Text reading Southern Western region of the United States in bold, stylized font with orange and blue colors.
  • Prairie Dog

    Prairie Dog

    Did You Know? Prairie dogs greet with a kiss-like nuzzle.

  • Bison

    Bison

    Did You Know? Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour.

  • Lizard

    Lizard

    Did You Know? Some lizards can detach their tails to escape.

The American Southwest supports a great diversity of animal life through various ecosystems—from deserts, to prairies, to shrublands, and mountain forests. Water availability and vegetation variety limits vertebrate species distribution in this dry area. The region provides vital migratory and breeding habitats for the more than 400 species of birds found here. There has been a region-wide decline of several rare species, including Arkansas darters, black-tailed prairie dogs, burrowing owls, lesser prairie chickens, mountain plovers, Texas horned lizards, and swift foxes. Known for its reptiles, the region is abundant with various species in both the desert and grassland areas.

A coiled boa constrictor snake with brown and beige patterned scales, resting on a plain surface.

Fun Fact:
The diamondback rattlesnake shakes its tail up to 60 times per second to produce its famous rattle sound — it's like nature’s built-in warning system! The rattle is made of keratin, just like your fingernails.

Reptiles and amphibians represent an important part of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the American Southwest. Southwestern invertebrates and microorganisms are highly diverse and perform important functions like pollination. The American Southwest region probably has the greatest diversity of mammal species in the country. Keep your eye out for deer, armadillos, snakes, and bison!

Meet the Southwest’s Native Species

  • Informational sign about Peccaries (Javelina), also known as Dicotyies tajacu, describing their habitat, size, and social behavior, with conservation status indicator showing Endangered.
  • Information about mountain lions, including scientific name Puma concolor, their distribution in North, Central, and South America, their solitary nature, and their diet, with a conservation status gauge showing least concern.
  • Information panel about prairie dogs, including scientific name Cynomys ludovicianus, their role in ecosystems, and the fact that they are not dogs but American settlers called them dogs due to their barking warnings. The panel also features a conservation status gauge showing endangered.
  • Educational sign about the prong horn antelope, including scientific name, description, habitat, and conservation status, with a gauge showing least concern.
  • Informational sign about white-tailed deer with scientific name Odocoileus virginianus, describing coat color changes and running speed up to 40 mph, and indicating a conservation status of least concern.
  • Educational sign about wood ducks comparing male and female features, with a conservation status indicator (protected, MBTA) and text describing their appearance and migration.
  • Information card about Fallow Deer, including scientific name, characteristics, and conservation status, with a note about their introduction to Texas.
  • Educational sign about rastailed cats, including scientific name, physical features, behavior, and conservation status
  • Information card about bobcats, showing their scientific name, habitat, physical traits, and conservation status.
  • Information board about painted bunting, a North American bird with bright plumage, describing male and female differences and conservation status.
  • Educational sign about the widgeon, a type of dabbling duck, with information on its habitat, physical features, and conservation status.
  • Informational sign about mule deer, including scientific name Odocoileus hemionus, habitat, and unique movement behavior when startled, with a conservation status meter showing least concern.
  • Informational sign about the Diamondback Rattlesnake, including its scientific name Crotalus atrox, its venomous nature, skin shedding habits, and conservation status indicating least concern.
  • Information sign about the Roadrunner bird, including scientific name, habitat, physical traits, speed, and conservation status.
  • Informational sign about spiny lizards, including scientific name Scaloporus magister, their native habitat in North America, and their ability to detach their tails as a defense mechanism; conservation status gauge indicating least concern.
  • Informational sign about the Northern Bobwhite bird, including its scientific name, physical description, and conservation status indicator showing 'Near Threatened'.
  • An informational sign about Indigo Bunting, a small seed-eating bird of the cardinal family, with details about its habitat, behavior, and migration using the North Star.
  • Informational sign about Mallard ducks, including physical description and conservation status.
  • Educational sign about jackrabbits with facts on habitat, physical traits, and eye placement, including a conservation status gauge indicating least concern.
  • Sign about horned toad, or Phrynosoma cornutum, describing its characteristics, camouflage, legal protection in Texas, and conservation status.
  • Educational sign about coral snakes with information on their scientific name, size, coloration, and low conservation concern.
  • Informational sign about Bighorn Sheep, including scientific name Ovis canadensis, description of large horns and crossing over the Bering Land Bridge, with a conservation status meter showing least concern, and a note about sheep fighting.
  • Educational poster about bison featuring a description of the species, its subspecies, and its role in North American and European ecosystems, including information about its behavior and conservation status.
  • Educational infographic about coyotes, including scientific name, description of fur color and texture, and how to distinguish their tracks from those of dogs, with a conservation status gauge indicating least concern.
  • Information about Greater Prairie-Chicken, including its scientific name, description, unique features, and conservation status.
  • Info card about the Grey Fox, scientifically known as Urocyon cinereoargenteus, mentioning it is found across North and Central America and is the only dog family member that can climb trees.
  • Information card about armadillos, mentioning species, physical characteristics, reproductive facts, and conservation status.
  • Educational sign about the Canvasback duck, including its scientific name Athya valisinera, physical characteristics, and conservation status.
  • Information about the blackbuck, an exotic species from Texas, including physical characteristics, introduction history, and conservation status, with a note about the Rocky Mountain goat as the closest native antelope.
  • An informational sign about the wood duck, scientific name Aix sponsa, describing its migratory nature and physical appearance, including red eyes, iridescent plumage, and white neck flares, with a conservation status meter showing protected.
  • Educational sign about fallow deer, including scientific name, physical characteristics, native habitat in Eurasia, introduction to Texas, and conservation status indicating least concern.