As we continue our Desert Plants series, learn more about the Arizona Rosewood, Vauquelinia californica. A drought and cold-tolerant native plant of the Sonoran Desert. It produces an evergreen shelter for some wildlife, and can also be used as an effective natural hedge to replace oleanders, which are toxic to people and animals. | Arizona Illustrated

One minute of a desert tortoise walking for your viewing pleasure, coming right up. 🐢 Desert tortoises are tough survivors and have several adaptations that help them thrive in the dry heat. Their flattened front legs allow them to easily dig and create burrows to keep warm on cold nights and keep cool during the hot summer. They can also store water in their bladder and save it for emergencies. They obtain most of their moisture through food but still need a good drink every so often. When it