December 21, 2022
LIVING DESERT ZOO & GARDENS STATE PARK
1504 Skyline Rd, Carlsbad, NM 88220
“The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park, formerly the Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, is a zoo and botanical garden displaying plants and animals of the Chihuahuan Desert in their native habitats.” - Wikipedia
I really enjoyed the 1.3-mile self-guided walking tour of the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens which leads visitors through different desert biomes, including sandhills, gypsum hills, desert uplands, and the Piñon Juniper Zone. Signs along the path describe the plants and trees native to each area. The path also leads past birds, reptiles, and other animals that call the desert home. Like any other zoo, because of the cold weather some of the animals were off exhibit, but others were pretty active, including the Mexican Wolves and the Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs.
This would be a great place to take young children to teach them about life in the desert. It is not too large, has animals kids love to see, and is very inexpensive. As I said, I enjoyed it.
Burrowing Owl
Golden Eagle
Greater Roadrunner
Swainson's Hawk
House Finch (just wandering through, not on exhibit).
Great Horned Owl
Mexican Wolf
Mexican Wolf
Mourning Dove (again, not on exhibit).
Gila Monster
Some type of Rattlesnake
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Black-Tailed Prairie Dog
This prairie dog was digging a new burrow.
The dirt was flying as the prairie dog dug its burrow.
Mule Deer
American Bison
Pronghorn
Elk
Mountain Lion
The Prickly Pear Cacti in the park seemed larger than at other places.
Gypsum Hills
A view of the Chihuahuan Desert
Bishop's Cap Cactus