Carlsbad Caverns National Park, in southeastern New Mexico, is known for its extensive cave system and for wildlife both underground and on the surface. Its most famous residents are the Brazilian free-tailed bats, which fly out of the caverns in the evening to hunt insects. Above ground, the Chihuahuan Desert supports mule deer, coyotes and bobcats, along with raccoons, skunks and many kinds of rodents.
Birdwatchers can look for the cactus wren, greater roadrunner and golden eagle, and rattlesnakes, horned lizards and geckos live in the rocky desert. Inside the caverns, cave-adapted invertebrates such as spiders and crickets live in the dark, humid environment. Keep reading to see featured photos of Carlsbad Caverns’ wildlife and to learn more about wildlife photography.
Featured Carlsbad Caverns National Park Wildlife Photographs
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Wildlife Photography Tips
Wildlife photography in the US National Parks offers a unique and enriching experience, as these protected areas are havens for diverse species and pristine natural landscapes. Capturing wildlife in such settings requires preparation and respect for both the environment and its inhabitants. Photographers should familiarize themselves with the specific animals and ecosystems of the park they are visiting, as each park hosts different species and behaviors. Early mornings and late afternoons, known as the golden hours, provide the best light and increased wildlife activity. Different seasons also offer different wildlife viewing opportunities. Patience and stillness are key, as the best moments often come to those who wait quietly.
If wildlife does present itself, always make sure to maintain a safe distance. Using a telephoto lens allows for close-up shots without intruding on the animals’ space. If you already own or want to own a professional grade mirrored camera like the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV Full Frame Digital SLR, we recommend using a Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM Lens zoom lens for wildlife photography. If you have or are interested in a newer mirrorless model like the Canon EOS R5 Full-Frame Mirrorless Camera, we recommend using a Canon RF100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Black for long distance shots.
Not quite ready to invest in traditional professional-grade camera equipment but want to enhance the quality of your cell phone photographs? Consider using a Moment Tele 58mm Mobile Lens II for improved reach, and use a Moment camera case with a lens mount to attach it to your phone. Since cell phones generally cannot provide the same reach as a dedicated telephoto camera lens, never compensate by moving dangerously close to wildlife. As with any visit to a national park, it’s important to follow park regulations, practice “Leave No Trace” principles, and prioritize safety while photographing wildlife.
Want to take your wildlife photos further? Featured photographer Vella Torvik shares her field-tested advice on gear, camera settings, light, composition and safely approaching wildlife in our Wildlife Photography 101: Insider Tips From the Field masterclass.
Carlsbad Caverns Wildlife Education and Resources
Want to learn more about Carlsbad Caverns National Park and the wildlife that inhabits it? Check out these guides & books:
- Peterson Field Guide To Mammals Of North America: Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Western North America, Fifth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Bird Songs: 250 North American Birds in Song
- Peterson Field Guide To Western Reptiles & Amphibians, Fourth Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Peterson Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes, Second Edition (Peterson Field Guides)
- Animal Tracks: A Folding Pocket Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Familiar North American Species (Wildlife and Nature Identification)
Please note, by making purchases through our affiliate links, you are supporting our mission to celebrate and showcase our National Parks and the photographers who frequent them. As an Amazon Associate, National Park Photographer earns from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. We appreciate your support.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Species List
