Life in the Food Chain as Seen from the Verde Canyon Railroad
Soaring high above the vermillion cliffs of the Verde Canyon, the adult bald eagle fears no natural predator. From the Verde Canyon Railroad, he can be seen cruising the river or perched motionless on a nearby branch. At all times he is waiting for the right opportunity to prey upon one of the other canyon inhabitants who plays another key role in the ecological balance of the Verde Canyon.
All inhabitants of the Verde Canyon are part of the evolution of the canyon and its rich riparian habitat. Riparian refers to that which sustains life, and because of the lifeline of the Verde River, the Verde Canyon is one of Arizona’s most distinguished riparian ecosystems. Even the smallest of insects in the canyon serve as a main course for fish, birds and small mammals, as well as a universal snack for almost all desert creatures. The bass that leaps from the river to devour the dragonfly as a predator now becomes prey to any number of larger species, either furred or feathered. And thus, the food chain creates one more link.
The many species of snakes inhabiting the Verde Canyon bring small rodents to death’s door, but while waiting to strike, the snake is vulnerable to an air attack from an eagle, hawk or owl; or may be stalked by an elusive mountain lion, coyote or fox.
The coyote, considered to be near the top of the Verde Canyon food chain, is a shrewd hunter that indiscriminately feeds on smaller animals. Equal to the coyote in hunting skills, but smaller in stature, is the fox. As both prey on smaller animals and rodents, they compete in the lush canyon wilderness, complicating the food chain and adding new links. The fox, however, must be cautious, as the ever-diligent eagle may consider him the perfect size for a tasty meal.
The occasional mountain lion that lords over smaller predators in the canyon will leave leftovers from his favorite dinner of elk or deer which becomes easy-pickings for those further down the food chain. None are too proud to feast on the lion’s prize and keep the food chain in constant motion. Luckily for many in the Verde Canyon, the black bear and elk are no threat to the smaller of creatures, preferring to subsist on berries and roots.
Whether the creatures of the Verde Canyon live in the cool, green waters of the Verde River, the rugged landscape that reaches from its shores, or from a roost that rises toward the azure sky, all of them have something in common: Smaller is prey to larger, and only the strongest survive. And, for every one of them, the most dangerous predator is man.
The Verde Canyon Railroad is a strong believer that it has a duty to coexist successfully within this lush, riparian environment, as it has done for over a century, without interruption to the natural progression of the food chain as it evolves. The Railroad is proud to be part of this unique and lively habitat.
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