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Wildlife In New Mexico – Choose from Zoos or Wilderness

New Mexico has its share of wildlife. Take a hike, a drive, or a bike ride and keep an eye out for the state’s fauna. Black bears roam the mountains and on cliffsides you can see bighorn sheep. In the southern deserts look for Mexican gray wolves, and if you are lucky you’ll spot a cougar, jaguar, or a coyote. Other native animals you might see are road runners, porcupines, skunks, deer, elk, kangaroo rats, pronghorn antelope, and western diamondbacks.

If you prefer to see wildlife under more controlled circumstances, New Mexico has a zoo for you. In Albuquerque, check out the ABQ BioPark Aquarium, which has a shark tank, polar bears, a Tasmanian devil, and botanical gardens. In Carlsbad, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens has local birds, snakes, curious deer, and hilarious prairie dogs. In Alamogordo, Alameda Park Zoo is great for families – there is an education center and a fun playground, and you can see the White Sands pupfish, a Mexican gray wolf, and birds of prey. In Edgewood, make sure to check out the Wild West Nature Park – it has a great horned owl, porcupine, roadrunner, golden eagle, a box turtle, and a black bear!

Albuquerque Aquarium

Spend the day explore at the Albuquerque Aquarium. You can view the wonderful collection of aquatic exhibits, like the Surf Zone, Salt Marsh, Gulf Coast Gallery, Jellies: Aliens from the Sea.

Don't miss Inside the Wreck, Touchpool and the Eel Cave: Snakes or Fishes. While you're there, watch the scuba divers feed the animals in the Coral Reef and Shark Tank.

Kids love to spend the night next to the 285,000 gallon shark tank in a special sleepover visit. They learn about the sharks' nighttime behavior and play games. Travelers in the Albuquerque region have fun exploring northwest New Mexico.

Albuquerque Biological Park

The largest city in the Land of Enchantment is Albuquerque. This vibrant city is not only home the University of New Mexico, but also home to the Albuquerque Biological Park.

This accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums keeps a focus on the environment with all four components: the Albuquerque Aquarium, the Rio Grande Zoo, the Biopark Botanical Garden and Tingley Beach.

Schedule plenty of time at these wonderful Albuquerque attractions. Enjoy strolling through the 36-acre Botanic Garden to see the variety of plants in the 10,000 conservatory.

Bring the kids to the Rio Grande Zoo to see over 250 species of animals. Spend an afternoon fishing, swimming or relaxing at Tingley Beach and don't miss the 285,000-gallon Shark Tank at the Albuquerque Aquarium.

Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge

The winter home for countless rare birds from the North, the Bosque del Apache Wildlife Refuge is located near the central New Mexico community of Socorro.

Hillcrest Park & Zoo

As the second largest zoo in New Mexico, the Hillcrest Park and Zoo encompasses 22.5 acres. Enjoy viewing the 150 mammals and over 300 species of birds in replicas of their natural habitats. Explore the park's 140 acres of land with basketball courts, playground equipment, sunken gardens and picnic areas.

Enjoy strolling through the Clovis Model Train Museum and the Southwest Cheese Plant, while visiting Clovis. Rest comfortably and stay close to the variety of area attractions, shopping and dining. Enjoy your time in southern New Mexico.

Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park

New Mexico features a wealth of impressive attractions. The Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park showcases over 40 animals species and hundreds of plants native to the Chihuahuan Desert of New Mexico.

Enjoy strolling through the aviary to see a variety of songbirds, owls, hawks, and turkeys. The 1.3 mile self-guided tour allows visitors to see the endangered gray wolves, the kit fox, badger, elk and bison. Be sure to visit the greenhouse to see the succulents and cacti from around the world, including the majestic saguaro.

The park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and also offers an outdoor classroom program guide for 3rd - 5th grade students. While in Carlsbad you'll have a hard time not enjoying southern New Mexico.

Red Rock Wildlife Area

Make the most of your next New Mexico visit. The Red Rock Wildlife Area is home to a population of desert bighorn sheep that are raised for release into the wild. The area is located along the Gila River, 24 miles from Lordsburg. The New Mexico Game and Fish Department manages the area and protects the animals within the refuge, including during hunting season.

Many sheep have been raised here and sent to other areas in New Mexico to start new populations of sheep. Visit the Shakespeare Ghost Town and the Steins RR Ghost Town while in Lordsburg, for a fun look into the past. During your southern New Mexico travels, see the Red Rock Wildlife Area and so much more.

Rio Grande Zoo

Residents and visitors in Albuquerque, have a wonderful variety of attractions to choose from, for a day of fun. One of the best ways to spend quality time together, is a day at the Rio Grande Zoo. Established in 1927, this zoo encompasses 64 acres of land in the Albuquerque Biological Park and is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Get acquainted with more than 200 species of animals in the zoo's various exhibits. The Africa habitat is not only home to giraffes, but also to African lions, cheetahs, gorillas and zebras. Make plenty of time to see the rest of the animals in the remaining exhibits – you'll have a blast exploring the ABQ area.