The wildlife at Carlsbad Caverns National Park is beautiful and diverse. There are a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish to view. Check out all the incredible species this park has to offer! Click on the links below to see the different animal species that inhabit Carlsbad Caverns National Park:
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Mammals
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Badger (Taxidea taxus) | Unknown |
| American Black Bear (Ursus americanus) | Unknown |
| Banner-tailed Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys spectabilis) | Unknown |
| Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus lervia) | Unknown |
| Big Brown Bat (Eptesicus fuscus) | Unknown |
| Big Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops macrotis) | Unknown |
| Black-tailed Jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) | Unknown |
| Bobcat (Lynx rufus) | Unknown |
| Botta’s Pocket Gopher (Thomomys bottae) | Unknown |
| Brazilian Free-tailed Bat (Tadarida brasiliensis) | Unknown |
| Brush Mouse (Peromyscus boylii) | Unknown |
| Cactus Mouse (Peromyscus eremicus) | Unknown |
| California Myotis (Myotis californicus) | Unknown |
| Cave Myotis (Myotis velifer) | Unknown |
| Chihuahuan Desert Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus eremicus) | Unknown |
| Collared Peccary (Pecari tajacu) | Unknown |
| Common Gray Fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) | Unknown |
| Coyote (Canis latrans) | Unknown |
| Crawford’s Desert Shrew (Notiosorex crawfordi) | Unknown |
| Deer Mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus) | Unknown |
| Desert Cottontail (Sylvilagus audubonii) | Unknown |
| Eastern Fox Squirrel (Sciurus niger) | Unknown |
| Eastern Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus subflavus) | Unknown |
| Eastern Red Bat (Lasiurus borealis) | Unknown |
| Eastern White-throated Woodrat (Neotoma leucodon) | Unknown |
| Elk (Cervus canadensis) | Unknown |
| Fringed Myotis (Myotis thysanodes) | Unknown |
| Gray-footed Chipmunk (Neotamias canipes) | Unknown |
| Hispid Cotton Rat (Sigmodon hispidus) | Unknown |
| Hispid Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus hispidus) | Unknown |
| Hoary Bat (Lasiurus cinereus) | Unknown |
| Kit Fox (Vulpes macrotis) | Unknown |
| Long-legged Myotis (Myotis volans) | Unknown |
| Long-tailed Weasel (Mustela frenata) | Unknown |
| Mearns’ Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys arenicola) | Unknown |
| Merriam’s Kangaroo Rat (Dipodomys merriami) | Unknown |
| Mexican Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus mexicanus) | Unknown |
| Mexican Woodrat (Neotoma mexicana) | Unknown |
| Mountain Lion (Puma concolor) | Unknown |
| Mule Deer (Odocoileus hemionus) | Unknown |
| Nelson’s Pocket Mouse (Chaetodipus nelsoni) | Unknown |
| North American Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum) | Unknown |
| Northern Grasshopper Mouse (Onychomys leucogaster) | Unknown |
| Northern Raccoon (Procyon lotor) | Unknown |
| Northern Rock Mouse (Peromyscus nasutus) | Unknown |
| Pallid Bat (Antrozous pallidus) | Unknown |
| Plains Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys montanus) | Unknown |
| Pocketed Free-tailed Bat (Nyctinomops femorosaccus) | Unknown |
| Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) | Unknown |
| Ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) | Unknown |
| Rock Squirrel (Spermophilus variegatus) | Unknown |
| Silky Pocket Mouse (Perognathus flavus) | Unknown |
| Silver-haired Bat (Lasionycteris noctivagans) | Unknown |
| Southern Plains Woodrat (Neotoma micropus) | Unknown |
| Spotted Ground Squirrel (Spermophilus spilosoma) | Unknown |
| Striped Skunk (Mephitis mephitis) | Unknown |
| Texas Antelope Squirrel (Ammospermophilus interpres) | Unknown |
| Townsend’s Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) | Unknown |
| Western Harvest Mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis) | Unknown |
| Western Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus hesperus) | Unknown |
| Western Small-footed Myotis (Myotis ciliolabrum) | Unknown |
| Western Spotted Skunk (Spilogale gracilis) | Unknown |
| Western White-throated Woodrat (Neotoma albigula) | Unknown |
| White-ankled Mouse (Peromyscus pectoralis) | Unknown |
