WEBVTT 00:00.626 --> 00:04.959 align:start FUNDING FORTHE DESERT SPEAKSHAS BEEN PROVIDED BY 00:04.959 --> 00:07.918 align:start ASARCO INC. AN INTEGRATED PRODUCER OF NON-FERROUS METALS 00:07.918 --> 00:10.626 align:start AND OTHER INDUSTRIAL MINERALS AND PRODUCTS. 00:10.626 --> 00:14.834 align:start ASARCO INC. ADDING VALUE TO NATURE'S RESOURCES. 00:14.834 --> 00:17.999 align:start AND HEADQUARTERED IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, INTERGROUP 00:17.999 --> 00:20.959 align:start HEALTHCARE CORPORATION IS A MANAGED HEALTHCARE 00:20.959 --> 00:24.292 align:start COMPANY SERVING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION MEMBERS. 00:24.292 --> 00:27.751 align:start AND BY, THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH HERITAGE FUND, 00:27.751 --> 00:33.542 align:start ARIZONA'S LOTTERY DOLLARS WORKING FOR WILDLIFE. 00:33.542 --> 01:07.209 align:start [MUSIC AND NATURE SOUNDS] 01:07.209 --> 01:12.542 align:start BAJA CALIFORNIA IS ONE OF THE LONGEST PENINSULAS IN THE WORLD. 01:12.542 --> 01:16.709 align:start LONG AND NARROW. BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE IT 01:16.709 --> 01:19.417 align:start MERELY AN EXTRA SLICE OF MEXICO ON THE SIDE. 01:19.417 --> 01:22.584 align:start IT'S GOT ITS OWN BRAND OF SEVERAL KEY INGREDIENTS: 01:22.584 --> 01:26.501 align:start CLIMATE, HISTORY, EVEN THE WAY IT GOT ITS SHAPE IN 01:26.501 --> 01:29.999 align:start THE FIRST PLACE. SO THE BAJA'S DESERTS ARE JUST NOT 01:29.999 --> 01:33.000 align:start QUITE THE SAME AS WHAT WE KNOW ON THE MAINLAND. 01:33.000 --> 01:38.999 align:start THERE'S A FEW JOKERS IN THE DECK. 01:38.999 --> 01:42.667 align:start HOW BAJA BECAME A PENINSULA IS REALLY ABOUT TWO EVENTS 01:42.667 --> 01:46.709 align:start IN TIME. THE OBVIOUS PART, THE SPLITTING OFF OF A NARROW 01:46.709 --> 01:50.417 align:start PIECE OF THE MAINLAND, IS REALLY THE SECOND STAGE. 01:50.417 --> 01:52.999 align:start WHAT HAPPENED FIRST HAS TO DO WITH 01:52.999 --> 01:56.751 align:start PLATE TECTONICS, THE MOVEMENT OF THOSE HUGE PATCHES 01:56.751 --> 01:59.501 align:start THAT MAKE UP ALL OF THE EARTH'S CRUST. 01:59.501 --> 02:02.000 align:start BAJA LIES RIGHT ALONG A LINE 02:02.000 --> 02:04.334 align:start WHERE TWO PLATES MET AND COLLIDED. 02:04.334 --> 02:07.709 align:start FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS THE PACIFIC PLATE FORCED 02:07.709 --> 02:10.042 align:start ITSELF UNDER THE NORTH AMERICAN PLATE. 02:10.042 --> 02:13.876 align:start THAT CRUMPLED THE COAST AND PUSHED ROCKS UPWARD TO 02:13.876 --> 02:17.918 align:start MAKE MOUNTAINS. MORE MOUNTAINS SHOWED UP AS VOLCANOES. 02:17.918 --> 02:22.501 align:start THEN, LATER ON, IT WAS THIS ROCKY STRIP THAT SPLIT AWAY. 02:22.501 --> 02:25.918 align:start THE MOUNTAINS AND THE COAST OF BAJA CALIFORNIA 02:25.918 --> 02:29.334 align:start ARE EXTREMELY RUGGED AND IRREGULAR. 02:29.334 --> 02:31.876 align:start THE REASON THAT THEY'RE LIKE THAT IS SIMPLY THAT 02:31.876 --> 02:34.999 align:start EROSION HASN'T HAD A CHANCE TO WORK ON THEM FOR VERY LONG YET. 02:34.999 --> 02:38.125 align:start THESE ARE VERY RECENT CHANGES FROM A GEOLOGICAL 02:38.125 --> 02:41.292 align:start STANDPOINT, WE'RE TALKING ONLY TEN MILLION YEARS, 02:41.292 --> 02:44.209 align:start AND DURING THAT PERIOD OF TIME, 02:44.209 --> 02:47.334 align:start THERE JUST HASN'T BEEN ENOUGH TIME FOR EROSION TO 02:47.334 --> 02:50.876 align:start WEAR THEM DOWN AND GET THE SOFT, SMOOTH COASTLINES 02:50.876 --> 02:55.459 align:start THAT YOU MIGHT SEE IN SOME PARTS OF THE WORLD. 02:55.459 --> 02:57.834 align:start SO, YOU HAVE RUGGED MOUNTAIN RANGES THAT REACH 02:57.834 --> 03:00.292 align:start RIGHT DOWN TO THE SEA, SO OBVIOUSLY THE RUGGED EDGES 03:00.292 --> 03:03.542 align:start OF THOSE MOUNTAINS WHERE THEY HIT THE SEA ARE GOING 03:03.542 --> 03:06.250 align:start TO MAKE A LOT OF BAYS AND INLETS AND LITTLE ISLANDS 03:06.250 --> 03:08.999 align:start THAT STICK UP, CONSISTING OF THE ROCKS OF BAJA CALIFORNIA. 03:08.999 --> 03:11.999 align:start THE REASON THAT YOU HAVE SO MANY COLORS IN THE 03:11.999 --> 03:14.999 align:start ROCKS OF BAJA IS BECAUSE YOU HAVE SEVERAL DIFFERENT 03:14.999 --> 03:18.959 align:start KINDS OF ROCK, OF WHICH THE MOST COLORFUL PERHAPS 03:18.959 --> 03:22.167 align:start ARE THE RHYOLITE VOLCANIC ROCKS THAT FORMED AT THE 03:22.167 --> 03:26.834 align:start SAME TIME AS THE RHYOLITE PLATEAUS OF CENTRAL MEXICO. 03:26.834 --> 03:30.959 align:start AND THESE ROCKS ARE FORMED FROM VERY EXPLOSIVE 03:30.959 --> 03:34.000 align:start VOLCANOES THAT ERUPT A KIND OF LAVA CALLED 03:34.000 --> 03:37.083 align:start RHYOLITE THAT'S VERY LIGHT IN COLOR COMPARED TO THE 03:37.083 --> 03:41.292 align:start MORE USUAL BLACK LAVA THAT YOU SEE IN HAWAII THAT'S BLACK. 