Flora and Fauna of US-Mexico Area 

US-Mexico 
International
Peace Park
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Flora and Fauna

The long-tailed weasel is rarely seen in the international park area, but because of its secretive habits it may be more common than we think. Photo by Brent Wauer.

A more complete list of species coming later this year.  For a list of publications with more information visit www.bigbendbookstore.org

Mammals (over 80 species)

Mexican long-nosed bat (Leptonycteris nivalis).     Occurs in the United States only in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park.   Migrates to Mexico in the winter months.  Feeds on the nectar of the century plant and lechuguilla.

Spotted bat (Euderma maculatum).   Many consider this bat to be the most spectacular bat in North America.  More spotted bats have been recorded in Big Bend National Park than in any other area in the world.

Western mastiff-bat (Eumops perotis).  With a wingspread of 22 inches this bat is the largest bat in North America.  It has been recorded in the river canyons of the Rio Grande and the Sierra del Carmen and in the canyons of the Big Bend Ranch State Park.

Mexican black bear (Ursus americanus eremicus).  This species is very common in the mountains of northern Coahuila where in recent years bears have crossed the Rio Grande and helped to re-establish a population of over 20 bears in the Chisos Mountains of Big Bend National Park and the Deadhorse Mountains of the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area.

Mountain lion (Felis concolor).  The Peace Park's largest predator can be expected at all elevations throughout the region on both sides of the Rio Grande border.  In the Chisos Mountains at Big Bend National Park mountain lions prey upon the Del Carmen white-tailed deer, one of the smallest subspecies of white-tail in North America and an endemic species in the Peace Park area.

Desert bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis).  Over the past thirty year the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department has been actively reintroducing this species in the region mainly in the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area and other mountain ranges across West Texas.   Some of these animals wander into Big Bend National Park and may eventually cross the Rio Grande into the Sierra del Carmen range of northern Coahuila.

Plants (over 1500 species)

Ocotillo (Fouquieria splendens)

Giant Dagger (Yucca carnerosana)

Bear-grass (Nolina erumpens)

Texas Persimmon (Diospyros texana)

Allthorn (Koeberlinia spinosa)

Havard Agave (Agave havardina)

Drooping Juniper (Juniperus flaccida)

Alligator Juniper (Juniperus deppeana)