[yorkie]

It's not just the small critters found in AZ. Along with bob cats and mountain lions, just 25 miles north of where I live, this critter has made some people a bit nervous:

Arizona black bears live in the thick timber at higher elevations most of the year, but during the months of August through September (our typical hunting season) bears come out of the high country in search of fat-building food sources. Some Arizona black bears travel to the lower desert elevations of their mountain ranges looking for prickly pear cactus fruit, which is very sweet and high in calories. Other bears may travel to areas with a high concentration of acorns, juniper berries or manzanita berries.

[MEG33]

I kinda like my smaller critters..I would not want him on my patio.
;o)

[OESY]

Bear Alert!

The Arizona State Department of Fish and Wildlife is advising hikers, hunters, fishermen, and golfers to take extra precautions and to be on the alert for bears while in forest areas.

They advise people to wear noise-producing devices such as whistles or little bells on their clothing to alert but not startle the bears unexpectedly.

They also advise you to carry pepper spray in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch for signs of bear activity.

People should be able to recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear droppings.

Black bear droppings are smaller and contain berries and possibly squirrel fur.

Grizzly bear droppings have little bells and whistles in them and they smell like pepper spray.

.

[Mama_Bear]

Hmmmm.........I don't think of "bears" when I think of Arizona. I think more along the line of gila monsters and rattlesnakes. LOL

That one looks rather fierce!