03:41.292 --> 03:45.292 align:start THESE LIGHT LAVAS CAN ERUPT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH 03:45.292 --> 03:47.999 align:start A LOT OF SULFUR, AND THE SULFUR CAN TURN THEM 03:47.999 --> 03:51.292 align:start YELLOW, OR THEY CAN BE RICH IN IRON, AND THE OXYGEN 03:51.292 --> 03:54.417 align:start WHEN THEY ERUPT CAN ACTUALLY OXIDIZE OR RUST 03:54.417 --> 04:02.709 align:start THESE LAVAS AND TURN THEM RED AND YOU GET THE RED COLOR. 04:02.709 --> 04:06.167 align:start AS BAJA CALIFORNIA RIFTED, AS WE CALL IT, 04:06.167 --> 04:09.501 align:start OFF OF MAINLAND MEXICO, IT MAY HAVE DONE IT ALL AT 04:09.501 --> 04:12.959 align:start ONCE AS A LONG PENINSULA AS YOU SEE IT TODAY. 04:12.959 --> 04:15.709 align:start BUT, IT'S ALSO POSSIBLE THAT IT CAME OFF IN LITTLE PIECES. 04:15.709 --> 04:18.918 align:start ONE OF THE PIECES THAT WE KNOW WAS SEPARATED AT ONE 04:18.918 --> 04:20.709 align:start TIME, AS A SEPARATE ISLAND, 04:20.709 --> 04:24.417 align:start WAS THE VERY TIP OF BAJA FROM ABOUT LA PAZ DOWN TO 04:24.417 --> 04:27.959 align:start CABO SAN LUCAS, WHICH IS THE CAPE, THE VERY TIP. 04:27.959 --> 04:31.626 align:start THAT WAS ALL AN ISLAND DOWN THERE AND SEPARATED 04:31.626 --> 04:39.000 align:start FROM THE MAIN PENINSULA AND THEN REJOINED IT. 04:39.000 --> 04:42.459 align:start STRETCHING SOUTH OF LA PAZ TOWARD CABO SAN LUCAS ON 04:42.459 --> 04:46.999 align:start THE END OF THE PENINSULA ARE THE SIERRA DE LA LAGUNA MOUNTAINS. 04:46.999 --> 04:50.751 align:start THEY'RE CALLED THAT AFTER A LAKE, A LAGUNA, THAT WENT 04:50.751 --> 04:53.999 align:start DRY A HUNDRED AND SOME YEARS AGO. THESE 04:53.999 --> 04:57.999 align:start MOUNTAINS ARE MADE DIFFERENTLY FROM BAJA'S OTHER MOUNTAINS. 04:57.999 --> 05:00.999 align:start THAT FIGURES THOUGH, SINCE THIS WAS ONCE AN ISLAND ON ITS OWN. 05:00.999 --> 05:04.292 align:start SOUNDS LIKE A MAP MAKERS BAD DREAM, DOESN'T IT? 05:04.292 --> 05:07.209 align:start LIKE NONE OF THE GEOGRAPHY WILL STAY PUT 05:07.209 --> 05:09.999 align:start WITH ALL THIS BUMPING AND GRINDING. 05:09.999 --> 05:14.042 align:start BUT THE SENSE OF COMMOTION REALLY ONLY COMES FROM OUR 05:14.042 --> 05:17.876 align:start COMPRESSING THE TIME IN WHICH ALL THE MOTION TOOK PLACE. 05:17.876 --> 05:22.999 align:start THE TRUE STORY IS MILLIONS OF YEARS LONG AND 05:22.999 --> 05:29.459 align:start LOTS MORE COMPLEX. AS IT GOT RIPPED OFF THE CONTINENT, 05:29.459 --> 05:32.542 align:start IT WAS MOVING NORTH OUT OF THE TROPICS INTO A PLACE 05:32.542 --> 05:35.999 align:start WHERE THERE'S PREVAILING HIGH PRESSURE ALWAYS 05:35.999 --> 05:39.125 align:start COMING DOWN THAT SUPPRESSES RAINFALL. 05:39.125 --> 05:42.250 align:start AND THIS INTENSIFIED AS THE PENINSULA FORMED SO 05:42.250 --> 05:46.999 align:start THAT YOU HAD LITERALLY THE FORMATION OF THE PENINSULA 05:46.999 --> 05:51.042 align:start AND THE FORMATION OF GLOBAL DESERT CLIMATES SIMULTANEOUSLY. 05:51.042 --> 05:55.375 align:start SO, IN MANY CASES, BAJA CALIFORNIA WAS THE PERFECT 05:55.375 --> 05:59.375 align:start LABORATORY FOR TROPICAL LIFE TO EXPERIMENT WITH DRYER AND DRYER 05:59.375 --> 06:03.834 align:start CONDITIONS, AND OF COURSE THE WINNERS ARE WHAT WE SEE TODAY. 06:03.834 --> 06:07.584 align:start AND BY BEING NORTH-SOUTH, IT MEANS THAT YOU'VE GOT 06:07.584 --> 06:10.999 align:start THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT SHIFTING DOWN THE SIDE OF 06:10.999 --> 06:14.334 align:start NORTH AMERICA--SOUTH SOUTH SOUTH--CARRYING THE COOL 06:14.334 --> 06:17.584 align:start OF THE ARCTIC ON THE PACIFIC SIDE. 06:17.584 --> 06:21.417 align:start AT THE SAME TIME, ON THE GULF OF CALIFORNIA SIDE, 06:21.417 --> 06:24.792 align:start YOU HAVE THIS ANOMALOUSLY HOT WATER. 06:24.792 --> 06:28.834 align:start SO, YOU'VE GOT A TREMENDOUS GRADIENT OF 06:28.834 --> 06:31.459 align:start TEMPERATURES AND RAINFALL DISTRIBUTIONS ALL CENTERED 06:31.459 --> 06:34.999 align:start IN THIS MAGIC PLACE WHERE THE PENINSULA IS; 06:34.999 --> 06:37.334 align:start ALMOST NO PLACE ELSE ON THE CONTINENT, 06:37.334 --> 06:39.584 align:start AND FEW OTHER PLACES IN THE WORLD, 06:39.584 --> 06:41.999 align:start WHERE YOU CAN FIND THIS KIND OF CLIMATIC GRADIENT. 06:41.999 --> 06:44.709 align:start SO COMBINE THAT WITH A HUGE VARIETY OF MOUNTAIN 06:44.709 --> 06:47.501 align:start CHAINS, EACH OF WHICH CREATES ITS OWN LITTLE 06:47.501 --> 06:50.501 align:start ISLAND EFFECT OF A LOCAL CLIMATE AND YOU'VE GOT A 06:50.501 --> 06:54.834 align:start LOT OF PLACES FOR PLANTS TO HANG OUT AND EVOLVE. 