| White-backed Hog-nosed Skunk (Conepatus leuconotus) | Unknown |
| White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) | Unknown |
| Yellow-faced Pocket Gopher (Cratogeomys castanops) | Unknown |
| Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) | Unknown |
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Birds
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Acorn Woodpecker (Melanerpes formicivorus) | Unknown |
| American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) | Unknown |
| American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus) | Unknown |
| American Coot (Fulica americana) | Unknown |
| American Crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) | Unknown |
| American Dipper (Cinclus mexicanus) | Unknown |
| American Goldfinch (Carduelis tristis) | Unknown |
| American Kestrel (Falco sparverius) | Unknown |
| American Pipit (Anthus rubescens) | Unknown |
| American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) | Unknown |
| American Robin (Turdus migratorius) | Unknown |
| American Tree Sparrow (Spizella arborea) | Unknown |
| American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) | Unknown |
| American Wigeon (Anas americana) | Unknown |
| American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) | Unknown |
| Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna) | Unknown |
| Ash-throated Flycatcher (Myiarchus cinerascens) | Unknown |
| Baird’s Sandpiper (Calidris bairdii) | Unknown |
| Baird’s Sparrow (Ammodramus bairdii) | Unknown |
| Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) | Unknown |
| Baltimore Oriole (Icterus galbula) | Unknown |
| Band-tailed Pigeon (Patagioenas fasciata) | Unknown |
| Bank Swallow (Riparia riparia) | Unknown |
| Barn Owl (Tyto alba) | Unknown |
| Barn Swallow (Hirundo rustica) | Unknown |
| Bay-breasted Warbler (Dendroica castanea) | Unknown |
| Bell’s Vireo (Vireo bellii) | Unknown |
| Belted Kingfisher (Ceryle alcyon) | Unknown |
| Bewick’s Wren (Thryomanes bewickii) | Unknown |
| Black Phoebe (Sayornis nigricans) | Unknown |
| Black Tern (Chlidonias niger) | Unknown |
| Black-and-white Warbler (Mniotilta varia) | Unknown |
| Black-bellied Whistling-duck (Dendrocygna autumnalis) | Unknown |
| Black-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus erythropthalmus) | Unknown |
| Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia) | Unknown |
| Black-capped Vireo (Vireo atricapilla) | Unknown |
| Black-chinned Hummingbird (Archilochus alexandri) | Unknown |
| Black-chinned Sparrow (Spizella atrogularis) | Unknown |
| Black-crowned Night-heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) | Unknown |
| Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) | Unknown |
| Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) | Unknown |
| Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura) | Unknown |
| Black-throated Blue Warbler (Dendroica caerulescens) | Unknown |
| Black-throated Gray Warbler (Dendroica nigrescens) | Unknown |
| Black-throated Green Warbler (Dendroica virens) | Unknown |
| Black-throated Sparrow (Amphispiza bilineata) | Unknown |
| Blackburnian Warbler (Dendroica fusca) | Unknown |
| Blackpoll Warbler (Dendroica striata) | Unknown |
| Blue Grosbeak (Passerina caerulea) | Unknown |
| Blue Jay (Cyanocitta cristata) | Unknown |
| Blue-gray Gnatcatcher (Polioptila caerulea) | Unknown |
| Blue-headed Vireo (Vireo solitarius) | Unknown |
| Blue-throated Hummingbird (Lampornis clemenciae) | Unknown |
| Blue-winged Teal (Anas discors) | Unknown |
| Blue-winged Warbler (Vermivora pinus) | Unknown |
| Bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) | Unknown |
| Brewer’s Blackbird (Euphagus cyanocephalus) | Unknown |
| Brewer’s Sparrow (Spizella breweri) | Unknown |
| Broad-billed Hummingbird (Cynanthus latirostris) | Unknown |
| Broad-tailed Hummingbird (Selasphorus platycercus) | Unknown |
| Broad-winged Hawk (Buteo platypterus) | Unknown |
| Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) | Unknown |
| Brown Creeper (Certhia americana) | Unknown |
| Brown Thrasher (Toxostoma rufum) | Unknown |
| Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) | Unknown |
| Bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) | Unknown |
| Bullock’s Oriole (Icterus bullockii) | Unknown |
| Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) | Unknown |
| Bushtit (Psaltriparus minimus) | Unknown |
| Cactus Wren (Campylorhynchus brunneicapillus) | Unknown |
| Calliope Hummingbird (Stellula calliope) | Unknown |
| Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) | Unknown |
| Canada Warbler (Wilsonia canadensis) | Unknown |
| Canvasback (Aythya valisineria) | Unknown |
| Canyon Towhee (Pipilo fuscus) | Unknown |
| Canyon Wren (Catherpes mexicanus) | Unknown |
| Cape May Warbler (Dendroica tigrina) | Unknown |
| Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus) | Unknown |
| Cassin’s Finch (Carpodacus cassinii) | Unknown |
| Cassin’s Kingbird (Tyrannus vociferans) | Unknown |
| Cassin’s Sparrow (Aimophila cassinii) | Unknown |
| Cassin’s Vireo (Vireo cassinii) | Unknown |
| Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) | Unknown |
| Cave Swallow (Petrochelidon fulva) | Unknown |
| Cedar Waxwing (Bombycilla cedrorum) | Unknown |
| Cerulean Warbler (Dendroica cerulea) | Unknown |
| Chestnut-collared Longspur (Calcarius ornatus) | Unknown |
| Chestnut-sided Warbler (Dendroica pensylvanica) | Unknown |
| Chihuahuan Raven (Corvus cryptoleucus) | Unknown |
| Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica) | Unknown |
| Chipping Sparrow (Spizella passerina) | Unknown |
| Cinnamon Teal (Anas cyanoptera) | Unknown |
| Clark’s Nutcracker (Nucifraga columbiana) | Unknown |
| Clay-colored Sparrow (Spizella pallida) | Unknown |
| Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) | Unknown |
| Common Black-hawk (Buteogallus anthracinus) | Unknown |
| Common Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula) | Unknown |
| Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) | Unknown |
| Common Ground-dove (Columbina passerina) | Unknown |
| Common Merganser (Mergus merganser) | Unknown |
| Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) | Unknown |
| Common Nighthawk (Chordeiles minor) | Unknown |
| Common Poorwill (Phalaenoptilus nuttallii) | Unknown |
| Common Raven (Corvus corax) | Unknown |
| Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas) | Unknown |
| Connecticut Warbler (Oporornis agilis) | Unknown |
| Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) | Unknown |
| Cordilleran Flycatcher (Empidonax occidentalis) | Unknown |
| Crissal Thrasher (Toxostoma crissale) | Unknown |
| Curve-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma curvirostre) | Unknown |
| Dark-eyed Junco (Junco hyemalis) | Unknown |
| Dickcissel (Spiza americana) | Unknown |
| Double-crested Cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus) | Unknown |
| Downy Woodpecker (Picoides pubescens) | Unknown |
| Dusky Flycatcher (Empidonax oberholseri) | Unknown |
| Dusky-capped Flycatcher (Myiarchus tuberculifer) | Unknown |
| Eared Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) | Unknown |
| Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) | Unknown |
| Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus) | Unknown |
| Eastern Meadowlark (Sturnella magna) | Unknown |
| Eastern Phoebe (Sayornis phoebe) | Unknown |
| Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus) | Unknown |
| Eastern Wood-pewee (Contopus virens) | Unknown |
| Elf Owl (Micrathene whitneyi) | Unknown |
| Eurasian Collared-dove (Streptopelia decaocto) | Unknown |
| European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) | Unknown |
| Evening Grosbeak (Coccothraustes vespertinus) | Unknown |
| Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) | Unknown |
| Field Sparrow (Spizella pusilla) | Unknown |
| Flammulated Owl (Otus flammeolus) | Unknown |
| Fox Sparrow (Passerella iliaca) | Unknown |
| Gadwall (Anas strepera) | Unknown |
| Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) | Unknown |
| Golden-crowned Kinglet (Regulus satrapa) | Unknown |
| Golden-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia atricapilla) | Unknown |
| Golden-winged Warbler (Vermivora chrysoptera) | Unknown |
| Grace’s Warbler (Dendroica graciae) | Unknown |
| Grasshopper Sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) | Unknown |
| Gray Catbird (Dumetella carolinensis) | Unknown |
| Gray Flycatcher (Empidonax wrightii) | Unknown |
| Gray Hawk (Buteo nitidus) | Unknown |
| Gray Vireo (Vireo vicinior) | Unknown |
