subject: Diverse Wildlife Population [print this page] Diverse Wildlife Population Diverse Wildlife Population
The wildlife that populates the Carlsbad Caverns National Park is just as wide and varied as the topographic regions that can be found within the park. The Carlsbad Caverns National Park covers land that ranges from the Guadalupe Mountains all the way to the Chihuahuan Desert, with elevations ranging from 1095 meters above sea level to 1987 meters above sea level. With such a vast array of landscape, is it any wonder that there are hundreds of species of animals and plants that can all be found inside the park?
There are over three hundred species of birds that live within the borders of the Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Birdwatchers from around the world travel to the park to see the largest colony of cave swallows in the northern hemisphere, which makes the Carlsbad Cavern Natural Entrance and Important Bird Area. Birdwatchers also enjoy visiting Rattlesnake Springs, which has also been named an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Just the sheer numbers of birds alone would make Carlsbad Caverns worth a visit.
Birds are not the only winged creatures that have an important presence at Carlsbad Caverns. There are bats, too! There a large colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats that raise their young in the park, and these are likely the bats that you will see the most often in the park, especially during the bat flights each morning and evening. In addition to the Brazilian free-tailed bats, though, are at least sixteen other species of bats that call the park home during some part of each year. The migration patterns of each species of bat mean that there is a chance to see a different species upon each trip to the park, because the bats will stop for a short time to use the caves as a resting point.
Whenever you visit the park to see the 67 species of mammals, 55 species of reptiles and amphibians, 5 species of fish, and over 600 insects, it is important that you follow all of the instructions that the Park Rangers set forth. The ecosystem is a fragile thing, and with 300,000 visitors to the park each year, it would be very easy to affect the plant an animal life. As long as everyone works together to preserve the wildlife at the Carlsbad Caverns National Park, then we can rest easy knowing that some day our children's children will be able to enjoy it, too.