06:54.834 --> 06:58.042 align:start ONE OF THE REALLY UNIQUE COMMUNITIES IS ACTUALLY 06:58.042 --> 07:00.918 align:start JUST HUGGING THE COAST OF THE PACIFIC, 07:00.918 --> 07:03.918 align:start ESPECIALLY UP IN THE NORTH WHERE YOU'VE GOT THOSE 07:03.918 --> 07:05.999 align:start PERSISTENT COLDWATER UP WELLING CURRENTS. 07:05.999 --> 07:08.334 align:start AND, IT'S PRETTY DRY THERE, IN FACT, 07:08.334 --> 07:11.918 align:start IT'S ONE OF THE DRIEST AREAS IN NORTH AMERICA 07:11.918 --> 07:14.792 align:start AFTER DEATH VALLEY DOWN AROUND THE MIDDLE OF THE 07:14.792 --> 07:17.292 align:start PENINSULA WHERE THE ELBOW SORT OF JUTS OUT. 07:17.292 --> 07:19.834 align:start AND FROM THAT ELBOW ON NORTH, 07:19.834 --> 07:22.501 align:start YOU'VE GOT LOTS OF COOL WATER, VERY LITTLE RAIN. 07:22.501 --> 07:25.959 align:start SO HERE IT IS DRY, AND AT THE SAME TIME IT'S 07:25.959 --> 07:28.292 align:start EXTREMELY FOGGY AND COOL ALL SUMMER LONG. 07:28.292 --> 07:31.334 align:start THIS HAS CREATED A TYPE OF ENVIRONMENT THAT, 07:31.334 --> 07:34.834 align:start A FOG DESERT, THAT YOU DON'T SEE IN MANY PARTS OF THE WORLD. 07:34.834 --> 07:38.209 align:start AND THERE'S SPECIES AFTER SPECIES THAT HUG THE COAST. 07:38.209 --> 07:40.751 align:start THEN PASSING INLAND IN THE NORTH, 07:40.751 --> 07:42.999 align:start YOU'VE GOT SPECIES THAT CAN HANDLE A LITTLE MORE 07:42.999 --> 07:46.209 align:start HEAT, A LITTLE MORE DROUGHT, 07:46.209 --> 07:47.999 align:start AND SOMETIMES LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF SUMMER RAINFALL. 07:47.999 --> 07:50.999 align:start AND THOSE ARE THINGS LIKE THE BOOJUM THAT HUG THE 07:50.999 --> 07:55.584 align:start MIDDLE OF THE PENINSULA AND HAVE BEEN ABLE TO 07:55.584 --> 07:57.167 align:start ESTABLISH FOOTHOLDS EVEN ACROSS THE GULF OF 07:57.167 --> 07:59.083 align:start CALIFORNIA ON THE COAST OF SONORA. 07:59.083 --> 08:02.125 align:start THEN GOING SOUTH, YOU GET OUT OF A BAND OF WINTER 08:02.125 --> 08:05.999 align:start RAINFALL AND INTO A CLIMATE WHERE THE WINTERS 08:05.999 --> 08:08.918 align:start ARE VERY, VERY DRY AND THE SUMMERS ARE WET. 08:08.918 --> 08:12.501 align:start THINGS LIKE LARGE CACTUS BECOME A LITTLE MORE 08:12.501 --> 08:15.375 align:start COMMON, ALTHOUGH THE CARDON IS EQUALLY COMMON UP IN 08:15.375 --> 08:19.209 align:start THE NORTH AND SOUTH, AS LONG AS IT'S IN A FROST-FREE ZONE. 08:19.209 --> 08:22.000 align:start BUT YOU START GETTING MORE AND MORE TROPICAL ELEMENTS 08:22.000 --> 08:25.167 align:start UNTIL THE TIME YOU GET TO THE CAPE, YOU'RE ESSENTIALLY 08:25.167 --> 08:28.375 align:start IN A FULL-FLEDGED DRY TROPICAL FOREST. 08:28.375 --> 08:30.751 align:start SO YOU'VE GOT DRY TROPICAL FOREST IN THE SOUTH, 08:30.751 --> 08:33.459 align:start AND ON THE MOUNTAINS IN THE NORTH, 08:33.459 --> 08:36.792 align:start YOU HAVE ESSENTIALLY CALIFORNIAN PINE FORESTS 08:36.792 --> 08:39.709 align:start UP IN THE HIGHEST PARTS OF THE MOUNTAINS. 08:39.709 --> 08:43.292 align:start AND THEN IN BETWEEN, YOU'VE GOT THE CENTRAL DESERT. 08:43.292 --> 08:46.501 align:start IF YOU START LOOKING AT DESERTS ALL OVER THE 08:46.501 --> 08:48.918 align:start WORLD, YOU'LL FIND MOST OF THEM HAVE VERY FEW PLANTS 08:48.918 --> 08:51.083 align:start THAT LOOK LIKE CACTUS, BECAUSE THESE PLANTS WITH 08:51.083 --> 08:53.999 align:start THEIR PARTICULAR KIND OF WATER STORING SUCCULENT 08:53.999 --> 08:58.209 align:start METABOLISM CAN'T HANDLE TEMPERATURE EXTREMES; 08:58.209 --> 09:01.999 align:start TOO COLD AND THEY FREEZE, TOO HOT, AND THEY LITERALLY DRY 09:01.999 --> 09:04.999 align:start UP BEFORE THE RAINS CAN COME AGAIN. 09:04.999 --> 09:08.417 align:start SO IT'S ONLY IN AREAS WITH MARITIME CLIMATE, 09:08.417 --> 09:12.834 align:start WHERE THE TEMPERATURE EXTREMES ARE AMELIORATED, 09:12.834 --> 09:18.999 align:start AND AT THE SAME TIME IT'S DRY ENOUGH THAT THE STORING OF 09:18.999 --> 09:22.375 align:start WATER INTO THE BODY OF THE PLANT IS A GOOD STRATEGY CONVERGE THAT 09:22.375 --> 09:25.667 align:start YOU GET THESE BIZARRE, SUCCULENT-DOMINATED LANDSCAPES. 09:25.667 --> 09:30.375 align:start AND THERE'S ONLY FIVE OR SIX PLACES ON THE PLANET THAT 09:30.375 --> 09:35.125 align:start THAT HAPPENS AND THE SLOPE OF THE VIS CAYENO IS ONE OF THEM. 09:35.125 --> 09:39.167 align:start WHEN THAT MOISTURE IS LITERALLY SUCKED OFF 09:39.167 --> 09:42.999 align:start THE PACIFIC AND GOES UPHILL, IT EXPANDS, COOLS, 09:42.999 --> 09:46.542 align:start AND ACTUALLY THE MOISTURE CONDENSES. 09:46.542 --> 09:49.999 align:start SO YOU GET DENSE FOG ON THE PACIFIC SLOPE. 09:49.999 --> 09:53.876 align:start BUT AS SOON AS THAT AIR PASSES OVER THE HIGHLANDS, 09:53.876 --> 09:57.083 align:start IT NO LONGER EXPANDS AND COOLS. IT STARTS TO COMPRESS. 09:57.083 --> 10:00.959 align:start AS IT COMPRESSES IT HEATS, AND THE FOG DISAPPEARS. 