| Gray-cheeked Thrush (Catharus minimus) | Unknown |
| Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) | Unknown |
| Great Crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus) | Unknown |
| Great Egret (Ardea alba) | Unknown |
| Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) | Unknown |
| Great Kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus) | Unknown |
| Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) | Unknown |
| Greater Pewee (Contopus pertinax) | Unknown |
| Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) | Unknown |
| Greater Yellowlegs (Tringa melanoleuca) | Unknown |
| Green Heron (Butorides virescens) | Unknown |
| Green-tailed Towhee (Pipilo chlorurus) | Unknown |
| Green-winged Teal (Anas crecca) | Unknown |
| Groove-billed Ani (Crotophaga sulcirostris) | Unknown |
| Hairy Woodpecker (Picoides villosus) | Unknown |
| Hammond’s Flycatcher (Empidonax hammondii) | Unknown |
| Harris’s Hawk (Parabuteo unicinctus) | Unknown |
| Harris’s Sparrow (Zonotrichia querula) | Unknown |
| Hepatic Tanager (Piranga flava) | Unknown |
| Hermit Thrush (Catharus guttatus) | Unknown |
| Hermit Warbler (Dendroica occidentalis) | Unknown |
| Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) | Unknown |
| Hooded Oriole (Icterus cucullatus) | Unknown |
| Hooded Warbler (Wilsonia citrina) | Unknown |
| Horned Lark (Eremophila alpestris) | Unknown |
| House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) | Unknown |
| House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) | Unknown |
| House Wren (Troglodytes aedon) | Unknown |
| Hutton’s Vireo (Vireo huttoni) | Unknown |
| Inca Dove (Columbina inca) | Unknown |
| Indigo Bunting (Passerina cyanea) | Unknown |
| Juniper Titmouse (Baeolophus ridgwayi) | Unknown |
| Kentucky Warbler (Oporornis formosus) | Unknown |
| Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) | Unknown |
| Ladder-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates scalaris) | Unknown |
| Lark Bunting (Calamospiza melanocorys) | Unknown |
| Lark Sparrow (Chondestes grammacus) | Unknown |
| Lazuli Bunting (Passerina amoena) | Unknown |
| Le Conte’s Sparrow (Ammodramus leconteii) | Unknown |
| Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) | Unknown |
| Least Flycatcher (Empidonax minimus) | Unknown |
| Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla) | Unknown |
| Lesser Goldfinch (Spinus psaltria) | Unknown |
| Lesser Nighthawk (Chordeiles acutipennis) | Unknown |
| Lesser Prairie-chicken (Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) | Unknown |
| Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) | Unknown |
| Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes) | Unknown |
| Lewis’s Woodpecker (Melanerpes lewis) | Unknown |
| Lincoln’s Sparrow (Melospiza lincolnii) | Unknown |
| Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus) | Unknown |
| Long-billed Curlew (Numenius americanus) | Unknown |
| Long-billed Dowitcher (Limnodromus scolopaceus) | Unknown |
| Long-billed Thrasher (Toxostoma longirostre) | Unknown |
| Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) | Unknown |
| Louisiana Waterthrush (Seiurus motacilla) | Unknown |
| Lucifer Hummingbird (Calothorax lucifer) | Unknown |
| Lucy’s Warbler (Leiothlypis luciae) | Unknown |
| MacGillivray’s Warbler (Geothlypis tolmiei) | Unknown |
| Magnificent Hummingbird (Eugenes fulgens) | Unknown |
| Magnolia Warbler (Dendroica magnolia) | Unknown |
| Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) | Unknown |
| Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) | Unknown |
| Merlin (Falco columbarius) | Unknown |
| Mississippi Kite (Ictinia mississippiensis) | Unknown |
| Montezuma Quail (Cyrtonyx montezumae) | Unknown |
| Mountain Bluebird (Sialia currucoides) | Unknown |
| Mountain Chickadee (Poecile gambeli) | Unknown |
| Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) | Unknown |
| Nashville Warbler (Vermivora ruficapilla) | Unknown |
| Neotropic Cormorant (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) | Unknown |
| Northern Beardless-tyrannulet (Camptostoma imberbe) | Unknown |
| Northern Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) | Unknown |
| Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) | Unknown |
| Northern Flicker (Colaptes auratus) | Unknown |
| Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) | Unknown |
| Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) | Unknown |
| Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) | Unknown |
| Northern Parula (Parula americana) | Unknown |
| Northern Pintail (Anas acuta) | Unknown |
| Northern Rough-winged Swallow (Stelgidopteryx serripennis) | Unknown |
| Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) | Unknown |
| Northern Waterthrush (Seiurus noveboracensis) | Unknown |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher (Contopus cooperi) | Unknown |
| Orange-crowned Warbler (Vermivora celata) | Unknown |
| Orchard Oriole (Icterus spurius) | Unknown |
| Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) | Unknown |
| Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapilla) | Unknown |
| Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris) | Unknown |
| Painted Redstart (Myioborus pictus) | Unknown |
| Palm Warbler (Dendroica palmarum) | Unknown |
| Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) | Unknown |
| Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens) | Unknown |
| Philadelphia Vireo (Vireo philadelphicus) | Unknown |
| Pied-billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps) | Unknown |
| Pine Siskin (Carduelis pinus) | Unknown |
| Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus) | Unknown |
| Pinyon Jay (Gymnorhinus cyanocephalus) | Unknown |
| Piratic Flycatcher (Legatus leucophaius) | Unknown |
| Plumbeous Vireo (Vireo plumbeus) | Unknown |
| Prairie Falcon (Falco mexicanus) | Unknown |
| Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor) | Unknown |
| Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea) | Unknown |
| Purple Finch (Carpodacus purpureus) | Unknown |
| Purple Martin (Progne subis) | Unknown |
| Pygmy Nuthatch (Sitta pygmaea) | Unknown |
| Pyrrhuloxia (Cardinalis sinuatus) | Unknown |
| Red Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) | Unknown |
| Red-bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus) | Unknown |
| Red-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta canadensis) | Unknown |
| Red-eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus) | Unknown |
| Red-faced Warbler (Cardellina rubrifrons) | Unknown |
| Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus) | Unknown |
| Red-naped Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus nuchalis) | Unknown |
| Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) | Unknown |
| Red-shouldered Hawk (Buteo lineatus) | Unknown |
| Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis) | Unknown |
| Red-winged Blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus) | Unknown |
| Redhead (Aythya americana) | Unknown |
| Ring-billed Gull (Larus delawarensis) | Unknown |
| Ring-necked Duck (Aythya collaris) | Unknown |
| Ring-necked Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) | Unknown |
| Rock Pigeon (Columba livia) | Unknown |
| Rock Wren (Salpinctes obsoletus) | Unknown |
| Rose-breasted Grosbeak (Pheucticus ludovicianus) | Unknown |
| Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) | Unknown |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet (Regulus calendula) | Unknown |
| Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) | Unknown |
| Ruddy Ground-dove (Columbina talpacoti) | Unknown |
| Rufous Hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus) | Unknown |
| Rufous-crowned Sparrow (Aimophila ruficeps) | Unknown |
| Rusty Blackbird (Euphagus carolinus) | Unknown |
| Sage Sparrow (Amphispiza belli) | Unknown |
| Sage Thrasher (Oreoscoptes montanus) | Unknown |
| Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis) | Unknown |
| Savannah Sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis) | Unknown |
| Say’s Phoebe (Sayornis saya) | Unknown |
| Scaled Quail (Callipepla squamata) | Unknown |
| Scarlet Tanager (Piranga olivacea) | Unknown |
| Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) | Unknown |
| Scott’s Oriole (Icterus parisorum) | Unknown |
| Sedge Wren (Cistothorus platensis) | Unknown |
| Semipalmated Sandpiper (Calidris pusilla) | Unknown |
| Sharp-shinned Hawk (Accipiter striatus) | Unknown |
| Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) | Unknown |
| Short-tailed Hawk (Buteo brachyurus) | Unknown |
| Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) | Unknown |
| Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) | Unknown |
| Solitary Sandpiper (Tringa solitaria) | Unknown |
| Song Sparrow (Melospiza melodia) | Unknown |
| Sora (Porzana carolina) | Unknown |
| Southwestern Willow Flycatcher (Empidonax traillii extimus) | Unknown |
| Spotted Owl (Strix occidentalis) | Unknown |
| Spotted Sandpiper (Actitis macularius) | Unknown |
| Spotted Towhee (Pipilo maculatus) | Unknown |
| Sprague’s Pipit (Anthus spragueii) | Unknown |
| Steller’s Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) | Unknown |
| Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra) | Unknown |
| Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) | Unknown |
| Swainson’s Thrush (Catharus ustulatus) | Unknown |
| Swainson’s Warbler (Limnothlypis swainsonii) | Unknown |
| Swamp Sparrow (Melospiza georgiana) | Unknown |
| Tennessee Warbler (Vermivora peregrina) | Unknown |
| Thick-billed Kingbird (Tyrannus crassirostris) | Unknown |
| Thick-billed Longspur (Calcarius mccownii) | Unknown |
| Townsend’s Solitaire (Myadestes townsendi) | Unknown |
| Townsend’s Warbler (Dendroica townsendi) | Unknown |
| Tree Swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) | Unknown |
| Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) | Unknown |
| Tropical Parula (Parula pitiayumi) | Unknown |
| Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) | Unknown |
| Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura) | Unknown |
| Upland Sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda) | Unknown |
| Varied Bunting (Passerina versicolor) | Unknown |
| Varied Thrush (Ixoreus naevius) | Unknown |
| Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps) | Unknown |
| Vermilion Flycatcher (Pyrocephalus rubinus) | Unknown |
| Vesper Sparrow (Pooecetes gramineus) | Unknown |
| Violet-green Swallow (Tachycineta thalassina) | Unknown |
| Virginia Rail (Rallus limicola) | Unknown |
| Virginia’s Warbler (Vermivora virginiae) | Unknown |
| Warbling Vireo (Vireo gilvus) | Unknown |
| Western Bluebird (Sialia mexicana) | Unknown |
| Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) | Unknown |
| Western Kingbird (Tyrannus verticalis) | Unknown |
| Western Meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) | Unknown |
| Western Sandpiper (Calidris mauri) | Unknown |
| Western Screech-owl (Megascops kennicottii) | Unknown |
| Western Scrub-jay (Aphelocoma californica) | Unknown |
| Western Tanager (Piranga ludoviciana) | Unknown |
| Western Wood-pewee (Contopus sordidulus) | Unknown |
| Whip-poor-will (Caprimulgus vociferus) | Unknown |
| White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) | Unknown |
| White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) | Unknown |
| White-crowned Sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys) | Unknown |
| White-eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus) | Unknown |
| White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) | Unknown |
| White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) | Unknown |
| White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis) | Unknown |
| White-throated Swift (Aeronautes saxatalis) | Unknown |
| White-winged Dove (Zenaida asiatica) | Unknown |
| Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) | Unknown |
| Willet (Tringa semipalmata) | Unknown |
| Williamson’s Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus thyroideus) | Unknown |
| Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) | Unknown |
| Wilson’s Snipe (Gallinago delicata) | Unknown |
| Wilson’s Warbler (Cardellina pusilla) | Unknown |
| Winter Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) | Unknown |
| Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) | Unknown |
| Worm-eating Warbler (Helmitheros vermivorum) | Unknown |
| Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) | Unknown |
| Yellow-bellied Sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius) | Unknown |
| Yellow-billed Cuckoo (Coccyzus americanus) | Unknown |
| Yellow-breasted Chat (Icteria virens) | Unknown |
| Yellow-crowned Night-heron (Nyctanassa violacea) | Unknown |
| Yellow-green Vireo (Vireo flavoviridis) | Unknown |
| Yellow-headed Blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) | Unknown |
