Slither, Swim, Saunter, or Sprout - Owyhee Country, Oregon - Flora and Fauna Information Signs on Waymarking.com

This is one of a group of interpretive signs in the kiosk at the Vale Project Interpretive Site. This sign is on the front side of the kiosk and deals with the flora and fauna of the Owyhee Country.

Marker Name: Slither, Swim, Saunter, or Sprout
Marker Text: Life on the Range and River comes in all forms, sizes and strategies. Each plant or animal adapts in special ways to the changing seasons and weather conditions in order to find food, shelter, sun, or shade.

High Desert Plants have a greater challenge because they must stay in one place. Their leaves are often furry or thick to hold moisture. Roots may spread out wide or push deep into the soil to maximize water intake.

Some flowering plants sprout after a spring shower, bloom and go to seed all in the course of a few days or weeks. The seeds remain dormant until next years rain. Other plants only grow near seeps or springs, under rocks or on slopes facing away from the sun.

Thorny branches, pungent odors, and bitter chemicals in their leaves help protect plants from being eaten or trampled. Each plant, regardless of how common or rare, has adapted over thousands of years and coutless generations to life in this harsh environment.

Animals of this Sage Steppe habitat adapt mainly by moving around. Seeking out cool moist places away from the hot sun in the summer, or sunning on a warm rock on a brisk winter’s day, antelope, deer, rabbits or lizards must be constantly watchful for predators.

Most wildlife of the Great Basin have physically adapted to blend or constrast with their habitat as needed. Pronghorn Antelope use their white rump patch as a signal to other antelope in the area. Should danger appear on the scene, they bound off quickly. The movement of their white rump is a clear sign for others to be on the lookout.

The canyons and rivers are excellent places to see hawks, golden eagles, falcons and swallows that nest and perch on ledges and in rock cavities where they can avoid the hot sun. Most of the birds in Owyhee Country travel to warmer climates in winter, returning with the spring rains in April or May. Owyhee Country is home to a great diversity of plants and animals including several threatened, endangered or sensitive species or plant communities.

The Owyhee Wild and Scenic Rivers, Jordan Craters, and Honeycombs Research Natural Area (RNAs) and the Leslie Gulch Area of Critical Environmental Concern (ACEC) are specially designated to provide habitat protection for these and other members of this desert ecosystem.