10:00.959 --> 10:03.999 align:start SO THE DIVIDE BETWEEN THE MARITIME PACIFIC SLOPE, 10:03.999 --> 10:07.751 align:start WHERE THE VIS CAYENO PLANTS ARE, AND THE MORE ARID 10:07.751 --> 10:11.751 align:start GULF SLOPE, WHERE THE PLANTS THAT ARE CHARACTERISTIC 10:11.751 --> 10:16.459 align:start OF THE GULF COAST AND LOWER COLORADO VALLEY DESERTS ARE, 10:16.459 --> 10:19.999 align:start IS A REAL SHARP DIVIDE. AND YOU 10:19.999 --> 10:24.876 align:start CAN ACTUALLY SEE IT BECAUSE YOU DRIVE ACROSS THAT PENINSULA. 10:24.876 --> 10:27.999 align:start ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF THE NEAT TEMPERATURE 10:27.999 --> 10:31.709 align:start GRADIENTS THAT BAJA ENCOMPASSES, AGAIN BY BEING 10:31.709 --> 10:34.626 align:start NORTH-SOUTH, IS THE FACT THAT ESPECIALLY UP ON THE 10:34.626 --> 10:37.709 align:start NORTHWEST COAST WHERE YOU'VE GOT COLD WATER COMING DOWN 10:37.709 --> 10:41.375 align:start FROM THE CALIFORNIA CURRENT, IS YOU HAVE SALT MARSHES. AND LIKE 10:41.375 --> 10:45.542 align:start ALL MARSHES, THIS IS A BIG GRASSY EXPANSE, DAILY FLOODED 10:45.542 --> 10:48.999 align:start BY THE TIDES, SO IT ESSENTIALLY IS A NUTRIENT CATCHER. 10:48.999 --> 10:53.250 align:start THE MARSH SORT OF GLEANS AND FILTERS THE BEST OF 10:53.250 --> 10:56.626 align:start THOSE NUTRIENTS OUT AND THEN LETS THE WASTE 10:56.626 --> 10:58.959 align:start PRODUCTS GO BACK TO THE SEA, 10:58.959 --> 11:01.667 align:start SO IT'S VERY MUCH A TIDALLY SUBSIDIZED 11:01.667 --> 11:04.083 align:start COMMUNITY LIKE ALL SALT MARSHES. 11:04.083 --> 11:07.709 align:start BUT JUST A LITTLE WAYS TO THE SOUTH THE SAME 11:07.709 --> 11:10.125 align:start CONDITIONS GIVE RISE TO MANGROVES, 11:10.125 --> 11:12.459 align:start WHICH ARE A TROPICAL EXPRESSION. 11:12.459 --> 11:14.999 align:start YOU CAN SEE PRETTY COMPLEX STRUCTURE IN THESE 11:14.999 --> 11:17.667 align:start MANGROVES WITH THE STILT ROOTS AND STUFF. 11:17.667 --> 11:20.542 align:start IT'S STILL THE SAME MECHANISM TO GLEAN THE 11:20.542 --> 11:23.167 align:start NUTRIENTS FROM THE TIDE COMING IN AND THEN LET THE 11:23.167 --> 11:26.292 align:start WASTE PRODUCTS FLOW BACK, BUT BECAUSE OF THE LONGER 11:26.292 --> 11:28.999 align:start GROWING SEASON, THE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY, 11:28.999 --> 11:32.209 align:start AND THE FREEDOM FROM ALL COLD AND FROST, 11:32.209 --> 11:35.709 align:start THEY'RE ABLE TO GET A MUCH MORE ELABORATE STRUCTURE 11:35.709 --> 11:39.000 align:start INTO THESE TROPICAL MANGROVES. 11:39.000 --> 11:42.751 align:start SO BAJA ENCOMPASSES AT ITS NORTH THE SOUTHERN 11:42.751 --> 11:46.459 align:start END OF THE NORTHERN MARSHES AND THE 11:46.459 --> 11:50.083 align:start NORTHERN END OF THE TROPICAL MANGROVE SWAMPS. 11:50.083 --> 11:52.626 align:start SO JUST ANOTHER ILLUSTRATION OF HOW 11:52.626 --> 11:56.042 align:start IDEALLY THIS PENINSULA IS POSITIONED TO SUPPORT THE 11:56.042 --> 11:58.999 align:start MAXIMUM POSSIBLE BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY. 11:58.999 --> 12:01.751 align:start MOST LIVING THINGS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA HAVE KIND OF 12:01.751 --> 12:05.083 align:start MADE THEIR OWN WAY LIKE ANY FAMILY LEFT TO FEND 12:05.083 --> 12:08.417 align:start FOR ITSELF, SO PLANTS AND ANIMALS HERE ARE FAMILIAR BUT 12:08.417 --> 12:16.999 align:start ALSO A LITTLE DIFFERENT, IF NOT PECULIAR. THAT'S WHAT ISOLATION 12:16.999 --> 12:21.250 align:start DOES. AND BAJA IS KIND OF AN EXTREME FOR ISOLATION. 12:21.250 --> 12:25.542 align:start THE OTHER EXTREME, I GUESS, WOULD BE IF THE WORLD WERE NOT 12:25.542 --> 12:29.167 align:start SPLIT INTO DIFFERENT LANDMASSES WITH WATER IN BETWEEN. 12:29.167 --> 12:31.959 align:start IF WE ALL LIVED ON ONE HUGE ISLAND 12:31.959 --> 12:36.667 align:start I EXPECT WE'D ALL LOOK MORE THE SAME. 12:36.667 --> 12:39.626 align:start THE HERPETOFAUNA OF BAJA CALIFORNIA--THAT IS, 12:39.626 --> 12:42.209 align:start THE REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS OF BAJA 12:42.209 --> 12:45.999 align:start CALIFORNIA--HAS ESSENTIALLY HAD TWO 12:45.999 --> 12:48.792 align:start DIFFERENT SOURCES OF ORIGIN: ONE FROM THE 12:48.792 --> 12:51.042 align:start SOUTH, AND ONE FROM THE NORTH. 12:51.042 --> 12:55.876 align:start NOW IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT THE SPECIES, 12:55.876 --> 12:56.999 align:start WHICH HAVE THE SOUTHERN ORIGIN, 12:56.999 --> 12:59.918 align:start EVOLVED IN THE CAPE REGION AS THIS SEPARATE LAND MASS BROKE 12:59.918 --> 13:02.959 align:start AWAY FROM SOUTHWESTERN MEXICO AND EXISTED AS AN ISLAND. 13:02.959 --> 13:04.999 align:start NOW WHEN THIS BREAKAWAY OCCURRED, 13:04.999 --> 13:07.999 align:start THIS ISLAND CARRIED WITH IT A LARGE PORTION OF THE 13:07.999 --> 13:11.167 align:start ANCESTRAL HERPETOFAUNA OF SOUTHWESTERN MEXICO. 