Waypoint- Limiting Factors

Space Requirements (density independent)- Cacti have a dominating presence in the desert. Cacti literally dominate where ever they are because they have roots that spread out from the cactus not far from the surface. This is an adaptation that lets the cactus collect more water during the rare periods of rain but prevent things from growing near them.  

Competition in Ranks (density dependent)- Some animals compete within their own groups for rank. The coyotes fight to see which is stronger because only the alphas, who are the strongest, are allowed to breed and are the first to eat. This infighting increase when the pack hits hard times of being unable to feed the entire pack on average kills.

 Competition outside of species (density independent)- Both humans and coyotes hunt some of the same animals. In this case the prey is big horn sheep
 Growth (density dependant)- Plants like these wild flowers grow in patches. The reason for the patchy growth pattern is because they can't get the necessary nutrients in to large of groupings.

Waypoint- Coevolution

 Mimicry- The king snake (left) uses mimicry to look and act like the highly venomous coral snake (right) to avoid being a meal for others.
 Camofloage- This horned viper is a master of camofloage that uses it to avoid predators while on the move in the desert and will borrow under the sand leaving only its eyes above the sand to watch for prey. It preys on small vertibrates and is more noticable at their level than from above when it is above ground.

Waypoint- Predation

 Coyotes hunt rabbits, rats, lizards, birds, antelopes, big horn sheep, and livestock
 Mountain lions hunt rabbits, birds, sheep, antelopes, and livestock
 Scorpions hunt insects, small lizaerds, and other arachnids.

Waypoint Endangered Species

The Peninsular Big Horn Sheep is on the endangered species list due to disease, predation, habitat loss and other human interference. As humans go further into their habitat the sheep suffers. Humans hunt it for sport and develop the lands they live on which is taking it's toll on the sheep.