit Cholla
    • Creosote Bush
    • Crimson Hedgehog Cactus
    • Ocotillo
    • Palo Verde
    • Saguaro Cactus
    • Soaptree Yucca
    • Teddybear or Jumping Cholla
    • Triangle-leaf Bursage
    • Velvet Mesquite

Sonoran Habitation

Phoenix, Arizona is the Sonora's most populous metropolitan area, followed by Tucson. Phoenix averages highs of over 100 degrees during the months of June, July and August. Even so, it is one of the United States' fastest growing urban areas.

In Mexico, Baja's Mexicali has a population of about 900,000 people, and an average July temperature high of 107 degrees.

Plant and Animal Life

The Sonoran is home to over 2000 plant species, supported by three to 15 inches of rain every year. Based on annual rainfall, the Sonoran is the wettest desert in the world. Over 300 species of bird also thrive in the Sonoran desert and over 100 species of reptile take refuge in the desert's more mountainous regions.

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