13:11.167 --> 13:14.999 align:start AND THEN, IN ISOLATION ON THIS ISLAND, 13:14.999 --> 13:18.999 align:start THESE FORMS SPECIATED, OR THEY BECAME DIFFERENT, 13:18.999 --> 13:23.042 align:start AND THEN FOLLOWING THE REUNION OF THE PENINSULAR LANDMASSES, 13:23.042 --> 13:26.626 align:start THESE NEWLY DIFFERENTIATED FORMS DISPERSED NORTHWARD. 13:26.626 --> 13:29.542 align:start AND THEY EXIST TODAY AS WHAT WE SEE AS 13:29.542 --> 13:32.999 align:start THESE TRANS-PENINSULAR ENDEMIC SPECIES. AND EXAMPLES OF 13:32.999 --> 13:36.334 align:start THIS WOULD BE THE BANDED ROCK LIZARD 13:36.334 --> 13:39.751 align:start AND THE BAJA CALIFORNIA GOPHER SNAKE. 13:39.751 --> 13:42.959 align:start THE GOPHER SNAKES ON THE PENINSULA ARE QUITE 13:42.959 --> 13:45.542 align:start INTERESTING BECAUSE THEY'RE PROBABLY COMING 13:45.542 --> 13:48.751 align:start FROM A VERY DIFFERENT ORIGIN FROM THE GOPHER 13:48.751 --> 13:51.042 align:start SNAKES OF THE MAINLAND SONORAN DESERT. 13:51.042 --> 13:53.292 align:start HOWEVER, THEIR ECOLOGY IS QUITE SIMILAR. THEY ARE 13:53.292 --> 13:57.042 align:start FOUND IN A WIDE VARIETY OF HABITATS, VIRTUALLY EVERYWHERE. 13:57.042 --> 14:00.501 align:start AND AGAIN, ARE CONSTRICTING, NON-VENOMOUS 14:00.501 --> 14:03.042 align:start SNAKES WHICH FEED ON A VARIETY OF SMALL 14:03.042 --> 14:06.250 align:start PREY, BUT PRIMARILY SMALL MAMMALS. 14:06.250 --> 14:09.501 align:start THE ROCK LIZARD IS PERHAPS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LIZARD 14:09.501 --> 14:13.999 align:start ON THE BAJA PENINSULA, OFTEN QUITE BLUE OR RICH 14:13.999 --> 14:19.834 align:start ORANGE IN COLOR, OCCUPYING THE VOLCANIC AREAS, 14:19.834 --> 14:25.334 align:start PRINCIPALLY, AND OFTEN UTILIZING THE DEEP CREVICES AND 14:25.334 --> 14:33.876 align:start CRACKS IN THE ROCKS OR HIDING AMONG THE LAVA BOULDERS. 14:33.876 --> 14:36.999 align:start NOW SPECIES THAT HAD A NORTHERN ORIGIN PERHAPS 14:36.999 --> 14:40.876 align:start EVOLVED WITH THE NEWLY EVOLVING SONORAN DESERT IN 14:40.876 --> 14:44.959 align:start NORTHERN MEXICO AND THE SOUTHWESTERN UNITED STATES. 14:44.959 --> 14:48.292 align:start AND AS THESE DESERTS SPREAD SOUTHWARD AS WELL, 14:48.292 --> 14:51.918 align:start THESE ANIMALS FOLLOWED. AND SO THESE THINGS ARE 14:51.918 --> 14:54.542 align:start RELATIVELY RECENT IN BAJA CALIFORNIA. 14:54.542 --> 14:57.918 align:start AND EXAMPLES OF THIS WOULD BE THINGS SUCH AS THE 14:57.918 --> 15:01.209 align:start SPECKLED RATTLESNAKE AND THE ROSY BOA. 15:01.209 --> 15:04.751 align:start THE SPECKLED RATTLESNAKE IS FOUND ALMOST ENTIRELY 15:04.751 --> 15:07.417 align:start IN ROCKY HABITATS AND FROM MOUNTAIN RANGE TO MOUNTAIN 15:07.417 --> 15:11.334 align:start RANGE IN THESE DESERT ENVIRONMENTS THE VARIOUS 15:11.334 --> 15:14.042 align:start POPULATIONS MAY VARY SUBSTANTIALLY IN COLOR, 15:14.042 --> 15:18.042 align:start TO SOME DEGREE IN PATTERN. IN ALL CASES, CLOSELY 15:18.042 --> 15:21.375 align:start MATCHING THE ROCKS WHERE THEY ARE FOUND. 15:21.375 --> 15:25.959 align:start THE ROSY BOA ALONG WITH THE BLIND SNAKES REPRESENT 15:25.959 --> 15:28.751 align:start THE MOST PRIMITIVE SNAKES FOUND ON THE BAJA 15:28.751 --> 15:32.792 align:start PENINSULA AND IN THE SONORAN DESERT. 15:32.792 --> 15:36.334 align:start THE ROSY BOA IS QUITE DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOAS 15:36.334 --> 15:40.999 align:start IN THAT IT IS ADAPTED TO MORE ARID AND COOLER 15:40.999 --> 15:44.709 align:start CLIMATES THAN BOAS ARE TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH. 15:44.709 --> 15:48.459 align:start THEY'RE OF COURSE OF TROPICAL ORIGIN AND IN THE 15:48.459 --> 15:51.999 align:start SONORAN DESERT OCCUPY A VARIETY OF HABITATS, 15:51.999 --> 15:58.667 align:start BUT GENERALLY ASSOCIATED WITH ROCKY AREAS AS WELL. 15:58.667 --> 16:02.042 align:start THE NATURAL HISTORY AND ECOLOGY OF THE REPTILES ON 16:02.042 --> 16:05.542 align:start THE BAJA PENINSULA IS VERY SIMILAR TO THAT WE SEE IN 16:05.542 --> 16:07.999 align:start OTHER PARTS OF THE SONORAN DESERT. 16:07.999 --> 16:10.667 align:start THE COMMON KING SNAKE OF THE BAJA 16:10.667 --> 16:13.375 align:start PENINSULA IS THE CALIFORNIA KING SNAKE. 16:13.375 --> 16:17.542 align:start TYPICALLY IT'S BANDED, OFTEN DISPLAYING 16:17.542 --> 16:20.999 align:start A VARIETY OF BROWN TO BLACK GROUND COLORS 16:20.999 --> 16:26.250 align:start WITH A CHAIN-LIKE PATTERN OF VARYING WIDTHS. 16:26.250 --> 16:30.626 align:start THE KING SNAKES ARE CONSTRICTORS, 16:30.626 --> 16:33.999 align:start AND OF COURSE ARE WELL KNOWN FOR THEIR CAPABILITY 16:33.999 --> 16:38.999 align:start OF EATING VENOMOUS SNAKES LIKE RATTLESNAKES. 