RICHARD FOX STUDIO

Red-Spotted Toad

17"Hx12"Wx4.5"H

This small resident of the Southwest  United States and Mexico can be found from Death Valley to 6,5oo ft. Fairly common throughout its range, this amphibian inhabits areas near rain puddles or rocky ponds and stream sides.

Small Worlds-Desert Kangaroo Rat

12" H x 17" W x 4.5 " D

    This rodent is one of the largest members of this species and inhabits some of the most arid regions of southern California and Arizona. As with most desert dwellers, all it's water needs are derived from it's diet of seeds and plants.

Small Worlds-Western Tanager

16" H x 12" W x 5.5" D

   A brilliant flash of color seen high in a conifer is a sure sign of this beautiful bird. Fairly common throughout the mountain West, it has no notable song and seems to posses no territorial demands.

Small Worlds-Collared Lizard

14" H x 12" W x 6" D

   A large reptile ranging from Illinois to Utah and south to Mexico, it prefers hilly terrain with abundant rock outcroppings. It is diurnal but very wary and territorial and will bite if approached too closely. When fleeing predators this lizard will run upright on it's hind legs reminding one of a long extinct ancestor.

16 " H x 12 " W x 5.5 " D

Sometimes called " clown bird ", this handsome bird lives in small, noisy family groups and all share in raising the young. As it's name implies, it collects acorns and then stuffs them in holes, cracks, bark crevices of trees, fence posts, and utility poles.

16 " H x 12 " W x 4.5 " D

A fairly common lizard that is found in arid regions from Washington to Southern California, Arizona, New Mexico, and into West Texas. They are known to be voracious consumers of insects. It's most identifying feature is a single black or dark blue spot behind each foreleg.

12 " H x16 " W x 4.5 " D

This beautiful fish inhabits coral reefs in the Indo-Australian Archipelago, and like all reef dwellers world wide, it's populations are under pressure from habitat loss.

12 " H x 14 " W x 5 " D

This common North American turtle prefers slow moving streams and shallow rivers with rocks and logs on which it can often be observed basking, sometimes with other painted turtles. Young turtles are carnivorous and later become vegetarian. Like other turtle species, many are taken from the wild and sold as pets.

16 " H x 12 " W x 4 " D

This beautifully patterned amphibian is common throughout the northern regions of North America except for the Pacific coast. It can thrive in habitats from desert regions to mountains. A nocturnal species, it uses its camouflage and a zigzag leaping pattern to escape predators.

12 " H x 16 " W x 5 " D

This small mammal is one of the most abundant and prolific breeders in North America. It is found in a variety of habitats including pastures, meadows, marshes, and gardens. Known as a voracious feeder, it can consume it's own weight in a 24 hour period. Being so ubiquitous, many animals , including birds, depend on this vole for food.

12 " H x 14 " W x 3 " D

This small reptile can be found from South Dakota to Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. It prefers sandy soils where it burrows headfirst to escape predators. Insects and spiders makeup the bulk of it's diet.

Small Worlds- Loggerhead Shrike

12"Hx14"Wx5"D

Somewhat common across the southern U.S., populations of this striking predatory songbird are declining due to habitat loss and increases in human populations. It feeds primarily on insects but will hunt small rodents and reptiles. It often impales its prey on thorns and barbed wire, making it easier to consume, hence its nickname "butcher bird".