- Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
Infobox zoo
zoo_name=Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park
location=Carlsbad,New Mexico , USA
area=1,500acre s (6.07 km²)
num_species=40
members=AZA
website=http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/EMNRD/Parks/LivingDesert.htmThe Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park (1,100 acres) , formerly the Living Desert Zoological and Botanical State Park, is a
zoo andbotanical garden displaying plants and animals of theChihuahuan Desert in their native habitats. It is located offU.S. Route 285 at the north edge ofCarlsbad, New Mexico , at an elevation of convert|3200|ft|m atop theOcotillo Hills overlooking the city and thePecos River . It is open every day except Christmas; an admission fee is charged.The zoo features more than forty native animal species, including
pronghorn ,badger ,bison ,bobcat s,mule deer , elk,kit fox ,gila monster ,mountain lion ,prairie dog s,reptile s, fourteen species ofsnake s, and Mexican gray wolves. An aviary containsgolden eagle s,hawk s,owl s, a roadrunner,songbird s, andturkey s. The gardens feature a greenhouse and hundreds of cacti and succulents from around the world, includingacacia ,agave , small barrel cactus,cholla ,ocotillo ,prickly pear ,saguaro ,sotol ("Dasylirion wheeleri "), andyucca .Self-guided trails (1.3 miles) lead through sand dunes, arroyos, and
pinyon pine /juniper forest.See also
*
List of botanical gardens in the United States External links
* http://www.emnrd.state.nm.us/EMNRD/Parks/LivingDesert.htm
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