16:38.999 --> 16:42.584 align:start THE LEAF-TOED GECKO IS A TROPICAL GECKO. 16:42.584 --> 16:47.459 align:start IT'S ALSO ONE OF THE SAXATILIS OR ROCK-DWELLING 16:47.459 --> 16:50.375 align:start GECKOS, WHICH HAVE ADHESIVE TOE PADS, 16:50.375 --> 16:53.751 align:start VERY MUCH LIKE THEIR ARBOREAL RELATIVES. 16:53.751 --> 16:58.417 align:start AND AGAIN, THEY'RE FOUND IN ROCKY HABITATS WHERE 16:58.417 --> 17:01.459 align:start THEY ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY NOCTURNAL, 17:01.459 --> 17:05.000 align:start EMERGING OF COURSE TO CATCH SPIDERS 17:05.000 --> 17:28.999 align:start AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES AFTER DARK. 17:28.999 --> 17:33.417 align:start REPRESENTED AMONG THE SNAKE SPECIES ON THE BAJA 17:33.417 --> 17:36.083 align:start PENINSULA IS THE BANDED SAND SNAKE. 17:36.083 --> 17:40.584 align:start THE SAND SNAKES ARE REMARKABLY ADAPTED AS SAND SWIMMERS. 17:40.584 --> 17:44.834 align:start THEY HAVE WEDGE-SHAPED HEADS, VERY SMOOTH SCALES, 17:44.834 --> 17:49.292 align:start COUNTER SUNK LOWER JAWS, AND NASAL VALVES WHICH 17:49.292 --> 17:55.417 align:start THEY CAN ACTUALLY SHUT OFF TO PREVENT SAND AND FINE 17:55.417 --> 17:58.999 align:start DEBRIS FROM ENTERING THEIR NOSTRILS AS THEY ACTUALLY 17:58.999 --> 18:02.876 align:start DIVE INTO THE SAND, STICKING THEIR HEAD IN, 18:02.876 --> 18:06.250 align:start AND THEN SLIDING VERY SMOOTHLY INTO SAND OR FINE 18:06.250 --> 18:09.125 align:start GRAVEL AS A MEANS OF ESCAPING FROM PREDATORS, 18:09.125 --> 18:17.459 align:start BUT PERHAPS MORE EFFECTIVELY AS A MEANS OF THERMAL REGULATION. 18:17.459 --> 18:20.751 align:start THE BANDED GECKO IS A MORE PRIMITIVE GECKO THAN THE 18:20.751 --> 18:24.542 align:start LEAF TOED GECKO, AND IS PRIMARILY TERRESTRIAL. 18:24.542 --> 18:27.250 align:start THEY LIVE UNDER ROCKS AND IN ROCK PILES, 18:27.250 --> 18:29.834 align:start AND SOMETIMES IN HOLES IN THE GROUND, 18:29.834 --> 18:32.542 align:start DEPENDING ON THE TERRAIN THEY OCCUPY. 18:32.542 --> 18:36.709 align:start THEY'RE QUITE VARIABLE IN THE BAJA PENINSULA. 18:36.709 --> 18:39.999 align:start THEY ARE DISTINGUISHED FROM THE LEAF-TOED GECKOS 18:39.999 --> 18:43.125 align:start BY THE ABSENCE OF ADHESIVE TOE PADS. 18:43.125 --> 18:46.250 align:start INSTEAD, THEY HAVE PROMINENT CLAWS. 18:46.250 --> 18:49.999 align:start THEY ALSO HAVE AN ENERGY RESERVOIR TAIL IN WHICH 18:49.999 --> 18:53.209 align:start THEY STORE LIPIDS OR FATS AND WATER, 18:53.209 --> 18:56.792 align:start WHICH ENABLES THEM TO SURVIVE LONG PERIODS OF 18:56.792 --> 19:01.999 align:start INACTIVITY WHEN THEY'RE NOT CONSIDERING FOOD. 19:01.999 --> 19:06.709 align:start THE LYRE SNAKE IS ALSO A SAXATILIS, OR ROCK DWELLING 19:06.709 --> 19:13.250 align:start SPECIES PRIMARILY, OFTEN FOUND IN LAVA PILES. 19:13.250 --> 19:16.667 align:start THEY ARE REAR-FANG SPECIES, ACTUALLY VENOMOUS, 19:16.667 --> 19:20.959 align:start MILDLY VENOMOUS, CAPABLE OF SUBDUING THEIR PREY, 19:20.959 --> 19:27.999 align:start AND OFTEN PARTIALLY CONSTRICTING AS WELL. 19:27.999 --> 19:31.375 align:start THIS ISOLATED AND PRISTINE ASPECT OF DESERTS IS ONE 19:31.375 --> 19:33.584 align:start THING THAT MAKES THEM SO INTERESTING. 19:33.584 --> 19:37.918 align:start WHICH IS FUNNY, BECAUSE ONE REASON THEY STILL STAY PRISTINE 19:37.918 --> 19:41.792 align:start AND ISOLATED IS THAT THEY'RE A LITTLE HOSTILE, TO HUMANS. 19:41.792 --> 19:45.417 align:start BUT BAJA'S MAGNETISM GOES BEYOND IT'S BEING A DESERT. 19:45.417 --> 19:50.918 align:start THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER THINGS THAT SET IT APART. 19:50.918 --> 19:54.501 align:start THE BAJA CALIFORNIA AREA IS BOTANICALLY UNIQUE 19:54.501 --> 19:58.209 align:start BECAUSE PRIMARILY IT'S A LABORATORY OF EVOLUTION. 19:58.209 --> 20:03.626 align:start AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS ITS ISOLATION. 20:03.626 --> 20:07.999 align:start THE GREATEST DIVERSITY OF BOTANICAL ENDEMICS OCCURS 20:07.999 --> 20:11.125 align:start IN ABOUT THE MIDDLE THIRD OF THE PENINSULA, 20:11.125 --> 20:15.375 align:start WHAT'S CALLED THE VIS CAYENO SUBDIVISION. 20:15.375 --> 20:18.000 align:start THE VIS CAYENO REGION RECEIVES TYPICALLY LESS 20:18.000 --> 20:20.792 align:start THAN FIVE INCHES OF RAIN OVER MOST OF ITS AREA, AND 20:20.792 --> 20:24.000 align:start IT'S EXTREMELY UNDEPENDABLE. IT'S QUITE POSSIBLE FOR 20:24.000 --> 20:27.834 align:start ONE OR EVEN TWO YEARS TO GO BY WITH NO RAIN AT ALL. 20:27.834 --> 20:30.999 align:start AND THEN, YOU MAY HAVE SEVERAL INCHES OF RAIN IN 20:30.999 --> 20:33.459 align:start ONE YEAR, MAYBE IN ONLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS. 20:33.459 --> 20:37.083 align:start SO, IT'S A FEAST OR FAMINE TYPE OF SITUATION, 20:37.083 --> 20:40.375 align:start WHICH IS PERFECT FOR SUCCULENTS BECAUSE THEY STORE UP LARGE 20:40.375 --> 20:44.167 align:start AMOUNTS OF WATER DURING RAINY PERIODS, AND THEY CAN SURVIVE 20:44.167 --> 20:46.999 align:start FOR MONTHS OR EVEN YEARS WITH NO RAIN AT ALL. 20:46.999 --> 20:49.626 align:start AND THIS REGION HAS JUST THE PERFECT CLIMATE TO 20:49.626 --> 20:51.834 align:start SUPPORT THAT KIND OF A STRUCTURE. 