My Culture: Arizona

I was born in Sierra Vista. I lived there until 2003, when I moved to Japan. I returned to Sierra Vista, AZ in 2008 and lived there until 2014. I then moved up to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona. So for most of my life, I have lived in Arizona and been able to explore the natural beauty and wonder that is all over the state. I am used to temperatures that are unbearably hot for most other people. I grew up and learned about the dangers of rattlesnakes and scorpions, bobcats and coyotes and javelina. I have experiences and memories that I think only other Arizonans can relate to.

 Saguaro cacti at the Saguaro National Forest

 More saguaro on the side of a mountain

 View from the side of a mountain at the Saguaro National Forest, about halfway up.

 Mountain goats (which can be found in Arizona) at the Sonoran desert museum

 A brown bear at the Sonoran desert museum. Brown bear can be found in the mountains of Arizona (though they occasionally wander down into towns that are near mountains).

 A Mexican Grey Wolf at the Sonoran Desert Museum. Once they roamed the land, but do to killing by farmers and ranchers they have nearly gone extinct. Their habitat used to be Mexico, Arizona, and New Mexico, but there are hardly any left in the wild. The only way to see them is to come to somewhere (like this desert museum) that is raising them in captivity.

 One of the many owls that can be found in Arizona, at the Sonoran desert museum

 A coyote at the desert museum. Coyotes are much smaller and thinner than the wolves. They are very timid animals, but can be found all over Southern Arizona. They are known for their howling at the moon.

A bobcat, found in the mountains of Arizona, at the desert museum