Desert darlings: Discovering the wonders of Osoyoos
The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a must-visit for witnessing and understanding this vulnerable part of Canada
The orchards surrounding the town of Osoyoos are famous for their plums. But in this southern part of British Columbia lies a fragile ecosystem unlike any other. It is the only semi-arid shrubland in Canada—a desert. This area is home to hundreds of bird species, including the California quail, burrowing owl, and numerous migratory birds. There are snakes, such as rattlesnakes, and fourteen species of bats, including the white-coloured pallid bats with large ears that function as radiators that pump blood through them to cool themselves. The desert also supports badgers, bobcats, and Nuttall’s cottontail, North America’s smallest rabbit.
The ecosystem is fragile, and the people at the Osoyoos Desert Centre play an important role in protecting it through conservation, restoration, and education. The desert sits in the rain shadow of the Cascade Mountains, creating a hot, sunny, and dry climate zone known as the “Osoyoos Arid Biotic Zone.” Canada’s warmest annual temperatures, the warmest freshwater lake, and the lowest annual precipitation can be found here. They receive an average of 2,039 hours of sunlight each year, with 25 cm of annual rainfall. The summer temperature averages around 28°C, while the average winter temperature is about 1.3°C. This rare antelope-brush ecosystem is an endangered habitat filled with beauty and wonders.
The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a must-visit for witnessing and understanding this vulnerable part of Canada. (Pictured: Experiencing Canada host Nathan Colman with Jayme Friedt, Executive Director, Osoyoos Desert Centre)
They didn’t feel creative when naming the scorpion that inhabited the desert. The Northern Scorpion is the northernmost scorpion on the planet. They prefer dry climates near sagebrush, one of the hardy plants that call the desert home. The scorpions emerge from their burrows in the evening and will not venture out if the temperature is below 10°C. They expend most of their energy on survival rather than on producing venom, so their mild venom is not considered lethal to humans. Under ultraviolet light, these scorpions glow a greenish, alien-like yellow.
The plant species that fill the desert can tolerate the unforgiving and dry conditions. These plants play an active role in this ecosystem, providing food and shelter for wildlife found only here. For example, the Behr’s hairstreak butterfly depends on antelope brush for survival. It is the only plant this little butterfly will lay its eggs on. The Osoyoos Desert Centre is a must-visit for witnessing and understanding this vulnerable part of Canada.
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