20:51.834 --> 20:55.792 align:start IT'S PROBABLY WHY THE VIS CAYENO REGION AND BAJA IN GENERAL 20:55.792 --> 20:58.999 align:start LOOKS STRANGE EVEN FOR A DESERT, BECAUSE SO 20:58.999 --> 21:01.542 align:start MANY OF THE PLANTS HERE, THE BIG, DOMINANT VISUAL 21:01.542 --> 21:04.999 align:start PLANTS, ARE TREE SUCCULENTS THAT TAKE ON STRANGE FORMS. 21:04.999 --> 21:08.999 align:start AND WHEN THEY'RE MIXED IN WITH LARGE BOULDER PILES, 21:08.999 --> 21:13.999 align:start IT CAN BECOME NATURALLY A REALLY OTHER WORLDLY EXPERIENCE. 21:13.999 --> 21:17.209 align:start THE VIS CAYENO REGION IS EXTREMELY RICH IN ENDEMICS. 21:17.209 --> 21:22.918 align:start THE STRANGEST OF ALL OF THEM IS THE BOOJUM OR CIRIO. THE BOOJUM 21:22.918 --> 21:26.167 align:start IS BASICALLY A SINGLE-STEMMED SUCCULENT OCOTILLO. 21:26.167 --> 21:28.999 align:start YOU COULD VISUALIZE THAT IF YOU TOOK A SINGLE STEM 21:28.999 --> 21:31.999 align:start OF AN OCOTILLO AND SWELLED IT UP TREMENDOUSLY WITH 21:31.999 --> 21:35.501 align:start WATER STORAGE TISSUE, AND THERE YOU HAVE A BOOJUM. 21:35.501 --> 21:37.459 align:start THE LEAF AND STEM STRUCTURE OTHER THAN THAT 21:37.459 --> 21:40.709 align:start ARE VIRTUALLY IDENTICAL BETWEEN THOSE TWO SPECIES 21:40.709 --> 21:44.000 align:start AND ALL THE OTHER OCOTILLOS, 21:44.000 --> 21:48.999 align:start WHICH COMPRISE A FAMILY OF ONLY ABOUT TWELVE SPECIES. 21:48.999 --> 21:52.959 align:start A STRANGE ENOUGH PLANT EVEN WHEN IT'S YOUNG WITH 21:52.959 --> 21:56.918 align:start THE OLDER ONES BECOMING INCREDIBLY BIZARRE. 21:56.918 --> 21:59.959 align:start INDIVIDUALS MAY GET THEIR TOP GROWING POINTS KILLED 21:59.959 --> 22:02.959 align:start WHICH STIMULATES BRANCHING, AND THEN YOU GET MULTIPLE 22:02.959 --> 22:06.626 align:start BRANCH SPECIMENS THAT ALSO MIGHT BEND OVER WHEN THEY 22:06.626 --> 22:09.375 align:start GET OLD AND FORM STRANGE OCTOPUS-LIKE STRUCTURES. MOST 22:09.375 --> 22:13.792 align:start OF THE OTHER SPECIES THAT ARE ENDEMIC HERE ARE TRULY ENDEMIC. 22:13.792 --> 22:17.083 align:start THE BAJA ELEPHANT TREE OCCURS ONLY HERE AND IT'S 22:17.083 --> 22:21.709 align:start A STRANGE SPECIES BECAUSE IT'S ADAPTED TO THE WINTER 22:21.709 --> 22:25.751 align:start RAINFALL AND THERE'S A CONVERGENT MEMBER HERE 22:25.751 --> 22:28.417 align:start CALLED JUST ELEPHANT TREE AS OPPOSED TO BAJA 22:28.417 --> 22:31.999 align:start ELEPHANT TREE, WHICH IS A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FAMILY. 22:31.999 --> 22:35.459 align:start THE BAJA ELEPHANT TREE IS IN THE CASHEW FAMILY. 22:35.459 --> 22:38.501 align:start IT'S RELATED TO MANGOS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, 22:38.501 --> 22:41.167 align:start WHEREAS THE OTHER ONE IN THE BURSERA FAMILY IS IN 22:41.167 --> 22:43.999 align:start ITS OWN FAMILY, THE TORCHWOOD FAMILY. 22:43.999 --> 22:46.751 align:start AND IT HAS WORLDWIDE MEMBERS INCLUDING 22:46.751 --> 22:48.584 align:start FRANKINCENSE AND MYRRH IN AFRICA. 22:48.584 --> 22:51.667 align:start THERE ARE SEVERAL ENDEMIC SPECIES OF BARREL CACTUS 22:51.667 --> 22:55.167 align:start HERE, PROBABLY ABOUT SIX OR EIGHT OF THEM, 22:55.167 --> 22:58.999 align:start INCLUDING THE BAJA FIRE BARREL, WHICH HAS BRIGHT RED SPINES. 22:58.999 --> 23:03.292 align:start THERE'S A PALM TREE HERE THAT HAS VERY STRIKING BLUE LEAVES 23:03.292 --> 23:06.999 align:start THAT OCCURS ONLY IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE PENINSULA. 23:06.999 --> 23:10.834 align:start THERE ARE SEVERAL BLUE LEAF PALMS IN THE WORLD 23:10.834 --> 23:15.209 align:start BUT THIS ONE IS ONE OF THE BEST, A VERY, VERY BLUISH COLOR. 23:15.209 --> 23:19.792 align:start BLUE PALMS OCCUR ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY IN ARROYOS IN 23:19.792 --> 23:24.167 align:start CENTRAL BAJA, AND OCCASIONALLY UP INTO LARGE BOULDER PILES. 23:24.167 --> 23:27.999 align:start THERE ARE SEVERAL ENDEMIC SPECIES OF CHOLLAS 23:27.999 --> 23:31.250 align:start INCLUDING ONE OF THE WICKEDEST LOOKING ONES OF 23:31.250 --> 23:35.751 align:start ALL CALLED AN OPUNTIA MOLESTA, MOST APPROPRIATELY. 