| Yellow-rumped Warbler (Dendroica coronata) | Unknown |
| Yellow-throated Vireo (Vireo flavifrons) | Unknown |
| Yellow-throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica) | Unknown |
| Zone-tailed Hawk (Buteo albonotatus) | Unknown |
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Reptiles
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Big Bend Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora hexalepis) | Unknown |
| Big Bend Tree Lizard (Urosaurus ornatus) | Unknown |
| Blotched Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster transversa) | Unknown |
| Chihuahuan Greater Earless Lizard (Cophosaurus texanus) | Unknown |
| Chihuahuan Hook-nosed Snake (Gyalopion canum) | Unknown |
| Chihuahuan Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis exsanguis) | Common |
| Common Checkered Whiptail (Aspidoscelis tesselata) | Common |
| Common Side-blotched Lizard (Uta stansburiana) | Unknown |
| Desert Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula) | Unknown |
| Eastern Collared Lizard (Crotaphytus collaris) | Unknown |
| Gray-banded Kingsnake (Lampropeltis alterna) | Unknown |
| Great Plains Ratsnake (Elaphe emoryi) | Unknown |
| Great Plains Skink (Eumeces obsoletus) | Unknown |
| Marcy’s Checkered Gartersnake (Thamnophis marcianus) | Unknown |
| Mexican Hog-nosed Snake (Heterodon nasicus) | Unknown |
| Mottled Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus lepidus) | Unknown |
| Mountain Patch-nosed Snake (Salvadora grahamiae) | Unknown |
| New Mexico Threadsnake (Leptotyphlops dissectus) | Unknown |
| Northern Black-tailed Rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) | Unknown |
| Northern Crevice Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus poinsettii) | Unknown |
| Ornate Box Turtle (Terrapene ornata) | Unknown |
| Plains Black-headed Snake (Tantilla nigriceps) | Unknown |
| Red-eared Slider (Trachemys scripta) | Unknown |
| Ring-necked Snake (Diadophis punctatus) | Unknown |
| Rio Grande Cooter (Pseudemys gorzugi) | Unknown |
| Round-tailed Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma modestum) | Unknown |
| Smith’s Black-headed Snake (Tantilla hobartsmithi) | Unknown |
| Sonoran Gophersnake (Pituophis catenifer) | Unknown |
| Southwestern Fence Lizard (Sceloporus cowlesi) | Common |
| Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus) | Unknown |
| Texas Banded Gecko (Coleonyx brevis) | Unknown |
| Texas Horned Lizard (Phrynosoma cornutum) | Unknown |
| Texas Long-nosed Snake (Rhinocheilus lecontei) | Unknown |
| Texas Nightsnake (Hypsiglena torquata) | Unknown |
| Texas Spotted Whiptail (Aspidoscelis gularis) | Unknown |
| Trans-pecos Ratsnake (Bogertophis subocularis) | Unknown |
| Trans-pecos Striped Whiptail (Aspidoscelis inornata) | Unknown |
| Variable Groundsnake (Sonora semiannulata) | Unknown |
| Variable Skink (Eumeces multivirgatus) | Unknown |
| Western Black-necked Gartersnake (Thamnophis cyrtopsis) | Unknown |
| Western Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum) | Unknown |
| Western Diamond-backed Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) | Unknown |
| Yellow Mud Turtle (Kinosternon flavescens) | Unknown |
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Amphibians
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana) | Common |
| Couch’s Spadefoot (Scaphiopus couchii) | Unknown |
| Great Plains Toad (Bufo cognatus) | Unknown |
| Mexican Spadefoot (Spea multiplicata) | Unknown |
| Red-spotted Toad (Bufo punctatus) | Unknown |
| Rio Grande Leopard Frog (Rana berlandieri) | Unknown |
| Texas Toad (Bufo speciosus) | Unknown |
| Western Green Toad (Bufo debilis) | Unknown |
Carlsbad Caverns National Park Fish
| Name | Abundance |
|---|---|
| Green Sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) | Uncommon |
| Greenthroat Darter (Etheostoma lepidum) | Uncommon |
| Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) | Uncommon |
| Roundnose Minnow (Dionda episcopa) | Common |
| Western Mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) | Unknown |
Note: The wildlife species included in the lists above have been confirmed with the National Park Service to be present in Carlsbad Caverns National Park. Other species may exist in the park that are currently under review or not yet known.
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