Flora and Fauna
Despite its harsh desert environment, Big Bend has an amazing variety and number of plant and animal species. It has more than 1200 species of plants (including 60 cactus species), more than 600 species of vertebrates, and about 3600 insect species. The diversity of life is largely due to the diverse ecology and changes in elevation, ranging from the dry, hot desert to the cool mountains to the fertile river valley.
Most of the animals are not visible in the day, particularly in the desert. The park comes alive at night, with many of the animals foraging for food. About 150 Cougar (Puma concolor) sightings are reported per year, despite the fact that there are only a total of two dozen Cougars. Other species that inhabit the park include Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus), kangaroo rats (Dipodomys spp.), Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus), Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu), and Coyote (Canis latrans). Mexican Black Bears (Ursus americanus eremicus) are also present in the mountain areas.
The variety of cactus and other plant life add color to the Big Bend region. Cactus species in the park include prickly pear (Opuntia spp.), Claret Cup (Echinocereus coccineus) and Pitaya (E. enneacanthus). In the spring, the wildflowers are in full bloom and the yucca flowers display bright colors. Bluebonnets (Lupinus spp.) are prevalent in Big Bend, and white and pink bluebonnets are sometimes visible by the road. Other flowering plants such as the Desert Marigold (Baileya multiradiata), Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis), Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens), Rock Nettle (Eucnide urens) and Lechuguilla (Agave lechuguilla) abound in Big Bend.
The first U.S. record of the Northern Tufted Flycatcher (Mitrephanes phaeocercus), a Central American species, was from this site in November 1991. Birders also flock to the park as it is home to the only area in the United States within the breeding range of the Colima Warbler (Vermivora crissalis).
Read more about this topic: Big Bend National Park
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