Death Valley annual average of rainfall is about 1. In general, heavy rains in late October with no more rain through the winter months, as well as rains that are evenly-spaced throughout the winter and into the spring. .
Major Producers.
The Mojave Desert is rich with cacti and succulent species. Cactus grow from an elevation of 400 feet above sea level to the summits of the surrounding mountains.
The cactus species most commonly seen are cottontop barrel, silver cholla, and beavertail cactus. Engelmann hedgehog cactus are locally abundant above 3000 feet elevation. Grizzly bear pricklypear is the most common species in the pinyon-juniper woodlands.
Joshua trees--the indicator species of the Mojave Desert--are found in only a few locations here. The Lee Flat area contains the finest stand in the park.
In contrast to other succulent species, pickleweed is very salt-tolerant and can be found in marshy areas below sea level.
Major Consumers.
Mountain Lions inhabit the mountainous regions of Death Valley and stalk large prey such as mule deer and desert big horn sheep and other large animals. Red-Tailed Hawk are also a major consumer primarily feeding off of small rodents like the desert shrew and desert cottontail. They are commonly seen during the spring and fall months.
Description.
Death Valley National Park has more than 3.3 million acres of spectacular desert scenery, interesting and rare desert wildlife, complex geology, undisturbed wilderness, and sites of historical and cultural interest. Bounded on the west by 11,049 foot Telescope Peak and on the east by 5,475 foot Dante's View, Badwater is the lowest point (-282 feet) in the western hemisphere.
Animals.
These zones and the adjacent desert support a variety of wildlife species, including 51 species of native mammals, 307 species of birds, 36 species of reptiles, three species of amphibians, and five species and one subspecies of native fishes.
