Mesquite trees are also special in that they produce an edible and nutritious fruit. In late spring, tiny, yellow flower spikes hang from the branches. These develop into yellow bean pods by late summer. Many different animals use the beans for food. Mesquite beans were also a major food source for the Shoshoni.
WHAT DID THE SHOSHONI DO HERE?
Shoshoni Indians have lived in Death Valley for many years—migrating to the mountains for the hot summer months and returning to the valley for the winter. Their movements were related to supplies of food and water and influence of temperature. It is more likely that areas such as these sand dunes were visited for food gathering rather than as a place of residence. To survive in the desert, the Shoshoni had to learn which plants to eat, where they grew and when to harvest them. They also learned which animals were reliable food sources—where they could be found in abundance and when they were active.
Use your imagination—how well could you survive in this wild area? Where and how would you find water? Which plants and animals would you eat?
WHICH ANIMALS LIVE HERE?
KANGAROO RAT
BURROW
Guess which animal lives in which hole! How large is the entrance? The size of the entrance suggests the size of the animal. How many other openings are nearby? Often escape exits save rodents from predators. Are there recent tracks nearby to indicate it is an active burrow, or is it covered with sand and debris blown in by the wind?