Chihuahuan Desert Animals at the El Paso Zoo (and some other ones too!)

Javelina

Mexican gray wolf

The El Paso Zoo (open during the holidays, except December 25 and January 1) allows a close-up view of some of the animals of our Chihuahuan Desert ecosystem.  Pictured here are the Mexican wolf and javelina.   The Zoo is located on 35 acres of open space in El Paso and is a great place to visit with the family; it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Want to visit?  Click here to go to the Zoo's website, with more information about the animals, exhibits, and details about visiting!



You might have seen them from the road during your travels through the Texas Mountain Trail region...learn more about javelinas here.


The Mexican Gray Wolf used to roam our region, but is now nearly extinct in the lower 48.  Learn more about this animal from the US Fish & Wildlife Service, here.


What else can you see at the El Paso Zoo?  Take a look!

Can you spot the critters?

If you're escaping city life by visiting Far West Texas, sometimes it takes a little while to "settle in" and slow down enough to see all that is out here.  As you drive, or hike, or cycle through the Texas Mountains it is great fun to remember (and then look for) the wildlife that lives on the land.  From time to time you'll see mule deer or pronghorn antelope, or roadrunners or jackrabbits, or javelina.  Some of our mountains are home to bighorn sheep and mountain lions and bobcat.  Here's a prime example of what can be seen if you take a close look--can you see the javelinas on the hill?  They're up there!  Taken on the Scenic Loop southwest of Fort Davis.

Javelina

A great shot by Rhonda Tipton of Houston, javelina at Big Bend National Park!

Javelina on the Road

Collared peccaries, or javelinas, trotting across the road, a photo taken by Mark Donet of Alpine. For a closer view, click on the photo!

A native of the desert, these enjoy eating prickly pear cactus for its high water content. They have a musky scent, and you actually may smell a javelina before you see it.

For more information on animals of the desert, plan to visit one of our nature centers in the region, click here.