http://www.papillon.com/grand-canyon-national-park | The Grand Canyon is one of the world’s most spectacular sights, featuring diverse plant and animal communities. A Grand Canyon helicopter tour is one of the best ways to see this geological marvel.

1. WONDERS OF THE
SOUTHWEST
PLANTS & WILDLIFE
IN GRAND CANYON
NATIONAL PARK

2. AN ECOSYSTEM TEEMING WITH LIFE
One of the planet’s most
spectacular sights, Grand
Canyon National Park is a feast
for the eyes and hosts a
wonderful diversity of flora
(plants) and fauna (animals).
Grand Canyon National Park is
home to:
• 129 different plant
communities
• Nearly 150 mammal
species
We’ll take a look at some of the
fascinating plants and animals
that call this area home.

3. COYOTE
(CANIS LATRANS)
The coyote has been known for centuries by
many Native American groups as “the trickster”
for its cleverness and sneaky antics.
Highly social animals, coyotes are known for
their raucous chorus of yips, yelps and howls,
often heard at dusk.
Turn your head away for just a moment and you
might miss these wandering creatures– coyotes
can run up to 40 miles per hour.
Interesting Fact: To avoid being detected by
predators like bears and wolves, coyotes will
sometimes “tiptoe” to make as little noise as
possible.

4. YUCCA
(HESPEROYUCCA WHIPPLEI)
Yucca whipplei is a desert plant with a
distinctive cluster of white flowers that
sprouts up through the center of the
plant.
The plant’s leaves are pointed with
sharp ends; the flower cluster blooms
only after the plant is 5+ years old, after
which point the plant usually dies.
Interesting fact: Yucca whipplei was
used extensively by the Native
Americans. Fiber from the leaves was
used to make sandals and rope, and the
flowers, seeds, and fruits were prepared
and eaten.

5. CALIFORNIA CONDOR
(GYMNOGYPS CALIFORNIANUS)
California condors are considered
one of the rarest birds in the world,
and they were once extinct in the
wild.
In recent years they have been
successfully reintroduced into Utah
and Arizona, including Grand Canyon
and Zion National Parks.
Interesting facts: Condors have the
largest wingspan of any bird, up to 9.5
feet and can weigh up to 23 pounds.
Unlike many other bird species, males
and females are identical in size and
plumage.

6. Unmistakable for their large,
curved horns (males only),
bighorn sheep are also known
for their impressive ability to
scale steep mountain cliffs.
During mating season male
bighorns (rams) engage in
fierce head-butting battles to
win over the females.
Interesting fact: Double-layered
skulls allow male
bighorns to take blows to the
head of 400 pounds per
square inch.
DESERT BIGHORN SHEEP
(OVIS CANADENSIS NELSONI)

7. DESERT OCOTILLO
(F. SPLENDENS)
Ocotillo is a distinctive-looking
desert plant that
blooms spectacular
clusters of red flowers in
spring and summer.
Native Americans have
traditionally used
different parts of the
ocotillo plant to relieve
fatigue, stop bleeding
over fresh wounds, and
to alleviate varicose
veins, urinary tract
infections, and coughing.
Interesting fact:
Ocotillo flowers are
sometimes used in
flowers and herbal teas.

8. BANDED GILA
MONSTER
(H. S. CINCTUM)
Although banded gila
monsters are venomous,
they are slow moving and
are rarely defensive unless
harassed or threatened.
Gila monsters are 9-14
inches long from snout to
tail and eat insects, small
mammals, reptiles and
their eggs, bird eggs and
nestlings, especially of
ground-nesters like quail.
Interesting facts: Gila
monsters are the only
venomous lizard in the
United States. They can
survive on just 3-4 meals
per year and store fat in
their tails for later use.

9. MOUNTAIN QUAIL
(OREORTYX PICTUS)
Mountain quail are large ground-nesting
birds with a distinctive
long plume on top of their heads.
Unlike many other bird and
mammal species, mountain quail
chicks are well-developed and
mobile right after birth, allowing
them to leave the nest and
explore and forage.
Interesting fact: Mountain quail
are the only member of the quail
family to migrate seasonally,
going downslope during the
winter months.

10. MANY WAYS TO
SEE THE SIGHTS
Grand Canyon National
Park can be explored in
several different ways,
including:
• Aerially, as with a
Grand Canyon
helicopter tour
• On foot
• By raft
• On a bus tour
All of these modes offer
different benefits and
views of the spectacular
canyon and surrounding
desert and mountain
environments.

11. Since 1965 Papillon has been the world's oldest and largest sightseeing
company, flying an estimated 600,000 passengers a year on its daily tours to
the Grand Canyon. With over forty unique excursions featuring spectacular
sights of the Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, Monument Valley, Page/Lake Powell,
and unforgettable views of the Grand Canyon, Papillon is proud to offer guests
an unparalleled perspective of one of the world's greatest natural wonders.
Visit www.papillon.com for tour information or call (888) 635-7272.