Hidden in the extraordinary Sonoran Desert of the American Southwest is a world of wonders. Despite is dry and dead image, the Sonoran is teeming with life and vegetation and harbours one of the most unusual ecosystems on earth.
Far from a desolate desert, the Sonoran’s spectacular landscape and varied climate support a diverse community of plant and animal life.
It is one of the largest and hottest deserts in North America, yet contains a variety of unique plants and animals not found anywhere else. Part of it is set aside as the Sonoran Desert National Monument, for the purpose of enhancing resource protection.
This unique place is a showcase for some of nature’s most unusual creations. Towering high above them all is the mighty Saguaro Cactus, weighing as much as eight tons and hoarding almost 2,000 gallons of water against the relentless drought. Growing as tall as a 5-storey building, they can live for 200 years.
Another amazing cactus is the Prickly Pear Cactus. Its beautifully coloured flowers attract Cactus Bees and we are shown how they feed, mate and develop their young.
All Sonoran creatures, from the Nectar Bat to the Gila Monster, display their own unique features that spell survival in one of the world’s last great, wild places.
The desert is home to Coyotes, Javelinas (Peccaries or Wild Pigs), Squirrels, Toads, Quails, Mice, Woodpeckers, Giant Centipedes, Scorpions, Lizards, Diamondback Rattlesnakes and a host of other reptiles.
Expertly narrated by the legendary Richard Kiley.
Review:
“Excellent documentary on an unusual and special part of the world. The intricate chain of relationships between the climate, the animals and plants is well documented. The cacti are particularly interesting and seeing them in extremes of climate, even in the snow and in a monsoon, was great! The most dramatic footage is of a beautiful Regal Horned Lizard scaring off a coyote – it sprays foul-tasting blood from its tear duct, completely confusing the coyote.”
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