Phoenix, Arizona

===Flora and fauna===
While some of the native flora and fauna of the [[Sonoran Desert]] can be found within Phoenix city limits, most are found in the suburbs and the undeveloped desert areas that surround the city. Native mammal species include [[coyote]], [[Collared Peccary|javelina]], [[bobcat]], [[Cougar|mountain lion]], [[Sylvilagus audubonii|desert cottontail rabbit]], [[jackrabbit]], [[antelope ground squirrel]], [[mule deer]], [[ring-tailed cat|ringtail]], [[coati]], and multiple species of bats, such as the [[Mexican free-tailed bat]] and [[western pipistrelle]], that roost in and around the city. There are many species of native birds, including [[Costa's hummingbird]], [[Anna's hummingbird]], [[Gambel's quail]], [[Gila woodpecker]], [[mourning dove]], [[white-winged dove]], the [[greater roadrunner]], the [[cactus wren]], and many species of raptors, including [[falcons]], [[hawks]], [[owls]], [[vultures]] (such as the [[turkey vulture]] and [[black vulture]]), and [[eagle]]s, including the [[golden eagle|golden]] and the [[bald eagle]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/things-to-do/wildlife |title=The Wildlife of the Phoenix Mountain Preserves |publisher=phoenix.gov |access-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919085511/https://www.phoenix.gov/parks/trails/things-to-do/wildlife |archive-date=September 19, 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_az_wildlife.shtml |title=Living With Wildlife – Arizona Wildlife |publisher=Arizona Game and Fish Department |access-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222011519/http://www.azgfd.gov/w_c/urban_az_wildlife.shtml |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref>

The greater Phoenix region is home to the only thriving feral population of [[rosy-faced lovebird]]s in the U.S. This bird is a popular [[birdcage]] pet, native to southwestern Africa. Feral birds were first observed living outdoors in 1987, probably escaped or released pets, and by 2010 the Greater Phoenix population had grown to about 950 birds. These [[lovebird]]s prefer older neighborhoods where they nest under untrimmed, dead [[palm tree]] fronds.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://azfo.org/journal/Rosy-facedLovebird2011.html |title=Status of the Rosy-faced Lovebird in Phoenix, Arizona |first1=Kurt A. |last1=Radamaker |first2=Troy E. |last2=Corman |date=September 15, 2011 |work=Arizona Field Ornithologists |access-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref><ref name="PF-Lovebird">{{cite web |last=Clark |first=Greg |title=Peach-faced Lovebird Range Expansion Data in Greater Phoenix, Arizona Area |url=http://mirror-pole.com/collpage/pf_loveb/pfl_1.htm |access-date=February 27, 2011}}</ref>

The area is also home to a plethora of native reptile species including the [[Crotalus atrox|Western diamondback rattlesnake]], [[Crotalus cerastes cercobombus|Sonoran sidewinder]], several other types of rattlesnakes, [[Micruroides|Sonoran coral snake]], dozens of species of non-venomous snakes (including the [[Sonoran gopher snake]] and the [[California kingsnake]]), the [[gila monster]], [[Sceloporus magister|desert spiny lizard]], several types of [[Teiidae|whiptail lizards]], the [[chuckwalla]], [[desert horned lizard]], [[western banded gecko]], [[Sonora mud turtle]], and the [[desert tortoise]]. Native amphibian species include the [[Scaphiopus couchii|Couch's spadefoot toad]], [[Chiricahua leopard frog]], and the [[Incilius alvarius|Sonoran desert toad]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.phoenixsnakeremoval.com/snakes-of-phoenix.php |title=Common Snakes of the Phoenix Area |publisher=Phoenix Snake Removal |access-date=February 10, 2014}}</ref>

Phoenix and the surrounding areas are also home to a wide variety of native invertebrates including the [[Arizona bark scorpion]], [[giant desert hairy scorpion]], [[Arizona blond tarantula]], [[Sonoran Desert centipede]], [[tarantula hawk wasp]], [[solifugae|camel spider]], and [[amblypygi|tailless whip scorpion]]. Of great concern is the presence of [[Africanized bee]]s which can be extremely dangerous—even lethal—when provoked.

The Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert (of which Phoenix is a part) has "the most structurally diverse flora in the United States." One of the most well-known types of succulents, the [[Saguaro|giant saguaro cactus]], is found throughout the city and its neighboring environs. Other native species are the [[Stenocereus thurberi|organpipe]], [[Barrel cactus|barrel]], [[Fishhook cactus|fishhook]], [[Pachycereus schottii|senita]], [[Opuntia|prickly pear]] and [[Cylindropuntia|cholla]] cacti; [[Fouquieria|ocotillo]]; [[Parkinsonia aculeata|Palo Verde trees]] and [[Parkinsonia microphylla|foothill]] and [[Parkinsonia florida|blue paloverde]]; [[Washingtonia filifera|California fan palm]]; [[agave]]s; [[Yucca elata|soaptree yucca]], [[Hesperoyucca whipplei|Spanish bayonet]], [[Dasylirion wheeleri|desert spoon]], and [[Hesperaloe parviflora|red yucca]]; [[Olneya|ironwood]]; [[mesquite]]; and the [[Larrea tridentata|creosote bush]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/swbiodiversity.php |title=Sonoran Desert Region Flora – Maricopa County |publisher=Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum |access-date=February 10, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222050828/http://www.desertmuseum.org/center/swbiodiversity.php |archive-date=February 22, 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/azso/body.1_div.4.html |title=Natural Vegetation of Arizona |publisher=University of Arizona Library |access-date=February 10, 2014 |archive-date=February 24, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140224024058/http://southwest.library.arizona.edu/azso/body.1_div.4.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Many non-native plants also thrive in Phoenix including, but not limited to, the [[date palm]], [[Washingtonia robusta|Mexican fan palm]], [[Phoenix canariensis|pineapple palm]], [[Pinus brutia|Afghan pine]], [[Pinus canariensis|Canary Island pine]], [[Pachycereus marginatus|Mexican fencepost cactus]], [[Pachycereus pringlei|cardon cactus]], [[acacia]], [[eucalyptus]], [[aloe]], [[bougainvillea]], [[Nerium|oleander]], [[lantana]], [[Melaleuca citrina|bottlebrush]], [[olive]], [[citrus]], and [[Caesalpinia pulcherrima|red bird of paradise]].