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