The Mutillidae are a family of more than 7,000 species of wasps whose wingless females resemble large, hairy ants. Their common name velvet ant refers to their resemblance to an ant, and their dense pile of hair, which most often is bright scarlet or orange, but may also be black, white, silver, or gold. Their bright colors serve as aposematic signals. They are known for their extremely painful stings,

The desert tortoise is a species of tortoise in the family Testudinidae. The species is native to the Mojave and Sonoran Deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, and to the Sinaloan thornscrub of northwestern Mexico

Also known as Hadrurus arizonensis, it’s one of North America’s largest scorpions. It can grow up to 6 inches long. 

This scorpion has a dark brown or black body with tan or yellowish hairs covering its legs and body. 

It has two large pincers at the front of its body, followed by a long, thick tail that ends in a venomous stinger. Its size and hairy appearance make it a formidable predator.

The red racer, also known as the red coachwhip, is a subspecies of the coachwhip or whipsnake. The name should give you some idea of how fast they are. These snakes race along the ground with surprising speed when running away from threats or hunting for food

 the desert blister beetle or master blister beetle, is a species of blister beetle found in southwestern North America. Typically 16 to 33 mm in length, L. magister has a striking red head, legs and prothorax, with black elytra.

Red admiral larvae are about 1 ¼ inches (3.5 cm) long. They are usually black with white spots and spines. They also have yellow markings along their sides. Red admiral Butterflies in Southern California have a flight period lasting from March through November.

Raccoons are common throughout California, but they are particularly abundant in southern California. They are attracted to urban cities like Palm Springs and suburban areas like Desert Hot Springs.

Raccoons are medium-sized animals that are 12 to 35+ lbs. and 20 - 40 inches long. They have a bushy tail with 4 to 7 black rings. Their fur has a salt and pepper appearance with a black mask marking on a whitish face this one was trapped in La Quinta, Ca.

California Seed Harvester Ants (Pogonomyrmex californicus) are found throughout the southwest, including southern California. They are red in color and about 1/4th of an inch in size. 

 Raccoons are nocturnal animals that prefer wooded areas near water and natural habitats. They den in: Hollow trees, Ground burrows, Brush piles, Rock crevices.

The striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) is the most common skunk species in California. They are about the size of a house cat, weighing between four and 10 pounds. They have long black fur with two broad white stripes down their back. 

 They also have a bushy tail, short legs, and a small pointed face. 

These two were trapped from underneeth a home in Indian Wells, Ca.

Striped skunks are omnivores and eat a variety of foods, including: 

Insects, such as grasshoppers, beetles, crickets, and caterpillars, they will also eat  mice, Bird eggs, and even cat and dog food

Chuckwallas are found in southeastern California, southern Nevada, southwestern Utah, western Arizona, and northwestern Mexico. They are the second largest lizard native to California, after the Gila monster. 

Chuckwallas are found in the Mojave and Sonoran deserts at elevations ranging from sea level to 1,370 m. They generally live around dark rocks, such as iron-stained granites or lavas

The California mantis (Stagmomantis californica) is a species of praying mantis native to the Western United States. They are generally found in the drier, warmer areas of southern California, like the Coachella valley