23:35.751 --> 23:39.999 align:start THE SPINES ARE UP TO THREE INCHES LONG, AND THEY HAVE 23:39.999 --> 23:43.999 align:start A SHEATH ON THE END THAT PROTECTS AN EXTREMELY SHARP TIP. 23:43.999 --> 23:47.000 align:start IT'S ONE OF THE MOST PAINFUL ONES TO ENCOUNTER, 23:47.000 --> 23:49.999 align:start BUT IT'S A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLANT. 23:49.999 --> 23:52.999 align:start BESIDES THE BOOJUMS, THERE ARE TWO OTHER SPECIES OF 23:52.999 --> 23:56.167 align:start OCOTILLOS ENDEMIC TO BAJA CALIFORNIA. 23:56.167 --> 23:58.626 align:start ONE CALLED PALO ADAN, WHICH LOOKS ALMOST IDENTICAL 23:58.626 --> 24:01.918 align:start TO THE OCOTILLO MACHO, OR TREE OCOTILLO FROM SONORA, 24:01.918 --> 24:04.459 align:start BUT IT'S IN FACT A DIFFERENT SPECIES. 24:04.459 --> 24:07.999 align:start AND LIKE THE BOOJUM IT OCCURS IN A TINY AREA OF THE 24:07.999 --> 24:11.751 align:start MAINLAND BUT IS OTHERWISE ENTIRELY ENDEMIC TO THIS REGION. 24:11.751 --> 24:14.626 align:start A SHRUB CALLED VIS CAYENO IS IN THE SAME FAMILY AS 24:14.626 --> 24:17.999 align:start CREOSOTEBUSH, BUT IT DOESN'T LOOK AT ALL LIKE IT. 24:17.999 --> 24:20.999 align:start IT LOOKS MORE LIKE JOJOBA WITH FLUTED NUTS. 24:20.999 --> 24:24.999 align:start IT OCCURS ONLY IN THE VIS CAYENO REGION OF THE SONORAN DESERT. 24:24.999 --> 24:28.999 align:start A YUCCA CALLED DATILILLO, WHICH LOOKS VERY 24:28.999 --> 24:33.000 align:start MUCH LIKE A JOSHUA TREE BUT IS UNRELATED TO IT, IT'S 24:33.000 --> 24:35.999 align:start A DIFFERENT SPECIES OF TREE YUCCA. 24:35.999 --> 24:39.834 align:start THERE ARE PROBABLY THIRTY OR FORTY SPECIES OF ROCK LETTUCE 24:39.834 --> 24:44.209 align:start OR DUDLEYA IN BAJA CALIFORNIA, ALL OF WHICH ARE ENDEMIC AND 24:44.209 --> 24:47.999 align:start MANY MORE ARE BEING DISCOVERED ALL THE TIME. THEY ARE 24:47.999 --> 24:52.334 align:start TYPIFIED BY BEING VERY NARROWLY ENDEMIC TO SMALL ROCK OUTCROPS. 24:52.334 --> 24:55.334 align:start BESIDES THE BAJA ENDEMICS, THERE ARE A LOT OF OTHER 24:55.334 --> 24:59.501 align:start SUCCULENT PLANTS THAT DOMINATE THE LANDSCAPE HERE. 24:59.501 --> 25:03.000 align:start A SENITA CACTUS, WITH ITS GRIZZLY GRAY TOP PINES 25:03.000 --> 25:06.626 align:start WHICH MAKES IT LOOK LIKE A LITTLE OLD LADY, 25:06.626 --> 25:09.000 align:start WHICH IS A ROUGH TRANSLATION OF ITS NAME. 25:09.000 --> 25:12.667 align:start CARDON LOOKS QUITE A BIT LIKE A SAGUARO AT FIRST GLANCE, 25:12.667 --> 25:16.209 align:start BUT IT'S ACTUALLY A RATHER DISTANTLY RELATED SPECIES. 25:16.209 --> 25:19.709 align:start IT'S A MUCH MORE MASSIVE PLANT THAN THE SAGUARO, AND IN 25:19.709 --> 25:22.918 align:start BAJA CALIFORNIA IT SEEMS THEY GET MUCH LARGER THAN ELSEWHERE. 25:22.918 --> 25:26.000 align:start THERE ARE SOME VALLEYS IN BAJA CALIFORNIA WHERE 25:26.000 --> 25:29.751 align:start THEY ARE COMMONLY SIXTY FEET AND ABOVE, 25:29.751 --> 25:33.999 align:start WHICH IS A VERY, VERY LARGE CACTUS. 25:33.999 --> 25:37.999 align:start BOOJUM TREES WERE NAMED AFTER A FANTASY OF LEWIS CARROLL'S. 25:37.999 --> 25:41.083 align:start THEY ALSO INSPIRED RELIGIOUS STORIES ABOUT 25:41.083 --> 25:43.792 align:start ANCESTORS OF THE SERI INDIANS. 25:43.792 --> 25:46.876 align:start THIS IS PRIME STORYTELLER TERRAIN, WITH SIXTY 25:46.876 --> 25:50.999 align:start FOOT CARDONS AND BOOJUMS AND FOG SLIDING OVER THE DESERT. 25:50.999 --> 25:55.042 align:start IT'S THE PICTURES; THE PICTURES WORK WHETHER YOUR 25:55.042 --> 26:00.792 align:start TASTE RUNS TO THE IMAGINARY OR THE HISTORIC. 26:00.792 --> 26:04.167 align:start THE STORY OF HOW THE LOWER TIP OF THIS PENINSULA WAS 26:04.167 --> 26:07.999 align:start JOINED TO THE UPPER MAKES A POINT ABOUT BAJA IN GENERAL: 26:07.999 --> 26:12.459 align:start THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO THE STORY THAN YOU EXPECTED. 26:12.459 --> 26:15.125 align:start WHAT SEEMS TO BE MOSTLY A STORY OF ISOLATION, 26:15.125 --> 26:19.584 align:start THINGS COMING APART, INCLUDES A STORY OF THINGS COMING TOGETHER. 26:19.584 --> 26:25.667 align:start BAJA SEEMS TO ALWAYS NEED A SECOND LOOK. 26:25.667 --> 27:18.999 align:start [MUSIC] 27:18.999 --> 27:24.167 align:start FUNDING FORTHE DESERT SPEAKS HAS BEEN PROVIDED BY ASARCO INC. 27:24.167 --> 27:27.999 align:start AN INTEGRATED PRODUCER OF NON-FERROUS METALS AND 27:27.999 --> 27:30.834 align:start OTHER INDUSTRIAL MINERALS AND PRODUCTS. 27:30.834 --> 27:34.542 align:start ASARCO INC. ADDING VALUE TO NATURE'S RESOURCES. 27:34.542 --> 27:38.501 align:start AND HEADQUARTERED IN TUCSON, ARIZONA, 27:38.501 --> 27:40.999 align:start INTERGROUP HEALTHCARE CORPORATION IS A MANAGED 27:40.999 --> 27:44.334 align:start HEALTHCARE COMPANY SERVING MORE THAN A QUARTER MILLION MEMBERS. 27:44.334 --> 27:47.209 align:start AND BY, THE ARIZONA GAME AND FISH HERITAGE FUND, 27:47.209 --> 27:47.209 align:start ARIZONA'S LOTTERY DOLLARS WORKING FOR WILDLIFE.