Animals on Mt. Lemmon

The white-nosed coati (Nasua narica) is a long-snouted, ring-tailed cousin of the raccoon — and Summerhaven's most beloved wild resident. Females and young travel in loud, curious troops of up to 20 or more; adult males are mostly solitary. They are active by day, dig for grubs with their long noses, climb well, and will happily investigate bird feeders, trash cans, and cabin porches.

Locals joke that a tree full of coatis looks like a lemon tree — hence the nickname "Mt. Lemmon lemons." They are wild animals: never feed them, and give a troop plenty of space, especially when babies are around.

Coati troops forage for fallen fruit through Summerhaven in late summer.

The Santa Catalina Mountains support a healthy population of American black bears. They are active mainly from spring through fall, and summer visitors to Summerhaven see them most often — usually at a distance, crossing the Catalina Highway or working the edge of the forest. Arizona black bears are smaller than their northern relatives and can be brown or cinnamon in color.

Bears are drawn to easy food. Never leave trash out overnight, keep cabin doors and car windows closed, and never feed a bear. If you see one, give it space, keep dogs leashed and close, and back away slowly — never run.

The Coues deer (Odocoileus virginianus couesi) is Arizona's small mountain whitetail — a dainty deer of only about 100 pounds. It is the large mammal visitors see most often in Summerhaven, especially in the early morning and at dusk, grazing in meadows and along the forest edge. Fawns arrive in late spring and early summer. Drive slowly after dark; deer regularly cross village roads.

Abert's squirrels are the elegant gray squirrels of the ponderosa pine forest, named for the black ear tufts that give them a tasseled look. They are pine specialists — they eat the seeds, buds, and inner bark of ponderosas and build bulky twig nests high in the canopy. You will see them around the ski area, at Rose Canyon, and on the grounds of Mt. Lemmon Hotel itself.

Squirrels are busy all four seasons — watch for them on every trail.

The chunky, mottled rock squirrel is the biggest ground squirrel on the mountain and a regular at picnic tables and around Rose Canyon Lake. Cliff chipmunks are the small striped darters that skitter across trails with their tails straight up. Both are fun to watch and both should be left alone — they bite, and they will happily steal your sandwich given half a chance.

Desert bighorn sheep live on the range's rugged west flank (Pusch Ridge), visible from Tucson; you would be lucky to spot one from the highway.

Mountain lions are here too — they are the top predator of the Catalinas — but they are extremely shy and sightings are rare. If you ever meet one: do not run, make yourself look big, speak firmly, and give it an escape route. Keep children and pets close at dawn and dusk.

After dark, a different cast comes out. The ringtail — Arizona's state mammal — is a cat-sized, huge-eyed creature sometimes called the "miner's cat"; it may hunt moths on your cabin porch at night. Gray foxes are small, dog-like foxes that can climb trees. Raccoons and skunks patrol the village looking for easy meals. Enjoy them from a distance and keep your trash secured.

Turkeys gobble at dawn, bears come out of their dens, deer fawns arrive, hummingbirds migrate through, and coatis get busy. Wildflower bloom brings butterflies and bees.

Peak wildlife season: coati troops with babies, turkey poults, bears on the move, and maximum birdsong. Mornings and evenings are coolest and most active.

Turkeys work the wildflower meadows from late summer through fall.

Acorns and pine cones ripen, squirrels stock up, bears fatten for winter, and migratory birds pass through on their way south. Crisp air makes for great hiking and watching.

Deer and turkeys gather in the village, Abert's squirrels stay busy in the pines, winter birds (juncos, nuthatches, jays, ravens) visit feeders, and bears mostly sleep — but tracks in the snow tell their stories.

Yes — American black bears live throughout the Santa Catalina Mountains and are seen in and near Summerhaven most often in summer and fall. They avoid people when possible. Secure your food and trash, keep pets leashed, and enjoy them from a distance.

Those are white-nosed coatis (coatimundis). They are raccoon relatives that travel in troops during the day. They are a highlight of any Mt. Lemmon visit — watch them dig and climb, but do not feed them.

Please do not. Feeding wildlife makes animals lose their fear of humans, teaches them to approach people, and can make them aggressive or sick. It also leads to problem animals that have to be removed. Watch, photograph, and enjoy — that is the whole show.

Yes. The Arizona black rattlesnake lives in the sky island mountains, including the Catalinas, up to about 9,000 feet. It is shy and typically moves away when given space. Watch where you step, keep dogs leashed, and never try to move or kill a snake.

Early morning and the hour before sunset are by far the best — that is when deer, turkeys, bears, and most birds are most active. After dark, look for ringtails, foxes, raccoons, and skunks (from a safe distance).

Absolutely — 12 of our 21 cabins are pet-friendly, with no pet fee and up to 3 pets, plus an on-site dog park. Please keep dogs leashed outdoors: it protects them from bears and deer and keeps wildlife wild. See our dog-friendly Mt. Lemmon guide.

Not usually — black bear encounters here almost always end with the bear leaving. The best "bear spray" is noise, distance, secured food, and leashed pets. If a bear approaches, back away slowly and speak firmly; never run.