Otero County

Ecosystem Overview

The Otero County ecosystem supports 100 documented wildlife species across 90 taxonomic genera. Located in Otero County, Colorado, this area provides critical habitat with diverse natural communities. The location hosts 21 frequently observed species and 19 occasionally documented species, creating a balanced ecosystem with both resident and visiting wildlife. Compared to nearby La Junta, Otero County hosts 1567% more species diversity. This location ranks #1 for species diversity among 6 Otero County County natural areas, placing it in the 83th percentile for biodiversity.

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 6 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. La Junta

+1567% species diversity

Ecosystem Overview

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Biodiversity Highlights

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Species Distribution

Very Common‌

Common‌

Occasional‌

Rare‌

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

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Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Aphonopelma hentzi

Very Common9 obs.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

rope-pear

Very Common9 obs.

Calamospiza melanocorys

Lark Bunting

Very Common9 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

broadleaf milkweed

Very Common7 obs.

Euptoieta claudia

Variegated Fritillary

Very Common6 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Common6 obs.

Yucca glauca

small soapweed yucca

Common5 obs.

Quincula lobata

purple-ground-cherry

Common5 obs.

Cicindela punctulata

Punctured Tiger Beetle

Common5 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

White-Margined Spurge

Common5 obs.

Sceloporus consobrinus

Southern Prairie Lizard

Common4 obs.

Croton texensis

Occasional4 obs.

Cucurbita foetidissima

Missouri gourd

Occasional4 obs.

Sympetrum corruptum

Variegated Meadowhawk

Occasional3 obs.

Holbrookia maculata

Lesser Earless Lizard

Occasional3 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Occasional3 obs.

Cordillacris occipitalis

Western Spotted-Winged Grasshopper

Occasional3 obs.

Tropidolophus formosus

Rare3 obs.

Xanthippus corallipes

Redshanked Grasshopper

Rare3 obs.

Paranapiacaba tricincta

Rare3 obs.

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Most Common Species

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Get Your Personalized Field Guide

Download a professional PDF field guide featuring all the species found in Otero County. Perfect for outdoor adventures, education, and nature exploration.

$6.99

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Otero County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

La Junta

Importance: 0.45

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cheraw Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Rocky Ford

Importance: 0.27

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cheraw

Importance: 0.24

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Holbrook Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

2 species

+4900% vs. current

About This Comparison

These comparisons are based on documented wildlife observations from citizen science data. Locations with higher species counts may have more observation activity, different habitat types, or larger coverage areas. Regional rankings help identify biodiversity hotspots and unique natural areas within Otero County County.

Regional Comparison

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Regional Ranking

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Species Count

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vs. Regional Average

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Nearby Natural Areas

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Regional Comparison

Regional Ranking

100

Species Count

+1567%

vs. Regional Average

Compared to 5 nearby locations in Otero County County, Colorado

Nearby Natural Areas

La Junta

Importance: 0.45

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cheraw Lake

Importance: 0.35

14 species

+614% vs. current

Rocky Ford

Importance: 0.27

6 species

+1567% vs. current

Cheraw

Importance: 0.24

1 species

+9900% vs. current

Holbrook Reservoir

Importance: 0.20

2 species

+4900% vs. current

About This Comparison

Ecosystem Overview

Biodiversity Highlights

100

Total Species

Documented wildlife species

Genus Diversity

Taxonomic genera represented

Common Species

Frequently observed species

Rare Species

Occasionally documented species

Regional Rank

Out of 6 locations

Species Distribution

Very Common21 species

Common30 species

Occasional30 species

Rare19 species

Regional Context

Regional Ranking

#1 of 6 locations

83th percentile for diversity

vs. La Junta

+1567% species diversity

Most Common Species

Showing 20 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Aphonopelma hentzi

Very Common9 obs.

Cylindropuntia imbricata

rope-pear

Very Common9 obs.

Calamospiza melanocorys

Lark Bunting

Very Common9 obs.

Asclepias latifolia

broadleaf milkweed

Very Common7 obs.

Euptoieta claudia

Variegated Fritillary

Very Common6 obs.

Diabrotica undecimpunctata

Spotted Cucumber Beetle

Common6 obs.

Yucca glauca

small soapweed yucca

Common5 obs.

Quincula lobata

purple-ground-cherry

Common5 obs.

Cicindela punctulata

Punctured Tiger Beetle

Common5 obs.

Euphorbia marginata

White-Margined Spurge

Common5 obs.

Sceloporus consobrinus

Southern Prairie Lizard

Common4 obs.

Croton texensis

Occasional4 obs.

Cucurbita foetidissima

Missouri gourd

Occasional4 obs.

Sympetrum corruptum

Variegated Meadowhawk

Occasional3 obs.

Holbrookia maculata

Lesser Earless Lizard

Occasional3 obs.

Anaxyrus woodhousii

Woodhouse'S Toad

Occasional3 obs.

Cordillacris occipitalis

Western Spotted-Winged Grasshopper

Occasional3 obs.

Tropidolophus formosus

Rare3 obs.

Xanthippus corallipes

Redshanked Grasshopper

Rare3 obs.

Paranapiacaba tricincta

Rare3 obs.

Want the Complete Field Guide?

Get all 100 species with 3-4 high-quality images each, detailed descriptions, and a downloadable PDF for offline use.

Premium field guide includes identification tips, seasonal patterns, and professional layout optimized for field use.