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Big Bend National ParkCholla and the red rocks in Blue Creek Canyon
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Big Bend National Park
Mammals
 
Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer
Ed Bollech
Carmen Mountains white-tailed deer in the Chisos Mountains.
 
Many visitors would be surprised to find out that 75 species of mammals inhabit the deserts and mountains of Big Bend National Park. Living in an area with high temperatures and low rainfall forces many animals to live extremely cautious lifestyles. Many leave their burrows only under cover of night. Others may forage during the cool of early the early morning. Larger mammals include whitetail and mule deer, coyote, mountain lion, and black bear. The snuffling you hear around your campsite at night may be a gray fox or a band of hungry javelina. Bats make up the largest portion of the park's mammal species. 20 different species have been observed here, including the endangered Mexican Long-nosed Bat, which has been found nowhere else in the entire United States.
Pine Canyon is great bear habitat
What is proper habitat?
Black bear have not always been in Big Bend National Park, have they returned home?
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Javelina
Javelina
Find out more about these fascinating animals!
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A mountain lion on the prowl
Mountain lions
Big Bend is cougar country!
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Ross Maxwell amid wildflowers, 1978  

Did You Know?
Late summer rains from July to October often bring a wildflower bloom in the autumn. Ross Maxwell, first superintendent of Big Bend National Park, said of the season, "personally, I enjoy the fall flowers and the fall coloring the best."

Last Updated: August 16, 2006 at 12:38 EST