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An Arizona wildlife enthusiast was pleased and surprised to see so many different animals when he reviewed his trail camera footage. He had discovered the hidden mountain pool while hiking the dry riverbed, so he set up his camera to catch any thirsty visitors on film.
As you can see in the video above, at least 10 species come to enjoy the water. From birds to bears, this little mountain pool helps the animals endure the constant cycle of drought, especially in the intense July heat. Continue reading to learn more about area wildlife and how access to water impacts their fight to survive.
Animals Caught on Film
With few trees in the area, the camera was strapped to a flat rock close to the pool. The following are the amazing animals caught on film.
Native Birds
The first animal to stop for a drink is a turkey vulture, a common sight in the deserts of the Southeast and Southwest. The daintily sipping Mexican Jays are also native to southeastern Arizona. In the Southwest, the Blue Grosbeak is typically found near water. They are seen in greater numbers during mating season in late summer.
Black Bears
The film also shows a black bear giving the area a good sniff before lumbering into the pool to cool off. Later, a different black bear drinks from the pool while another inspects the camera. As the curious bear turns toward the pool, we see this is a mama with her cub. The little bear gets a drink before taking a dip with mom. Although some of the bears in the video appear more brown than black, the black bear is the only bear species in Arizona.

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Coues Deer
The Coues deer is a sub-species of white-tailed deer native to Arizona. The film shows the deer nervously inspecting their surroundings before getting a drink. While the pool is deep enough to hide ambush predators, large, aquatic predators like alligators are not native to the area. The deer are more likely watching for their greatest predator—the mountain lion.
Mountain Lions
The Arizona mountain lion can be found in habitats all across the state. The video shows a thirsty mountain lion getting a good long drink. It returns to the pool after dark, this time with a friend. Mountain lions are nocturnal, so they prefer to hunt at night. They are also solitary animals, so this is either a mother with her kit or a breeding pair.
Other Small Mammals
Night vision caught a ring-tailed cat, Arizona’s state mammal, its fluffy tail brushing the camera on the way to the pool. A brave skunk, also native to the area, stomps his front feet for the camera as a warning he might spray. Then a gray fox, the most common of Arizona’s three fox species, sneaks in for a drink. The final animal on film is a bat. Arizona has 28 bat species, all of which are protected.
The Impact of Drought on Arizona Wildlife
Water is the most important resource in the wild, but it isn’t just necessary for hydration. Birds need the water to clean their feathers and keep them parasite-free. Larger animals like bears use the water to keep their bodies cool.
Arizona is in a sustained drought. In a drought, having fewer water sources means diverse species may congregate at one location. This not only increases the risk of predation but also facilitates the spread of disease. In the video, the animals did not interact with other species, but that’s not always the case. Additionally, thirsty animals may venture into unsafe urban or agricultural areas in search of water.
Fortunately, the Arizona Game and Fish Department has been managing wildlife for over 100 years, so they know how to mitigate the impact of drought. Each year, the department hauls over a million gallons of water to fill over 3,000 wildlife waters across the state. They also have teams of biologists to rescue animal populations as needed.
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